New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-04
FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATION.
Influence Of Situation in South on National
Politics
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

| To the Editor The Tribune.
Sir: Like Banquo's ghost. 1t will not down -
The spectre rises frequent occasion to terrify
the Democracy, as that of Banquo appeared to
terrify the honicida1 King. All resources Of de-
nunciation, falsehood and chicanery employed
to dodge the issue and to beat the Constitution:
political tinidity selfish subserviency whisper:
Hush! IL is a dangerous subject But the ques-
ton of the Injustice and outrage of allowing the
non-voting negroes OF the South equal representa-
ton in Congress Representatives and Presidential
Electors with the white voters of the North is
thrust upon the people in divers and unexpected
ways. An ex-Presdent and other notables In pub
lie meetings and press communications suggest that
the negro be educated in their opinion he
will be IT. to vote at undiscerned time in
the dim future and innumerabe newspaper con-
tributions hold the idea This is all very
well. but it doesn't touch the present and pressing
question. AS that ex-Presdent remarked
with different reference, sit Is a condition and
not theory that confronts us'-now. That con-
dition is the unjust intoerable that exists
in counting the negroes III the South for Congress
and electoral representation. but not allowing them
vote. so that an advantage of about forty Con-
gress and electoral votes. based solely on the
negro and non-voting population IS given to the
seven ex-rebe States over those given to an equal
voting population in the Northern States. desire
to present this matter simply in Its effect on the
rights of the Republicans of the Northern States
One fundamental right is that any mans vote
should count and TO more as against any otner
seven States every Democratic vote there cast for
national officers, such Representatives in Con-
gress and Presidential Electors. the number of
which is based population and not on voters.
counts in the general result equal to two and
sometimes three Republican votes in the old and
new free States Of the North, East and West.
The practical result is that advantage of
forty Representatives in Congress and forty
electoral votes for President. based solely the
negro population which has no voice IN the choice
Of the officers. is given to the seven old rebel
States Of the South over those given tc an equal
voting population In the North. 1t is certainly
very important question for the white Republicans
OF the entire country whether or not they are to
go into every national election with handicap IN
in Congress and forty electoral votes for President
over the number allotted in the Republican states
the Democrats of the seven ex-rebel states are
presented with forty Representatives and forty
negro population and chosen by the white voters
who steal their representation and appropriate Il
capped to that extent in every election
In the Republican States the average vote in a
many districts OF South Carolina Alabama and
Mississippi the average runs from 1000 to 5000.
proportion is apparent Look at the deadly paral-
lei In the Presidential election of 1900 q give
eleven electors, cast Isl 900 votes Wisconsin, hav-
ing twelve electors cast $4,000 votes South caro-
electors 295 900 votes; Mississippi. nine electors
5000 votes Minnesota nine oS electors 4teoo votes
electors, 35S000 votes Louisiana. eight electors
81 coo votes Maryland eight electors, 258 600 votes
Thus 10000 voters in nye Soudnern toG pasGa a
sentatton to 100000 voters in the North. And in
this dsproportion is the only chance nee, Of success
defeat TO the Republicans. Are the Republicans
willing to take the risk of defeat By this f fFa9d2
w-Brighton. \. Y. April %. 1903.