The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-16
RECONSTRUCTION HELL AGAIN.
What Desperate Republicans Pro-
pose for the South.
The 0nIy Inference to be Drawn FnoRl
The Course OF the Republicans on Com
mittee of Elections. No. |, in the Case
of tke Negro Dantzier Against
mir. Lever.

Washington, Dec. 1A-It is evident
II the Intention of the Republican
leaders in the Honse to force the fight
ing against the disfranchisement OF
the negro voters In the Southern
states. The fact was made apparent
today during the hearing of the con-
tested election case from the 7th Con-
sressional district OF South Carolins.
The sitting member is Asbury r.
Lever, one of the baby members OF the
House, who has just been reelected to
second term. His seat is contested by
8 negro, Alexander d. Dantzler, an
oid-time plantation darkey, black as
goal, with q crop of white hair, a
typical Uncle Tom" as portrayed
upon the stage.
Ca the face of the returns Dantzler
received only I6 votes, while Lever
nolled 4, go votes. The Republicans
contend that seven thousand negroes
we're iuegaH prevented from voting,
and the unconsti tutionality OF the
South Carolina election laws is assert
ed by Dantzler's attorney. w. W. bud
lav. former commissioner of penaions,
and one Of the political managers OF
the late President Harrison.
The argument before the committee
on elections No. 1, OF which kepresen-
tatiye Mann, Of Illinois, is chairman.
vas devoted almost entirely to the race
problem In the South, and the uneon-
ssitutionaiity of the election laws OF
those States, which, the Republicans
aaIepe. ara framed to disfranchise the
negro voters.
NE. Lever was represented by G. NJ.
E6rd, of Lexington, who is the father
OF the present election law IN South
Caroiina, and B. Hart Moss, OF
Orangeburg, son-in-law OF former he
usesentative Samuel Dibble, of the
Charleston district, whose seat was
centestd by negro while In Congress.
AR. Levers attorneys contended
shat South Carolina had constltu-
s;onal right to change her election
laws, provided it was done within the
lines OF the Constitution of the United
States. The decision OF the Supreme
Court of the United States was cited
IN support of that claim. Members OF
the committee asked numerous ques-
tiens which clearly indicated an lnten-
tion Of making a test of the first con-
tested case considered at the present
session of Congress. It was argued
that if the contention, made IN this
issue is sustained by the committee
nearly every Representative from the
Southern States may be unseated.
Cen. Dudley stated that the Repub-
Iican party had heretofore refrained
from forcing the issue on this ques-
tion, because of lack Of desire to deal
harshiy with the Southern people on
this question. The time has now ar
rived. he said, when the question
must be settled, and helappealed to the
committee to secure to the negro
voters of the South the right to vote
and have their votes counted.
In reply to question from Chair
man Mann, as to the small number OF
votes cast for. Mr.. Lever, Mr.. Moss said
shat there was no intimidation or dis
elimination against Dantzler. There
was no opposition to Mr.. Lever, be-
cause he was popular In his district.
besides the Republicans. especially the
White Federal omce-holders, did not
vote for him.
ny, continued Mr. MOSS play
fully. even the Republican postmaster
as Columbia did not vote for the con-
tessant. -
ssDon't you think it would be we'll
to let the President know about that
postmaster inquired Chairman
Mann. causing a general laugh at this
indirect allusion TO the Crum case.
Mr.. Efrd. in closing, was closely
question by various members of the
committee abont the Southern election
laws, and his replies we're to the effect
that the Supreme Court had decided
that the various States had right to
regulate their own election laws, and,
he added that il the committee decided
this case against Mr.. Lever the latter
would be the scapegoat for all the
Democratic Representatives from all
the Southern States whose seats are
not contested. r M. L. in the News
and Courier.