The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-03-26
THE BLOODY SHIRT.
The Republicans Raise it Aloft in Con
gress Once More.
WILL HELP THE DEMOCRATS.


special dispatch from Washington
to the Atlanta Journal says since the
Republican leaders have determined to
force through the Crumpacker resolu-
ton for an Investigation OF the suf-
fragc.QueStion as it affects the south
crn representation in the house. it has
become clearly evident that this move
OF the majority means a repetition of
the old Force bill fight ana revival
or the sectional bitterness of recon-
struction days.
The supporters Of the measure have
made no concealment OF their desire to
utilize it for purely partisan ends
This is particularly true OF certain
western representatives, who seek to
solidify the negro voters i'm their dis
trictS. Conservative Republicans, such
as Cannon, at first arrayed themselves
Stoutly against any such legislation.
and the speaker himself took but
pcrfunctory interest in the proposition
and only ceased when policy Of CON
citation became necessary on account
OF the row over the Cuban tariff.
The Democrats will fight the reSo-
| luton vigorously, beginning with the
presentation OF the rule Of the house.
They believe that If SO radical step
is at once taken the majority will not
hesitate TO go even to greater ex-
tremeS to insure control OF the house
in the next congress. The Democrats
will probably consider their plan OF ac-
tion in caucus, and it is said they may
agree to stop the regular procedure of
the house by tillibustering. The sud-
den change in the attitude OF the Re
publicans toward this resolution is re-
garded as full OF significance, coming
as it does at a time when the prospects
OF the Democrats electing the next
house are admittedly bright.
The Post today publishes views on
the action Of the Republican leaders,
as follows:
David b. Hill says: The proposed
investigation will De fruitlesS, and will
not injure the Democratic party. OF
course it should be opposed because it
is partisan and unnecessary. 1t in
dicates desperation which is ominous.
III the Investigation should be followed
by an attempt TO enact a federal cleo
tion law. the effect will he to unite
| the Democratic party north, south.
east and west as nothing else cnnld do
n dl 1so.S % ''f'rrii9 on the end
OF Republican national rule
w. j. Bryan says: IF the inveSti-
cation of election methods includes
northern elections as we'll as southern
there ought to be no objection. but an
investigation that ignored the fraud
practiced in the Hanna senatorial
election and in the Pennsylvania elec-
tionS would be unfair. The commit
tee should also investigate the coercion
practiced by employers and bankers. as
well as fraud practiced on black men.
An investigation to be valuable must
not be partisan"
Senator German says: The entire
country will be amazed at the ex-
treme radical partiSanship embraced
in the action taken today. 1t is pro-
posed TO stir up sectional animOSitieS
at time when all thoughtful men of
every party in the country recognize
that the problem of the Sutrerage Of the
south must be adjusted by the people
of the states where the great negro
! population exists. The business
interests of this country will resent
this effort to create political strife
as they did when il wad attempt
e" during the SpeakerShip of Mr..
! Blaine and again in 1890, when
! the whole country protested against
the force bill: This latest attempt
can only be accounted for i'm one way.
! The Republicans fear the defeat OF
their party in the next congressional
elections OF the issues they have made,
growing out Of the Philippine ques-
tion and the enormous expenditure OF
the government. Therefore. they have
seen fiji to array the north against the
south. Business interests will resent
this wanton and unnecessary agitation
! The Democrats must fight this propo-
Sition from now until the end OF this
congress. They must fight, and fight,
and fight"
! Henry WatterSon says: Il have
thought and hoped the Republicans
were done with the bloody shirt, at
least us far as far south is con-
cerned. 1t has always done them
more harm than 1t has done us. The
only effect OF It's revival now viii be to
unite the Democrats and frighten the
conservative element of the north and
east. Millions OF dollars have gone
south the last five or six years. This
movement will be regarded as direct
attack upon those millions. Both
sections yearned for peace. At last
they have got it. This proposal TO
/ rip open the old wound is an assault
] hn Of 4
for what? Under what pretext? why,
the negro vote fungus vote car
rying no moral weight, but on the
other hand, the occasion OF incalcul-
able corruption"
The President In Charleston.