The Washington herald., 1907-01-02
FEAR JIM CROW LAW
Democrats Warn oklahoma
on Race Question.
ROOSEVELT WOULD DENOUNCE
Party Leaders Afraid OF COnse-
quences of Opportunity the Presi-
dent WOuId Haye-DOcumeBt Might
Not BE Approved II Inconsistent
with the Federal Constitution.

The Brownsville affair is going TO pre-
vent the enactment of some important
constitutional law. Within the last few
days It has become known IN Washington
that the Democratic leaders in Oklahoma
have been planning to put IN the constitu-
ton of the new State sections which
would forever bar the negro from his civil
and industrial rights.
Among the propositions that are under
stood 10 have been agreed on were sec
tons providing for separate schools for
the races, the customary suffrage require
ments that have been enacted by the leg
islatures Of the Southern States, and the
usual "jim crow" laws as 10 railroad and
street car traffic, waiting-rooms and no.
Gel and restaurant privileges.
As soon as word OF what was going on
IN Oklahoma reached the ears of Demo
Gratis in Washington quiet veto of the
programme was at once decided on. The
leaders Of the Democratic party in the
House and Senate notified their friends in
Oklahoma that their plan would not be
tolerated for moment They urged that
il would be a national calamity II would,
they declared. give President Roosevelt
the opportunity TO set himself straight on
the negro question and regain what he
has lost with the friends OF the race dur
ing the last few weeks by his action in re-
gard to the discharged men Of the
Twrnty-hfth Infantry.
Afraid OF President.
Bang, would come ringing message"
said one Democratic Senator, within
twelve hours that would throw Oklahoma
into the Gulf Of Mexico. He would de-
cline 10 approve the constitution or recog-
nize the State. "a this way he would
square himself with all the negroes in the
country and all their sympathizers for his
course in the Brownsville matter"
II has been pointed cat 20 the Oklaho-
mans that all provisions that they wanted
To put tn their constitution can be more
satisfactorily adjusted by legislative en-
actmeut None Of the Southern States
has any Jim crow provision in its con
stitution. In Mississippi and South Car
DINA the Jim crow" legislation was en-
acted Immediately after the reconstruction
period, but in Texas there was no legis-
lation on the subject until the eighties.
one Of the Democratic Senators suggested
IN q iEtLeI mat there HoAlu Dt plenty OF
time 10 put anything new IN the constitu-
ton after it mad been approved. meaning
that the new State could amend It's con-
stitutiOn at any time
How to Do Il.
Republicans here have been informed
that one Of the reasons why Oklahoma
went 50 Overwhelmingly Democratic in
The election Of delegates 10 the constitu-
ti0BaI convention was because the cam
paigu was largely made on the race ques-
ton. II was pointed out to the people
OF Oklahoma that they could dispose Of
the issue for all time by Incorporating In
tho State constitution the main provisions
OF the "jim crow laws OF Mississippi
Although the enabling act OF State does
not contemplate a refusal On the part of
the President TO issue proclamation after
TIE vote on the constitution has been prop
crly certified % him. he nevertheless. has
the power 20 do so. and 1t would become
his duty % refuse 10 recognize a State il
the constitution adopted violated any Of
the provisions Of the Federal Constitu-
ton.