The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-22

Rtua-ReductIon of the Southern
Representation a Haunting rear
Amonr the DemOcrats-It Must Be
Guarded Against.
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington. Feb. Ell fear my
Democratic brethren, in the Senate are
LAYING the foundation for future poliu-
cal trouble in the South by blindly fol-
lowing the leadership of Senator Quay
in his attempt to put the statehood bill
on the postoffice appropriation bill, as
a rider"
This very timely warning was sound
ed by Representative Bankhead OF
Alabama. one of the veteran Democrats
os the House, who has always occupied
a high position in the party councils.
Mr.. Bankhead was leaving the White
House. where he had been to consult
the President in the interest of some or
his constituents, and he appeared to be
in a meditative mood when l met him.
"I am afraid it is not good politics.
nor is it wise legislation continued MT.
Bankhead, for the Democratic party
10 go on record in favor of political
riders on general appropriation bills.
1t may come home to haunt us before
long, in connection with the constantly
growing desire on the part of the Re
publican leaders to reduce the con-
eressional representation from the
Southern states, as a result Of the pres
ent agitation of the race problem"
wherever two or more Republicans
get together to talk politics, and the
negro issue comes up" added Mr..
Bankhead, you will hear them declare
themselves in favor of reducing the
Southern representation in Congress,
as an offset to the Democratic disfran-
chisement of the negro voters in the
South. The President takes that posi-
ton, and he is backed up by the Re-
publican leaders, not only in the Sen
ate and House of Representatives, but
all along the Republican line. They
are, in my opinion, and l am not alone
in that belief, striving for a pretext or
a precedent, to attach a political rider
TO a general appropriation bill, which
will provide for a reduction of the
South's representation in Congress.
Secretary Root sounded the keynote Of
the administration policy on this sub
jet III Ills ItCtnl SpcCtil III 4NtN vi ~
on Lincoln's birthday. Senator Depew
echoed similar sentiments, in the Sem
ate, a few days ago, when he, with ap-
parent playfuness, warned the Demo-
cratic senators that they were indulging
in a dangerous Irritation with the fas-
cnating senator from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Quay in bindly following his
leadership on the statehood bill"
There are many other longheaded
and experienced Democratic leaders In
and out of Congress. who express views
similar to those of Mr.. Bankhead. on
this subject The Democratic rank and
file are sincere in their advocacy of the
admission of the three territories to
statehood through the regular legisla-
tive channels. but they sincerely be-
lieve that it is unwise and dangerous to
bind themselves to the doubtful con-
stitutional policy of attaching political
riders to general appropriation bills.
The political record of Senator Quay
clearly demonstrates that he is pro-
fessional politician. and in playing the
game of politics stops at nothing to
make a winning. When a political trick
is to be turned he is INSCRIPTIONS, re-
sourceful and even desperate, and il is
combination of these qualities which
render him all powerful in Pennsyl-
vania, and one of the most dangerous
and effective directors of the national
Republican organization.
When his personal or political inter-
ests are not seriously involved, he will
go the limit to show his liberality and
public spirit toward all sections of the
country. He has many warm personal
friends on the Democratic side of the
Senate chamber, and on more than one
occasion he has differed with a major
ity of his party on political ques-
tions, to keep faith with Democrats
seeking to carry out the desires of their
direpfinn Of
legislation.
1t is not the intention of the Repub-
lican leaders to try to provide for the
reduction of the Southern representa-
tion during present session of Congress,
but II is firmly believed that the stub
ject will be brought forward early in
the new Congress. over which the Re-
publicans have control The political
atmosphere at the White House. the
cabinet offices, the Capitol and wher-
ever Republican partisans congregate,
is heavily charged with demands for
reduction of the South's representation
in Congress.
Any one who attempts to talk South
ern politics with the President quickly
learns that the latter favors a reduc-
ton in representation unless the ne
groes are allowed to cast their ballots
and have them fairly counted The
same views are expressed by Secretary
Root, Attorney General Knox, Secre-
tary Moody and Postmaster General
Payne. The latter is probably the most
extreme member of the administration
on this subject. His long connection
with the Republican National Commit
tee. has been rendered conspicuous by
his persistent efforts to induce the past
four National Republican conventions
TO pass resolutions favorable to negro
voters in the South or a reduction of
representation in Congress.
Senator Quay has nothing to lose by
committing himself to the policy to po-
ntlcal riders on appropriation bills
There may be more truth than humor
in Senator Depew's recent description
OF the Irritation of Mistress Demo-
cracy. He convulsed the galleries when
he said in a playful way:
Il want to say to that old lady of
Democracy who is so frequently typi-
fled IN picture and in caricature that
while she is still young. still frisky and
still attractive, and while she has been
successful in her flirtations for a hum
dred years, flirting with the green
backer and capturing him, flirting with
the Popultst and capturing him, flirt-
ing with the silverite and absorbing
him, that when she undertakes this
most dangerous Irritation with that
most dangerous and fascinating gem
tleman. whom she is now following
the Senator from Pennsylvania-she is
in more danger than she ever was in