The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-07-24
A BOLD POLITICAL MOVE

oiution Offered by Blackburn at the
Greensboro Convention l. Beginning
to Strike the North-The Washing
Ton correspondents are Taking Ii Up.
4 Special to The New York sun of
c>terday Speaks of IL.
Inc most interesting incident Of the
republican convention held al Greens
ooro last week was the passing II a
resolution, presented by Congressman
Blackburn, which provided for Z petit
ton TO the next legislature, asking for
a continuance OF the grandfather
clause OF the state constitution. ex-
tending the date when the illiterate
white a would be on a par with the
negro from 1905 10 1920. This was 2
shrewd stroke by Mr.. Blackburn. II
Is now said that the democrats intend
eo doing the same thing. when they
met Two weeks ago, but ii was decsd-
ed 10 wait and take the matter I'D with
the legislature. The republicans ar.
on record ahead Of their opponents.
This advance step taken by the re-
puDIcans Of North Carolina was con-
sldered almost sensational. II was
the sort Of move that generally causes
considerable comment by the northern
press. The Washington correspondents
are beginning to see the significance
OF the Blackburn resolution, as the fol-
lowing special from Washington 10
The New York Sun Of yesterday would
indicate:
FOR the first time since Reconstruct
ton days the republicans of a
state are standing on a plat
form of opposition to the negro. North
Carolina is the state. The republican
convention which Secretary Taft adj
dressed in Greensboro last week adopt
ed a resolution calling on the legisla-
ture TO submit to the people of state
the question Of extending the grand
father clause of their constitution UNI
til 1920.
The democrats in their convention
took no action on the race question:.
and it is probable that thew will at
tack the republicans in the campaign
for advocating a policy that will on
tinue to prevent negroes from exer-
cising the right of suffrage.
North Cardinals constitutional
amendment, under which most ne
groes are debarred from voting, has
the grandfather clause to which Sec
rotary Taft referred. but under its pro-
SlSlollS llS SIdlluldtIlef cldISo VIII not
be effective after 1908. That is two
years hence. North. Carolina Will have
a straight educational qualification on
the right Of suffrage which will apply
alike to ignorant whites and ignorant
blacks.
AT the recent republican convention
a resolution was adopted calling on the
legislature to submit to the people Of
the state for their approval a pro-
vision whereby the grandfather clause
Of the constitutional amendment would
be continued in force until after 1920,
an extension Of twelve years.
Two explanations are offered for
this action by the North Carolina re-
publicans. The first is that a great
many Of the white republican voters
Of the state, especially in the noun
tain districts, would be unable to pass
the educational test, which requires
that a man must be able to read and
write before he shall be permitted to
vote. Others regard the action of the
convention as a shrewd move to place
the party in the position that has
given democracy it's chief strength
in all southern states.
IN view of the stand taken by the
North Carolina republicans it Will be
impossible for the democrats to call
up the spectre of negro domination
with which to brighten their voters into
line, for it is definitely assured that
there will be no menace Of negro dom1-
n%ationjif the republicans are placed in
complete control of affairs in the state
In addressing the mass meeting
at Greensboro Secretary Taft declared
that the republicans were constantly
engaged in a fractional chase for jobs
and that the party in North Carolina
;1sr. b. I>Sfo- IF
If all the federal offices were filled
by democrats. The platform adopted
at Greensboro contains a rather re-
markable statement on the subject OF
patronage. 1t provides for a meeting
each wear Of the state committee for
the purpos of considering applications
to federal office, and that no appl1ca-
ton be considered unless the appli~
cant shall state that he will submit
to the action and recommendation OF
the committee without further con-
test. The purpose of this IS to prevent
in the future the unseemly
for patronage that resulted in the bit
ter factional fight in the convention
The Greensboro convention was
held primarily TO nominate candidates
for minor state offices, but the real
fight between the two factions was FOR
the control of the state organization.
Representative f. Spencer Blackburn,
the only republican in congress from
the Tar Heel state, was presented as
a candidate in opposition to Chairman
3. Adams. The latter
after one of the most bitter struggles
ever witnessed in a Southern political
gathering, and then it was that the
factionists decided to make peace and
have the two wings of the party flap
IN unison in the future."-Charlotte
Observer.
JEROME To PROSECUTE