New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-11
VOTING IN ALABAMA.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Whenever the inside history Of the campaign
IN Alabama which resulted in the voters declaring
IN the spring 1902 that certain restrictions should
be put on a male citizen before he should be al
lowed to vote IS written. it will be mighty inter-
estin' readin." Artemus Ward used to say.
There was TO be educational test applied to
every man who came before the boards Of resistra-
tion. and one Of these tests that the man must
be able 10 read all part Of the constitution Of
the State and OF the United States.
During the heat of this campaign OF education l
for the OF the time located in the town or
Gadsden. a few miles distant from the city OF
Birmingham The birmingham Age-Herald,' one
Of the leading and most conservative newspapers
IN Alabama. II not in the South. used to print in
fun the speeches made by the "educators' who
were conducting this unusual campaign. l remem-
Der the one point that used TO be prominently
We're correct. that the white people must pay
amendment the constitution said with reference
TO the voter being able 10 read
The newspapers reported the speakers as saving
that It did not make bit OF difference whether a
man could read or not, so long "a he was a white
Of The Birmingham Age-Herald" was. In effect.
will be almost Impossible for a negro to cast his
ballot IN this State. OF course. the negro has in
but he never has. and never Will be. given chance
to take any part in the counting OF those votes.
season with It's readers that the State must have
box stufing was admitted but the reasoning was
along lines which iutimnted that the way they ad-
was entirely within the letter OF the law.
Cast your votes for the constitution.
who read the line Of thought on which
the papers fought that campaign Of education In
Alabama And those who read must do lots
OF missionary work among their ueiEhbOrs who are
not so fortunate, and tell them that 81 don't make
long as they are no, negro so White ' man 5' vii
be disfranchised by the new constitution was tho
argument used all through the State IN that cam
paRn.
These plain statements OF facts by one who
was there and knows what he IS talking about
advocating the enactment 81 law, and "A the same
time telling the tens % thousands OF poor and
ilHterate whites that the law not framed MP
70 dIsfranchise them 10 put them 90 any iuruu-
Nellifuce But any time applied
board 81 registration. an educational test that
Wa a test was put 70 him. and n b." didn't pass
the right sort OK examination hp might wei
80 back 10 the hills and forget that ever wanted
20 do what the Constitution OF the United states
accords 10 every NAL" citizen. regardless ~ raee
color or previous condition OF servituG,
Inc point would Ike 90 impress the irtrff-
gent fair minded and law loving people ~ tn.
North IS this II there "A farf rad. rat4-.Ffrt.
among the leaders 81 the Democrats party iu Ala
bama that the educational test should NOS De- am
plleo 10 any voters except those with negro blood
so a step further and say that the provision ~e-
gardinE payment Of poll was not iur1rrrr.ffa.t
into the constitution with any idea OF IFS being en-
II It is all right 20 violate one section or o~.
clause OF law. Is IL any illegal d, f,-r.. .
taat such Thing as Law has been made ar aII-
s mere mas h'"n "a very apparent attempt 10 an
loINe tit cause regarding the payment ~ non
lax ana a. the politicians have found or,t +j-5, ,,,
eItat percentage ~ The ilitcraie voters III AIal.
and other states In the South don't let their 49,.
1ltiih'I because OF the 'disfranc his.fcrf'f ~ ,r
poor whites who cannot read and vgtlf 80 -, 80
.aN ne TACT that the class legislation ,i-,,c5 ,
tbre.t.5's = II a,tihg as sort ~ boomerang and
thefn. and with good reason IL D, 10 ''''i iil' q
We" LONDON Conn., March ]. ls0f