The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-16
ABRIDGED NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
REPTBLICAN CLUB RESOLtTiON'
on THE SOLID SOUTH.
Abridged Representation in Congress NO.
Called For Now. but Congress Aske''
to Inquire and Act-RooSeve't rraise"
--yhNO's Name Not NOted W''

in the South has been brought up at each
Meeting of the Republican Club. Last
night, at large gathering in the new rouse
in West Fortieth street. the resolutions
offered some time ago by A. B. Humphrey
urging Congress to make enective the
amendments TO the Constitution which cover
the right of suffrage, were the subject OF
report by the committee on national az
fairs. After a long review Of conditions IN
the South the report said:
Our cordial sympathy is extended 70
every community struggling with oe
based or ignorant suffrage. and we sheulo
franchise throughout The repubhc' OF
course without distinction OF class But
In those States whose Constitutions com
prise what is known as the grandfather
clause, the intent to discriminate against
the negro could not have been made more
niain II his exclusion from the suffrage
had been expressed in the most specihc
and descriptive terms The CoRstitltions
of three other States are substantially
on this model, and the Constitutlon!s OF
nine States were declared III force "Nhou'
submission to the people. ~ ,o,.d !,
For some years past we have heard ~
asserted that the elimination Of the negro
from politics, and only that, can brak
the solid South. And the st'angest thing
in the whole controversy is to near leaal ,
ment; deploring the fact that the South
is held solidly Democratic. urging that the
RAPIDLY developing industries OF that sec
ton need the Republican policy OF protec-
ton; that hut for the color question the
the south; and yet, themselves joining with
the Democrats to take the ballot from the
negro the only class that can be reIed
upon TO vote the Republican ticket, IN Pfesi-
dental campaigns at least, and give II 70
IL: ann
to vote for the Democratic policy OF idie-
ness and stagnati n. ,..,
We are Republicans. We. it is not as politi-
cal partisans, but as citizens OF the Repub-
lie, anxious about it's future that we APP
proach this subject. on the. high plane of
Justice and humanity. And yet there are
some things which, as Republicans: we
have a right. and are bound to consider.
We entertain no i'll will toward any section
and deplore the necessity Of giving b NEED to
the political disadvantages OF the present
situation IL persuaded that the higher claims
Of patriotism required it. But it cannot
be expected of men. actuated by hlgh
moral sense Of duty to a party when, IN
protect the Republic against industrial
PARALYSIS and financial ruin, to remain silent
when rs domain is invaded by methoos
in fragrant violation OF right and Justice
and the commands OF the Const tS .h;.,,
the Democratic party plays. One hundred
and twelve votes are assured to them in
every Presidential election by methoos
abhorrent to every conception OF justice
or fair dealing. These we nave 70 oh ,
before the chances are even. In the cleo
ton OF 1900 the Ave States OF Alabama.
Georgia. Mississippi, Louisiana and South
Carolina, with forty-two Congressman. cast
400 40 votes. an average OF l0,8S5 per dis
trict, while the Ave States of Minnesota.
U;.xoo,;n Califorpia Kansas and Mary
land, with forty-two Congressman. cast
l,6Sl, 285 votes. an average OF 40 oSO per
district, The average per district in Louis
lana and South Carolina, with twenty-five
Kansas and Maryland, with twenty-five,
The ss se a as.rSS per oa s
trict in New York was H,lAs
In the. matter OF representatioll, on me
North and South Carolina only colored
illiterates are excluded. the loss Of repre-
senta.ives by the enforcement OF the Four
tenth Amendment would be, to the North
two, and thirteen 10 the South.
The claim is put forth by many THAT Con-
gress has power to exclude from the House
all persons claiming seats therein from
States whose Constitutions are in conflict
with the Constitution OF the United States,
and it seems probable that on fair con-
struction this opinion would be sustained.
The committee, however, does not deem ii
advisable to raise this question at this
time.
In view Of the premises, and in order that
the Constitution may be INDICATED and
and invokes the adoption of the following
resolutions
Whsreas. II is understood and admitted
that In certain States Of the United States
are Soee Of 10 yq c
Represeniatiys. in Congress, tie Executive
members Of the legislatures thereof. or have
had said risht abridged on grounds other
Resoired. That while acknowledging the
authority and approving its exercise in any
OF iiliterates from the franchise. subject TO
the condition expressed in. the Fourteenth
Amendment We insist that all such provisions
'i sessreS 7 Tha 1' the Rp"bissa c"b Of tn.
sy Of sb.2 Whats IND
* msSs vim ,he y|sr ' I'd dstsr5nine Pos
BE- taken thereon as the law and the facts
ny s. sst1 Ths. tn. press, and q. tn. moral
urged 70 use thel, earnest Effort. TO remove
Reso'prd. That the Repub lican Club send
greeting to its honored member, the President
Of the United States; declares lie unqualified
approval of his spirited campaign to purify
to extend the equal protection Of the lawe
to every citizen however humble. and his
mighty shade OF Lincoln that any man
who 10 good enough TO shed his blood for the
country 10 good enough to be given q square
deal aiterward. More than that no man
70 entitled to, and less than that no man shall
have"
B. Pratt Brown thought the reference to
the Presidents campaign to purify the
public service was not relevant to the sub.
jeot OF the report, and on his motion II was
stricken out.
Later a separate resolution was offered
and passed. which said:
Reached. That the Republican Club do
elares ne unqualified endorsement Of the
Presidents spdrited campaign 70 purity the
public service.
'~1hs negro suffrage resolutions presented