The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-10-01
TRYING TO HOOD
WINK NEGROES
Dss,ssrats Pursuing Their Usual
DeubIs Faced Policy.
Uphelding Disfrsnohissmsnt IN The
ssuth While Forming ooiorsd
Bryan Clubs In wssG


11AN $500
General Winfield S. Hancock, who
wes the Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent In 1880, declared the tariff was
principally a local question"-that iu
70 say. a Pennsylvania Democrat might
be a protectiOnist for protectioD's take.
while a Democrat In Georgia or IN
Iowa might hold fast to the doctrine
Of a tariff for revenue only, The Massa-
chusetts Democrat might be a free
trader without reservation OF any kind.
While the West Virginia Democrat
might b q free trader only with ne
pact 70 oommodities which were not
produeed By Bis own State. General
Hancoek6 pronouncement was consid-
cred an Ingenious evasion Of the tariff
issue. but It did not produce harmony
IN the Desperate party, and the gen
eFal was defeated.
TwsnU-eiEht years have passed since
General Hancock defined the tariff as
a local question upon which the Demo
Gratis Of each State were free 10 act
with regard chiehy to local interests
Ths principle which he then formu-
lated seems TO have been adopted By
Democrats in the West In respect to
the relation OF the Democratic party
20 the negro. Last week the West Vlr-
ginln Democratic convention embodied
in It's platform plauks demanding GER
tain qualifications for voters, designed
10 distranehise many negroes. Their
platform also contains q declaration in
favor Of separate coaches for white
and negro passengers on railroads. The
West Virginia Democrats not only re-
fuse 10 hold out the olive branch 10
the negro and invite him into their
fold. but they are determined TO limit
his political activity by a d~lsfranchis
Ing law and 70 bring him under the
operation oG A Jim Crow" law when he
travels on the railroads Of that State
What ars the PromisesP
Out In Nebraska and In Kansas the
Democratic campaign managers are
organizing negro voters iuto Bryan
clubs. In Ohio no effort will be spared
10 secure the support Of the negru
voters for the Democratic national
ugiet. What pledges have been given
nnd what Inducements have beUn Of.
fercd does not appear. But II II a fair
inference that the have
proHiised 10 do something TO- the ne
gro" perhaps 10 recognize hlm IN the
distribution Of Offices. II Mr. Bryan
uliOuld be elected. and also 60 take
such ,,ction as the negroes may de-
mand Ia respect 20 the reinstatement
Of the negro battalion dismissed from
tile army by President Roosevelt for
the attack on Brownsville. Last week
when the West Virginia Democrats
were declaring FOR e disfranchisement
Law and for q Jim Grow" law. the
Democratic conveRtion IN the Twelfth
Congressional district Of ohio adopted
a platform feyOring the enactment
: OF laws which shall soeord 10 all men
accused Of wronEdolns, whether sol.
oilers or civilians. q fair and impartial
rial and an opportunity 10 be- heard
Gtore conviction or punishment
TAs apparently refers to the Browns
Vile Incident II may also have a
broader meaning and a more extended
Application and may be susceptible 81
an Interpretation which will make
Southern Democrats opon their eyes
with aniazeHsnt aud possibly with ap-
prehenaion.
Race Question Local Tssueg"
There seems 10 be no ground for rea-
ssuabls doubt that the Democratic
campaign mapsGers Ia the Vest Ia the
saort to secure negro sup Tor their
Aational ticket. are acting gaou the
principle that the race question Is only
= local issue" II Il evident that the
south does not approve this plan Of
campaign. but l. poserlsss 20 check a.
The Democracy Of the South IL IN full
accord with the position taken by the
West Virgihia Deuocrats last week.
Aad yet Il 10 ASSUMED by those who
are trying to gee negroes 70 support
Mr.. Hrysn that the stuth viii act In
hearty cooperation With the Ohio, Ne
braska. Kansas and IIlinolf Democrats,
who are welcoming the negro into free
fellowship In the Democratic party
aud probahly promising to annul the
decision Of President Roosevelt IN the
Brownsyille matter The theory OF
Western Democrats that the race prob
lem Is merely a local Issue Is calcu-
lated 10 give the South much concerR
Many Democrats IA that section MAJ
qucsti0n whether Il Is worth while 20
elect a Democratic president who mas
open wide the door Of political oppor-