Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-26
SAYS NGGRV DIsFRANcHIsEMENT
WOULD SOLVE LOCAL OPTION

To the Editor Of The Journal:
In a Communication to The Journal OF
last Saturday Rev. Sam p. Jones made
the following declarations:
'T say again that l will never be a
local optionist so long as the scenes en-
acted in Bibb county during the local
option fight there is possible. II the
question Of the sale of liquor, or no sale,
can be left to the white primary just as
the democrats have every other less Inn
portant matter, then I will join the local
option ranks, but so long as the ire
sponsible negro voters are rallied by the
liquor gang and driven like sheep TO the
of our God-fearing, praying women who
are working around the polls to save
their homes and boys, so long l will
fight for state prohibition"
While 1 supported Mr.. Terrell in the
recent primary, and while favor the
principle Of local option, because !. be-
lieve 1t to be democratic-local self-gov-
ernment-and because 1 believe that a
law thrust upon a section that is repug-
nant to the public sentiment Of that sec
ton is dead letter, yet heartily agree
with Mr.. Jones In the sentiment that IT
is a crying shame and a disgrace to the
fair name of Georgia to rally irrespon-
sible negro voters to the polls singing
ribald songs in the ears of our God-fear-
ing, praying women But believe this
evil can be successfully remedied with
out manning the principle of local self
government. II Mr.. Jones and other in
iuential leaders of Georgia would take
up the fight OF negro disfranchisement
which was started in this state three
years ago by Washington county's gifted
and gallant son, Thomas w. Hardwick,
and push 1t with the energy and vigil
lance with which they are capable the
day would not be far distant when raj
lying irresponsible negro voters to the
polls, thereby thwarting the will of the
white people, would be a thing of the
past in old Georgia.
The majority of the white people of this
state are in favor of negro disfranchise-
ment, and will so register their verdict
,upon every opportunity offered. The re-
cent result in the tenth district was but
an endorsement of the noble and fear
less fight made by Mr.. Hardwick along
this line in the legislature. Congress
man Fleming is a good man; he made
for his constituents a splenC-d represen-
tative: was always fair and impartial
In his treatment of the populists, many
of whom were his active and ardent
supporters in the recent contest, and
do not belive,& in fact 1 think II unjust
to charge, that his >defeat was brought
about by a spirit of revenge upon the
part of the populists OF his district. he
was opposed to Mr.. Hardwick's negro
acknowledgements bill. and that was made
a clear-cut issue in the campaign, and
the verdict was against Mr.. Fleming.
Being a former resident Of the tenth and
having mingled with the voters of the
country counties of that "storm-tossed''
district. / make the above statement with
a feeling of absolute assurance of its
correctness.
And why shouldn't Georgia fall in line
with her sister states. South Carolina,
North Carolina Alabama, Louisiana and
Mississippi by disfranchising the ire
sponsible and purchasable negro voters.
For years the offices have been purchased
from this class of voters by the highest
bidders. A candidates chance of success
depended entirely upon the size - HIS
pocketbook.
True, the white primaries are giving
present relief but in my opinion II Is
only temporary. White primaries will not
prove a success always In the course
of a few years there will arise dissat-
isfied element, chagrined by re9eated dis
appointrnent in the result Of these prl-
marfes, candidates independent TO the
white primary nominee viii be declared.
and the irresponsible negro will again,
play mis- disgraceful part in politics.
But the above Is not the only reason