The Washington times., 1902-04-14
Fear Republican Leaders
May Spring Crumpacker
Resolution.
SUFFRAGE LAWS THE GOAL
Anticipate Action at Last Moment to
Shut Off Debate - Negro Politicians
Urge That Something Be Done at Once

During the past week or ten days the
report has been assiduously circulated
that the Crumpacker resolution direct
ing the Speaker to appoint a select COM
mite of thirteen to investigate the cleo
ton laws of the several States and ascer-
tain what, ii any. citizen of twenty-one
years of age was disfranchised for any
reason other than crime. and to recon-
mend such legislation to reduce the rep
resentation of such State, was dead, and
that it would not be heard of again this
session.
1t was also stated that the resolution
would not be reported to the House be-
cause it could not command enough Re
publican votes to insure its adoption
The Democrats, however. do not accept
these statements which have emanated
from the Republican side of the House.
for the tip" was out last evening that
the Republicans intend to spring a coup
on the Crumpacker resolution.
''Ail this talk that the Republicans have
abandoned the mischievOus Crumpacker
resolution does not fool US a little bit, -
said Representative d. Linn Gooch of Ken
lucky last night in the lobby of the Nor
mandie. The fact should not be forgot
ten that by strict party vote the Com
mittee on Rules agreed to report the
Crumpacker resolution and Representa-
tive Grosvenor was directed to make the
report to the House. That he has not
done go does not mean that the Commit
tee on Rules has reconsIdered its action
On the contrary, the resolution is in the
keeping of Mr. Grosvenor. and he may
make the report at any time.
Holds His Counsel.
He has not said. so far as l can ascer
tain. that he does not intend to report
the resolution. | was informed by news
paper correspondent yesterday that in an
swer to a question Mr.. Grosvenor said
he did not know when he would report
the resolution.
General Grosvenor is a very shrewd
politician; indeed. he may be said to be
the shrewdest politician On the Republi-
can side of the House. And while I can
not say it is a fact, 1 believe nevertheless
that the whte-haired gentleman from
catch the Democrats mapping and then
spring the Crumpacker resolution aad take
snap Judgment. / hear from various
sources. which / consider reliable, that the
negro voters in Illinois, Indiana. Ohio.
and Pennsylvania are very restless. and
they want to know what the Republicans
intend to do with the Crumpacker reso-
luton.
Word. it is said, has been sent to the
quiet and wait; that there is plenty Of
time. and that the session is still young.
Now to a man IN tree this means If
it doesn't take place sooner that after
the Republicans have passed all the ap-
preparation bills and such party legiSla
ton as they desire and the day has been
fixed for the final adjournment General
Grosvenor will offer the Crumpacker res
olution. move the previous question. and
BY a strict party vote it will be adopted.
No Chance for Debate.
"Of course. under such circumstances
and the Republicans would not make much
campaign thunder, but it would have
some effect on the negro vote in the
States I've named. and in those States
the Democrats this fall will unquestion-
ably make a few gains.
when the Committee on Rules recon
siders its vote by which the Crumpacker
resolution was ordered reported to the
House. then, and not till then. viii I
believe that the Republicans have aban-
doned their purpose to investigate the
suffrage laws of the Southern States that
have amended their respective State con-
situations. This year the Republicans are
apprehensive of the negro vote, and they
are willing to resort to desperate methods
to keep the blacks in line. No matter
what the Republicans may do the next
House will be surely Democratic by
safe working majority
An Able Organizer
Mr.. Gooch is Kentucky's representative
in the Democratic Congressional Cam
paign Committee. He is one OF the best
organizers in the Bluegrass State. He
says there is no question that the
Crumpacker resolution will play a most
important part in the coming campaign
especially in the Southern states. where
the late President McKinley's policy had
made much Roadway.