The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-28
Friday Oct. "a. 1904.
MIR. CRUMPACKER HEARD FROM

We give below an editorial unde the
above heading from the washington
Post.
This persistent fight on the part OF
some republicans, to secure, through
congressional action. h reduction ol
renresentation in congress and in the
electoral college OF the southern states
is a serious matter.
While there can be no doubt that TINS
plank was inserted in the republican
platform for the purpose Of s~olidifying
the negro vote in certain northern
states, at the same time the fact that
the party in national convention en-
dorsed the proposition greatly strength
ems the hands OF those Of that party
who wish to see it enforced. Those
republicans who oppose Mr.. Crum-
packer cannot openly declare that the
adoption of that plank was simply a
political dodge to secure votes
in certain northern states, and that it
was never intended to enforce it. They
have got to go with Mr.. Crumpache-
or repudiate this part of their platform.
There is no doubt hat Mr.. Crum-
packers position will be stronger IN
the next congress, if the republicans
have control Of the house., than ever
before. According to his own state
ment he has President Roosevelt with
him on this question. He would hard
" have put this declaration in a letter
had il not been correct. So it a be
seen that the Crumpacker movement
will be strongly reinforced by these
two circumstances. The country has
already experienced Mr.. RooseveitG
influence over congress in the matter of
forcing through it such legislation as
he desires.
h is a matter of the greatest i'm
portance to the south, aid, in fact, tC
the national democratic party. 1t
means that in the next congress a de-
termined effort will be made, backed
by the influence of the president, il
Mr.. Roosevelt is elected and the repub.
licans control the house of representa-.
tives. to reduce the constitutional rep
resehtation IF the southern states ir
and in the electoral college
When We consider Mr.. Roosevelt's
manifest hostility toward the south we
may feel sure he will be found sal
right" on this question from Mr.
Crumpacker's viewpoint.
Mr.. Crumpacker in his letter to III,
negro newspaper of indianapolis ha:
served the democratic party with no
tice as to what it may expect if hi
party is successful in the presidential
and congressional elections. The dem
ocrats should act upon that notice ant
act with vigor. It behooves them t,
exert every energy to gain contro
of the house of representatives. If w,
cannot elect our candidate for presi
dent then it is of the greatest impor
lance that we should have a majorit!
in the next house. In the excitemen
of the contest over the presidential
election the Importance of thai of con
gressmen should not be overlooked. No
a single district where there is a pos
sible chance of success should be neg
Iected. The salvation of the south de
ponds upon this.
The Posts editorial is as follows:
Despite the efforts Of the republican
to minimize the general eff
feet of the small plank in their party
national platform, designed only as
bracer for colored voters in a few clos
states, that bit of leaven is working il
Indiana, not only inside but outside @
its intended sphere. At ~Indianapoii
two negro newspapers, The World an,
The Freeman. are having Il heated coz
troversy anent that plank. The Wort
alleges that Knox, editor of The Free
a and independent candidate 70
congress. is persistent in his oppositio
to Congressman Oyerstreet on n
ground that he did not support IN
Crumpacker bill. Mr.. Overstreet j
now serving his fifth consecutive tern
as representative from the Indianapoli
district, and is his party's nominee 70
another reelection. There is q larg
colored contingent in the electorate @