The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-03-01

Crow" law at tho convention.
Mr.. Chairman:
The vote a few days ago on the
resolution to appoint n special COM
mittee to construe the enabling act
was a test of strength between those
who favored and those who opposed
putting I'm the constitution proyis-
ion requiring railroads to provide
separate coaches and waiting rooms
for negroes. Byadopting that resolu.
tion the convention side.tracked the
provision. II had been discussed sew
eral times before the convention
and | have on two former occasions
read the decisions Of the supreme
court of the United States, showing
the absolute right of the state to
control this subject and the inability
OF the president to interfere with
that right Hence | regard 1t as use
less for me to speak further In sup
port OF the provision before the vote
was taken, but under the duie which
permits a member to explain his vote,
| desire to state briefly the reasons
which have compelled me to adhere
to my convictions on this subject.
The action Of the convention In
refusing 20 incorporate In the constl-
tuition a provision for n separation
of the races to my myld raises Sc
rious issue in that form of represen-
tatlve government exemplified In a
constitutional convention. Nearly ev-
cry democratic delegate in this con
vention was elected upon platform
declaring in favor of settling the pol
icy of the state in the matter of sep
aratlon of the races by provision in
the constitution
In the recent campaign the issue
raised by the democrats In declaring
in favor of such II provision was a
most popular and fortunate one. Nine
ty.five percent OF the white people
of the territory believe In the sepa-
ton of races. and hundreds, in fact
thousands OF republicans voted with
us because they believed that the on
ly hope for the permanent separation
of the races was In the control of
the constitutional convention by the
democrats. They rightfully believe
that the republican party would not
put into the constitution such q
provision because that party was de-
pendent not only In the recent cleo
ton but In all future elections will
be dependent. upon the negro vote
In this state. Take from the republi-
can party the twenty-seven thous-
and negro votes in the state, and
It's success Is hopeless In the coming
election. Hence the white people OF
the state had good reasons TO believe
that the only hope for II separation
Of the races was in the success of
the democratic party.
When the convention met the sen.
timent in favor of Incorporating In
the constitution what Is commonly
called the Jim Grow" provision was
as strong as 1t was in the recent cam
paign. and but few, If any delegates
elected on this issue, or in whose
campaign that issue contributed ia
their election. had any thought of not
voting for the provision for separate
coaches and waiting rooms. II was
the fixed purpose of the delegates
when the convention assembled to
permanently settle the policy of the
state on that question but in the
course Of few weeks the sentiment
began to change, and one after an
other the delegates weakened and to
day large majority Of them have
voted against the proposition.
| desire to say that | have no crit
icism TO make upon the action OF
these delegates. | have no doubt but
that everyone of them have acted
conscientiously, and that in good faith
they believe that the incorporation
OF the provision IN the constitution
will endangcr the admission of The
state into the Union. Statehood be
ing the oyerwhelmiDg issue any
delegate who believes that a vote IL
favor of the Jim Crow provision
will endanger statehood is. in my
judgment, justified In voting. as II
is claimed, on the side of safety; but
Mr.. Chairman. from my standpoint
viewing the matter in the hit OF
the United States constitution and
in the decision of the supreme court
keeping in mind the obligations OF
the president of the United States
under his oath ot office. | have been
unable TO see how II is possible for
a vote in favor of the separation OF
the races as provided in the resolu,
tions which ! introduced in the ear.
ly stages of the session, and which