New-York tribune., 1904-08-07
HOPE FOR THE BLACK BELT"
Negro Believes Permanent Plan Of Alabama
Constitution VIII Be Good for His Race.
the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: 1 am negro ana belong to the race and the
party that suffered most from the evils OF ballot
box stutlnC. intiClida ton and force on the part
OF white Democrats IN the on hand and the i'll
capacity OF the oolored men individually to cast
ther ballots fer the party CT their choice On the
cther hand. Now. with al the lights before me
and AZ experience gained b. active participaton In
politics in this State in the very heart the BLACK
Belt I most thoroughly convinced that the
open door Of hope" for beth the negro and the
Republican party and. in Of the entire people
Of the Stat is il qualified suffrage applied all
alike. The constitution OF Alabama in
the permanent plan promises this and the only
question nov for the friends OF the negro ard good
government is for them to address themselves.
not 70 return old conditions. but the honest
administration Of the permanent plan OF the pres-
ent constitution Of Alabama When reflect that
the present Governor Of the State and also the
president Ct the Bar Association. and also the pres
ent president Of the Alabama State Bar Associs-
don. and white men Of like cha-a cter and Influence.
are coming out in the oren demanding an honest.
impartial administration OF the permanent plan Of
the present constitution. our people and cur friends
should take fresh hope for thu future
While in theory the colored men OF Alabama were
erfranehsed, vet in actual practice we dis
franchisod and cur presence 0n the poll and regis
tration list only gave power TO the opposition par
t5--the Democratic party. Now. with the lights
before me- and the Promises Of the future 1t is GER
tain Will least have stIne on the rolls whose
votes ~tA be counted cast. and certainly those
eliminated by the organic law of the state cannot
j. justice b. counted II lhe Electoral College or in
the CONGRESS.
Now = can elect Roosevelt cnd the Congress
10 project the interest OF the nation large. and
our friends VII address themselves to having The
permanent piar Of present constitution honest
ly administered. AID undertake 10 felp the best
people or this SI-s. slssiTe is 10 elevate the
electorate. the lu'ic2 win accomplish more for my
PeoPa3 than has been Accomplished since the ad0o-
tion cf the War amendments 1 venture rhe predlc-
tiOn tnat Alabama in years VIII be a doubtful
STATE. and battle ground between the great par
ties os iile aatlou
We have now in Alabama at least three Congresss
districts that delatabie ground and ylC ? eed
not be surprised - ar TWO Republican
Congressman elected from Ala abcIra this year.
Fcci that II proper efforts put forth by
thu CONGRESSIONAL Campaign COMMITTEE. that Ala
hama would furnish one. II not 'liCre Republican
CouETssSuneu. even this year. Fictitious majoritss
2 thing % the PAST and = = going 10 be din
cut to~ The Democrats TO hold together that cleSs
OF white Who have more than once rebeled.
bur whose votes were overcome by the fictitious
na jorl;ies sent Up from the BLACK Belt of Ala
bspia. Al. WINES.
Greensboro. Ala. Aug / 1904