New-York tribune., 1903-04-17
WISE MODERATION.
Editor Of the Tribune.

To the Editor OF the Tribune.
Sir: Your able editorial on April L. wise MOD
Grafton" leads me to again offer 10 1ntruoe upoh
your valuable space.
You say TT is not TO be denied that the North
is wronged by Southern over-representation' ana
the incentive for Republicans TO secure for their
voters the same power. man for man, helo oy
Southern Democrats is natural and strong
Permit me to say the South has no 'over-repre-
sentation" Representation in Congress Is paseo Oh
popuIatjon and not the number Of votes cast AT
the election. The number Of representatives IS
fixed after each census and the South now mas ony
her legal representation apportoned on tnat
basis This basis of representation can only be
changed by constitutional amendment.
The positive declaration of the Fifteenth Amend
ment takes from the States the option as TO fran
chise granted by the Fourteenth and therefore the
second section of that amendment cannot De de-
pended on to reduce representatives from states
that exclude votes because of color.
This is not a partisan issue or a negro prob
lem" II is simply question of law, affecting the
suffrage rights of black Americans Its considera-
ton should not be influenced by sympathy for the
negro or by the caste prejudices OF our Wnlte peo
pie. It is cold. inexorable law.
You say further, Patience may cease 10 be
virtue IF negro rights subjected to progressive
diminutton. instead of being broadened as the
negro emerges from the condition which has pal
lated unjust discrimination against him. II may De
necessary to take drastic action.
Argument is not necessary to sustain the tact
that if the suffrage features of State constitu-
ton are in defiance of the constitution of the
Union elections held under such defective in
struent cannot give title to seats IN Congress for
Senators or Representatives nor carry legal author
ity to count electoral votes for President and Vice
President.
The constitution of the United States declares
that .'the right Of citizens to vote shall not be de-
MED or abridged by any State on account CT race
color or previous condition Of servtude."
The question now to be decided is Does any
State by its corporate action. defy and ignore that
declaration? If so. what is the remedy?
Let me quote from my communication published
in The Tribune on March last:
The remedy which have recommended and now
repeat can be made effective without force and
with benefit to the whole country Let Congress
by its appropriate committee inquire into the
amended State constitutions. II State is found
to be in defiance of the Fifteenth Amendment, re-
fuse to that State the seating of members and Sen
continue such exclusion until the State SHALL in It's
own way and by its processes of It's own
people, adopt a State constitution which IN the opfn-
ion Of Congress is in harmony with the constitu-
ton of the United States.
The effect of this action will be that the several
mand Of the Fifteenth Amendment to the ne
groes' right viii adopt suffrage founded
on education and property, instead OF color. 10 the
great benefit and advantage OF our section. There
is no danger of negro supremacy. With the fran
chise based on property and intelligence we will
and all the disturbing issues that have been brew
ing for forty years will be behind US
RUFUS B. BULLOCK,
Atlanta, Ga. April 1S. 1905