Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-05
SOUTHERN REPRESENTATION.

SOUTHERN REPRESEN TATION.
1t is doubtful If congress will act upon
any of the measures proposed dealing
with southern representation. The dis
position shown in the republican col
gressional caucus was clearly favorable
to q cautious and conservative treat
ment of the matter. The republicans
appreciate fully the wrong and injustice
Of the Acknowledgement Of colored cIti-
zens in the south. They realize the dan
gerous nature Of this notification of the
constitutional amendments giving the
suffrage to colored citizens. They feel
that something should be done to corr
rect the wrong and to put an end to the
unequal and unjust representation situa-
ton In the southern states where dis
reimbursement exists. But they also
realize, as was pointed out by Mr.. Can
non in the caucus, that difficulties would
be encountered In applying a remedy
and that the agitation and feeling which.
would be aroused might have serious
consequences for the country.
On the opening day of congress a reso-
luton was introduced in the house pro-
viding for an investigation as to houisi-
ana's right to representation for the dis
Ifranchised colored population of that
state. In reference to this the author
of the resolution, Mr.. Moody of Massa-
chuBetts, said the question it related to
strikes at the very foundation of a repub-
lican form of government. Subsequently
bills We're introduced to cut down
representation IN the. southern states
where the negro has been DISTINGUISHED.
There was disclosed so much difference
of opinion among republican representa-
tives with regard to details that it was
found necessary to call a caucus with a
view to securing unanimity upon one of
the several measures and to agree on a
plan for its consideration. The caucus
Monday night did not give promise that
unanimity can be secured and it is quite
probable that the caucus to be held next
week will have q like result. A good
fdesl may depend upon the presidents
NATFFpVA OiC 4uCoL1Ohs 4AEAC 10 III utu-
Mite information In regard to this, but at
the time the matter was first referred
to ia congress it was said that Mr..
Roosevelt would not take any hand in
the movement to reduce the representa-
ton of the south in congress. 1t was
then stated that the president held the
same views as to the south as did MI.
Mckinley and would not stir up sec
tional feeling by agitating any change in
the representation of the southern
states. If this was correct it is safe to
assume that the influence of the ad-
m~inistration will be exerted against the
movement, which would be pretty GER
tain to defeat 1t.
The states Of the south where the col
ored citizens are DISTINGUISHED by force
or fraud or constitutional enactment
have about forty seats in congress and
as many votes In the electoral college
based on this disfranchised vote. No
one will claim that this is just and IL the
language of the constitution means any
thing 1T is not constitutional. All men
who respect the DEGREES of the constitu-
ton, all citizens who recognize the dan
ger to u political institutions involved
in this injustice and this notification of
a part Of the organic law, must feel
that the wrong should be remedied. But
1t is a condition that presents grave diff
%culties and conservative men hesitate to
attempt the application of a remedy that
would certainly revive sectional hatred
and possibly produce conditions hurtful
to the peace and welfare of the country.
This was evidently the controlling feel.
ing in the republican congressional
caucus.