The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-12
SOUTHERNERS ANGRY.
Senator Depe1 Attacked for Mention
ing Unfair Election Laws.


WASHINGTON. April 11-some remarks
which Mr.. Depew. of New York. made yes
terday concerning the proposed amendment
to the Constitution providing for the cleo
ton of senators by popular vote. in the
course of which he adverted to Southern
election methods. precipitated a lively
three hours debate in the Senate to-day.
Mr.. Money. Of Mississippi. to whose State
reference had been made by the New York
senator, replied tartly to some Of the state
ments of Mr.. DepeW, and defended the
suffrage clauses in the Mississippi Consti-
tuition. Mr.. Depew made a warm reply,
and attacked the election methods not only
of Mississippi. but of several other South
ern States. He intimated that if fair meth
DDS were employed in these States Repub-
hcan senators would be here as their rep
resentatives His remarks drew a sharp
fire from several senators. Mr.. Money and
Mississippi election methods, and Mr.. Sim
MONS of North Carolina, pointed out that
Mr. Depew had been entirely mistaken
about the operation of the Constitution of
that State, and his statements were errone-
Gus. Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky, warmly
arraigned the New York senator for his
comments on Kentucky elections. defended
what is known as the GOebel election law,
and asserted that the New York senator
was not Informed as to the facts of Ken
lucky politics.
taken up an agreement was reached that
a vote should be taken on Ii next Wednes-
day at l o'clock. Mr.. Teller, of Colorado,
supported the measure in a brief speech
maintaining that ii was necessary and that
II was not in cOntravention of our treaty
obligations with China
In the course of his reply to Mr.. Money,
Senator Depew declared that the registra-
ton boards in Mississippi were selected
practically from one party and for one par
ticular purpose viz: To prevent the negro
Nrnff inc rho h.,o
could satisfy the registration boards that
they were qualified to vote. That was the
kind or popular vote said he, by which
United States senators would be sent here
serve only TO precipitate agitation in the
Senate chamber. If, ne suggested, a change
was TO be made in the method of electing
senator's, then the electorate must be kept
entirely pure and free from any suggestion
of unfairness. He declered that If there
were manhood suffrage in Virginia, Ken
lucky and North Carolina there would be
Republican senators in this chamber from
those States. He said there had been no
fear Of negro domination in North Caro-
lima. yet for the purpose of keeping Senator
and to secure a Democratic senator in the
place of Mr. Butler [Populstl. and for no
other reason, the grandfather clause was
inserted in the new constitution of that
State. He sharply criticised the Goebel
election law in Kentucky. by which he said
Mr.. Taylor was deprived of the governor
boards of registration in Mississippi de-
termined the result OF any election before
the vote was cast Personally, he did not
believe, and other Republican senator's did
not believe. that 5000 votes in Mississippi
should count for as much 1900 600 votes
in New York.
Mr. Blackburn. in his speech. likened the
New York senator to the animal who is
used as a smile when dispOTting himself
in a china shop. He characterized the ac-
ton Of Mr.. Depew in precipitating a dis
cussion OF the pending question ian IN
precedented performance. Perhaps -
said he, 1T was because the junior senator
from New York wanted TO be the first TO
wave the bloody shirt In this discussion
and to threaten certain commonwealth
with loss OF representation in Congress. -
He read from the stenographic report of
Mr.. Depews remarks about Kentucky
premium 10 anybody who would find a
solitary statement with reference To Ken
lucky in the senator's speech which was
true. 1t is all. he asserted. the product
OF an eXuberant fancy with which the SEN
ator from New York has long been cred
tied"
Mr. Blackburn entered upon an elaborate
discussion Of the elections and election laws
of Kentucky and maintained that the
Goebel election law had been sustained by
the Supreme Court OF Kentucky. He
blackburn was willing To stand that
judgment He said he would not under
take 10 learn his law lat the hands of a
worthy. distinguished and conspicuous
corporation and railroad attorney" No
body, he said. had maintained that the
Goebel election law was unjust or unfair.
II have been informed interrupted Mr..
Depew. that one-third of the vote OF the