Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-03
Thc Senatorial Contest in Mississippi.

| closed yesterday when Ex-Governor
Jamcs X. Vardaman and Congressman
John Sharpe Williams of Mississippi
concluded their canvass for nomination
for United States senator. Governor
| Vardaman, as is well known, is an in
temperate swash-buckler Of the ex-
IRENE type. His canvass consisted
largely in abuse of the negro and in
the demand for the repeal OF the 10Th
amendment to the federal constitution
which provides that 1.-The right of citi-
\ zcns of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the
Tinted States or by any state on ac-
count of race. color. or previous condi-
ton Of servitude." Unquestionably
this provision of the constitution has
been fagrantly tisregarded and vio-
lated by a number of Southern states.
velnbcr %, 1865, law was passed
which read as follows:
THAT any freedman or free negro
or muiatto committing riots, routs
ARRAYS, trespaSses, malicious miSchiefS
and cruel treatment to animals, sedi-
tioIIs speeches. insulting gestures, lam
guage or acts or assaults on any per-
son. disturbance of the peace. exer
cising the functions of a minister of
the gospel, without license from
some regularly organized church
shall be fined not less than ten dol
lars and not more than one hundred
dollars. and may be imprisoned at the
discretion of the court"
Failing to pay the fine and cost the
sheriff was permitted to hire out the
prisoner to any one who would pay for
him. practically returning him to the
condition of slavery from which he
was forever freed by the results of the
Civil War. In recent years a number
of Southern states have passed laws
which practically nullify the 18th
amendment of the federal constltu-
ton. This is true of the state of Mis-
siS.ippi where a DISTINGUISHING measure
known as the George law was passed
by the state legislature several years
go. This law permits no one to
vote who ;loes not pay a So POLL tax
nine months before election, declaring
his residence. and who is not able to |
read ard understand the United States
Inasmuch as the de-
termination whether or not the appli- |
can't for registration can read and UNI
icrstand the constitution is entirely
IN the hands of white officials. it will |
be seen that the Negroes chances of |
qualifying for the exercise Of the |
franchise are exceedingly remote.
The last census showed that the |
population of Mississippi consisted of
al 200 white persons and 907 $50 ne
,rocs. 1t will be seen therefore, that /
he negroes largely outnumbcr the
whites in that state. They are also
counted in the apportionment of menu
Ders of Congress and the white men
who represent Mississippi at Washing
on by virtue Of this non-voting popu-
alton are enabled to exercise an I'M
uSt. unwarrantcd and indcfcnsiblc
lower in determining national legisla-
ion not merely for their state but for
Ill the ether states Of the federal
Union. For instance, John Sharpe
Williams, the Democratic leader of the
National House of Representatives, re-
'eived in his election to the 53th Con-
:ress 1884 votes although his district
of the five counties Kinds,
Rankin. Warren and Yazno,
contains population of 190.S85 peo-
he. The congressman from the Third |
Maine district received in his election
o the 59th Congress 1851 votes In
thcr words one vote in the Sth Mis-
issippi district is made by the dis
of the negro race, which
institutes the larger part of the popu-
alton. t" equal nearly five votes cast
n the Third district of Maine.
This situation Of affairs constitutes
ne of the most grievous inequalities in
h" life of the American republic. I'M
ueStionably were it not for the dis
worked by the George
aw the negro population in Mis-
issippi would bury the fire-cating
ardaman at the polls beyond all hope
4 resurrection. Unfortunately. how
Yer. the George law which operates
Gain"t the negro gives the franchise to
he illitcrate whites who constitute a
considerable factor in the white popula-
ion OF Mississippi for it is rare indeed
hat the supervisors find one of
hem, who, with little preliminary
"aching. cannot read and understand
he constitution. These men do not
appreciate the fact that Vardaman's
lemand for the repeal of the 18TH
to the constitution will
lever be realized AS result they