The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-20
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20. 1908
WIDESPREAD AGITATION.

1t would seem that there is vide
spread organization among the colored
people to arouse public sentiment In the
North with respect to the disfranchising
constitutions in the South.
Meetings have been called in nearly oil
the large cities, and Mt them this Qlies-
ton is to be discussed and money raised
to pay counsel to carry test cases to the
highest courts.
It would therefore seem that there 10
i a well-defined and quite strongly backed
movement on foot having for Its object
the systematic agitation OF the race issue
and with the especial object Of overthrow
4 ing and eliminating tho disfrlnchising
clauses of the Southern constitutions.
v Such meeting was advertised to take
s5splaoe in Cooper Union Hall in New York
1niast night Such ia meeting has been
held in Richmond Other such meetings
are to be held in other cities, North and
South.
Where the headquarters Of this move
ment is does not clearly appear, but the
walking-and talking-delegntes Of the
organization are Mr.. John S. Wise and
the colored lawyer Hayes, from Rich
mond. From all that we can see and
hear they find great favor IN the eyes, of
the negro masses, but we doubt II they
would be able sto command the public
attention they are now receiving but for
the aid they@have gotten. Indirectly, from
the White House Mr.. Roosevelt has
given an immense impetus to this race
agitation by his entertainment of negroes
In his family and in the White House.
and by his course in the matter OF the
nomination Of DR.. Crum for the collector
ship OF the port Of Charleston, S. c.
That the President Is determined in his
course; that he intends to persist in shoy-
ing the negro to the front; that he medi-
tates some move to give the negro more
influence in Southern public affairs, Is
shown by the late speech OF Mr.. Root,
\ who. we must believe, uttered no senti-
,3ment at variance; with his chiefs. Prac-
stttcally. and politically ~. speaking, Roots
enapeech was Rooseyelt's.
.2 1t was tentative speech, however; It
committed the Administration to no pre-
else policy but was an admission that
the wholesale enfranchisement measures
Of the immediate post-bellum period were
failure, and it suggested that the time
now has arrived to look about for some
better method of dealing with the negro
\ as voter.
Exactly what course the Administra.
ton people are meditatng we cannot.
4 guess. That matter is all the more mys-
!. FERROUS now since Mr.. Crumpacker, within
e a few days past, seems to have thrown
aside, as q; bad 5obbhis plan to reduce the
representationssn the lower house of
Congress of those States which have
restricted the negro vote.
Z And so we say that evidence Is not want
Ing, and increases. that the Wise-Hayes
movements supported by widespread
organization. of negroes, and that it is
encouraged by white men OF Importance
In the Republican party. And Mr.. Roose-
welt and Mr.. Root, ii not active and d.
rect participants in the movement, by
what they have said and done have given
Wise Hayes e& Co. the opportunity to
arrest public attention in the North Blu,
{ - luckily for US Of the South, not all
Sortherners nowadays lend willing ears
20 the tales of Republican politicians
Thousands Of Northerners spend part
IF each year In the South; other thou.
sands are interested In Southern indus.
tries. Still others, calm. calculating, bu,
patriotic men. VIII not willingly see the
present prosperous condition Of the South
put to jeopardy to please the politicians