The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-23
soME ourRAarous HxAMPLEs.

In another place The Advertiser this morning copies from The Charleston News and Courier an article to which we call tfe special attention of the Legisla- ture. The article shows with considerv able detail condition of affairs which should not be allowed to exist in any civilized community, and to which the aw-makers should put stop. The evils complained of are real and intoierabie. and they are evils which are not con- fined to Charleston and South Carolina.
 In his recent inaugural address. Gov ernor Jelks used these words:
 While We have a more respectable elec- torate under the new Constitution, there Is doubly a duty now resting on the white people who make and execute the laws to see that that portion of our fellow-citi- zens deprived of the privilege of voting limb and the rights of property. enjoying these blessings as fully and freely as the whitest man in the State.
 The Advertiser heartily endorses every word of this paragraph. The negro is no longer political factor in Alabama. He has nothing directly to do with making or executing the laws, and very little by indirection. He is passive subject of the laws made by the white man and that is all. So much tho more reason. then, that he should be protected in all his civil rights. We have numerous statutes looking to the protection and welfare of minors and practically ali the negroes of Alabama are minors. The white people make the laws and execute them, and those laws should be for all, bear equally on all and protect all.
 Let our legislators read the article we have copied and study all it's revolting details, and ask themselves If any Chris tian people can countenance or permit such outrages. Then let them, if they will. make inquiry and see if the same practices do not prevail all over Ala bama. They do in Montgomery, at all events. We have more than once had cases brought to our knowledge where negroes have borrowed money or bought goods on the instalment plan and after paying two or three times the original amount borrowed or value of the goods, have been forced to give them up to satis- fly the rapacity of the creditors. The proof can be had if wanted.
 Unfortunately for them, most negroes are as credulous as they are ignorant and hopeful. To borrow money with the privilege of repaying 1t in small weekly lnstalments is looked on as an easy method of providing for present and pressing necessities. They must give se- curity largely out of proportion to the amount of money obtained, and after pay ing the debt several times over their goods are seized and retained "to pay interest," or to pay debt which has already been paid, principal and interest. Another will buy 8 sewing machine or set of furniture, and after paying the full value of it. with legal interest, the whole is taken by the creditor to satisfy a claim which has been doubling itself.
 There is no need to interfere with any legitimate business. Merchants who sell goods on time are entitled to security and to a fair compensation for waiting, just as much as R bank Is, and laws should protect all legitimate business just as they should suppress extortion and out rageous usury. Let our legislators read the article we have copied and then see if they cannot find instances in their own knowledge which are as palpably unjust as any which are reported from Charles ton. That city is not unique in this re- spect. ,4 70