The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-12
H 18TH AMENDMENT.
The Massachusetts, Man Tells How II.
Drew and Pressed lt.

Bsseon Record: While SONS northern
congressman propose cutting down the.
representation OF southern states in con-
gress because, practically, they have dis
f~ranchised the negro, while hot-headed
southern Representatives clamor for re-
peal of the fifteenth amendment, forbid
ding denial of suffrage on account OF
race. color or previous condition of seryi-
tude, and an army of miscellaneous and
magazine writer's attack the question en-
thusiastically ex-Governor Boutwell,. au-
thor of the fifteenth amendment and
hous member of the joint committee
which finally revised the fourteenth, prac-
tlces law serenely, each morning coming
in from Groton to his State street office.
What Is more, he has in his possession a
draft of the amendment in Summers
handwriting as he wanted to amend 1t.
and in his brain the original draft lust as,
he wrote 1t and 1t went on the statute,
books.
He turned in his chair, his eyes grew
more penetrating and his voice took q
vibrant tone, as he stated the intent and
scope OF the amendment which stands to-
day: BY the fifteenth amendment" he
said, cit was declared that the right Of
citizens OF the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abriged by the United
states, or by any state on account of
race, color or previous condition Of seryt-
tude.' This amendment does not prevent
distinctions among citizens for other rea-
sons, such as educational qualifications
and possession of property. An amend
ment which might have prevented dis
tinctlon for those reasons was. at the.
time. !mpracticable, and it was under
STOOD by those who favored the fifteenth
amendment that sue distinction might,
be made.
AT that time a distinction existed IN,
massachusetts on the basis of learning.
and In Rhode Island on the ground 81
property. The fifteenth amendment.
therefore, went as far as was possible at
mat time, and probably as far as would
be possible at the present time"
Was passage of the amendment thA
result OF a settled purpose on the part of
the people to give the elective franchise
to the negroes"'
1t was the result OF events. The
amendment was not adopted by congress
on the ground that the members of con-
gress We're ardently in favor of the pplicy
There was a small number of persons in
congress, less than a majority, and prob
ably less than majority OF the republican
party. who were in favor of the amend
ment upon principle and for public polit-
ical reasons. Others were Indifferent, and
some IN tbe republican party opposed the
proposition.
~ think" he continued, tapping his
desk. reflectively, that I was the only
congressman enthusiastic In its favor.
and Sumner was the only earnest adyo-
cate In the senate; yet he did not vote
for It,"
WAS the amendment your product ex-
c1usivcly?"
Practically; with me on the Judiciary
subcommittee to prepare the draft were
Ashley Of Ohio and Churchill Of New
York, who lived in the house where my
quarters were. I wrote the amendment
as passed, with the exception of a single.
word. which one I forget. II went
through the house without trouble nv
something like two-thirds majority, and
the senate took 1t up.
Through Summers initiative the sem
ate inserted, after the word vote the
further provision, or to hold office, ana
accept the proposed amendment. and the
body finally passed the original act
by a reduced majority"