The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-12-14
WOULD CUT SOUTH.
PIatt Bill for the Reduction of
representation introduced.
is A PARTISAN MEASURE
The Bill, If Passed, Would Eliminate
Nineteen congressman from
Southern States-Leadinu
Republicans oppose lt.

A Washington special says Sena-
tor Platt's reduction in southern rep.
resentation bill was introduced in the
senate Wednesday afternoon. An un-
usual amount OF interest was mani
tested and Senator Carmack asked
that the measure be read IN its entire
ty, after it had been read by caption
This request, which is by no means a
comon one, was followed by another
one from Senator Culuerson, of Texas.
who asked that that portion indicat-
ing the proposed relations in the va
rious states be read again.
The temper OF the southerners to-
ward Platt and his measure may be
indicated in tic question asked by
Senator Bailey, Of IeXas. During the
reading of the bill he said:
Does this bill affect the representa-
ton in the senate of those states in
which the governor and not the legs-
iature selects the senator's?
Platt, evidently unaware Of the Tex
ans allusiOn to the reported Odell Sc
lection CT successors to both himself
and Chaunccy Dcpew, answered in all
seriousness:
mo, sir it does not" and the whole
senate roared.
The bill was prepared under diroc-
tion Of the committee of the national
republican club of the city of New
York. The measure, if enacted in its
present form. would lessen the mem
bership in congress by nineteen, ac-
cordinG TO the estimate that has been
made by the republican club, which
originated It. The bill and a state
ment issued by Senator Platt were re-
ferred to the committee on the cen
sus. Platt's statement in part was as
follows:
This bill is framed on the lowest
limitation possible and treats as ex-
cluded from the suffrage only the male
negro citizen over 21 years of age.
classed by the twelfth census as illit-
crate, under 1900 census table, publish
ed since the aDportionment act OF
January 16 1901.
The aggregates actually excluded
from the suffrage in each of the states
mentioned are in truth larger than
those used as the basis for this act.
II all negro votablcs ii. G., male citi-
zens over 21) regardless of illiteracy.
sfoul dbe deemed to be excluded, the
| reduction in representation figured
from the same tables would be nearly
twice as great as stated in this bill.
|
notorious historical fact for congress
10 adjudgc what cannot be denied,
that the class of negro iliterates 10
the extent stated. is practically ex-
cluded from the suffrage in the states
mentioned in the bill, no matter what
may be normal provisions of their re-
spective constitutions or election
laws"
The bill would reduce the south's
representation in the house as fol.
lows:
Alabama, from to Z.
Arkansas, from to g.
FLORIDA, from 3 to 9.
Georgia, from II to 8.
Louisiana, f"cm Z to 5.
mississippi, from 8 to 6.
North Carolina, from 10 TO 8.
South Carolina. from to 5.
Tennessee, from 10 to o.
Texas, from 16 TO 10.
Virginia, from 10 to s.
The real republican lead ers. such as
Allison, Alger and even Spooner, have
assured the democrats that no such
bill as Piatts shall have serious CON.
Sideration at this session.