The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-10-02
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TRYING TO
HOODW|NK NEGROES
Democrats Pursuing Their Usual
Double Faced Policy.
uphoidins Disfranehisement In the
South While Forming colored Bryan
Clubs In West.

SllpS In west.
IF'rom the Baltimore Sun. Dem.l
General Winfield S. Hancock. who
was the Democratic nominee for pres
ident in 1850. declared the tariff was
prin ,ipally local question"-that Is
10 say. Pennsylvania Democrat
might be a protectionist for protec-
ton sake, while Democrat In Geor-
gia or in Iowa might hold fast TO the
doct, ,ine OF a tariff for revenue only.
The Massachusetts Democrat might be
free trader without reservation OF
any kind, while the West Virginia
Den ocrat might be free trader only
witt respect 10 commodities which
werr not produced by his own state.
Gennr Hancock's pronouncement
was considered an ingenious evasion
of the tariff issue. but II did not pro-
ducc harmony in the Democratic par
ty, nd the general was defeated.
Twenty-eight years have passed
since General Hancock defined the
tariff as a local question upon which
the Democrats OF each state were free
to act with regard chiefly TO local In
tere3ts. The principle which he then
formulated seems to have been adopt
ed by Democrats In the west In re-
speCt TO the relation OF the Democrat
ic party TO the negro. Last week the
West Virginia Democratic convention
embodied In Its platform planks de-
mandlng certain qualifications for
voters. designed to dlsfranchise many
negToe Their platform also contains
a. declaration In favor of separate
coaches for white and negro passen-
gers on railroads. The West Virginia
Democrats not only refuse TO hold out
the olive branch TO the negro and In
vite him into their fold, but they are
dete rmined TO limit his political activi-
ty by a disfranchislng law and TO
bring him under the operation OF a
"Jim Grow" law when he travels on
the railroads OF that state.
What Are the Promises7
Out In Nebraska and In Kansas the
Democratic campaign managers are
organizing negro voters into Bryan
clubs. In Ohio no effort will be spared
to secure the support OF the negro
voters for the Democratic national
ticket. What pledges have been given
and what inducements have been Of
fered does not appear. But II is fair
Inference that the managers have
! promised to do something for the ne
! gro,' perhaps to recognize him In the
distribution of offices. II Mr.. Bryan
should be elected, and also to take
such action as the negroes may de-
maId In respect no the reinstatement
OF the negro battalion dismissed from
the army by President Roosevelt for
the attack on Brownsville. Last week
when the West Virginia Democrats
were declaring for a disfranchlsement
law and for a Jim Crow" law the
| Democratic convention In the Twelfth
congressional district Of Ohio adopted
a platform favoring "the enactment
OF laws which shall accord TO all men
accused Of wrongdoing, whether sol
diers or civilians. fair and impartial
triaI and an opportunity to be heard
before conviction or punishment"
| ThiI apparently refers to the Browns
| vile incident. 1t may also have
bro der meaning and a more extended
/ app ication and may be susceptible OF
an Interpretation which will make
sou hern Democrats open their eyes
witt amazement and possibly with ap
/ pre- eIension.
Race Question Local IssueT
T lere seems to be no ground for rea-
/ son bic doubt that the Democratic
/ can paign managers In the west, in the
effc t to secure negro support for their
nat onal ticket, are acting upon the
/ priI ciple that the race question Is only
local issue" 1t is evident that the
sou b does not approve this plan OF
can paign. but Is powerless to check It.
/ The Democracy OF the south IL I'm full
accord with the position taken by the
/ Wet Virginia Democrats last week.
| And yet 1t is assumed by those who
are trying TO get negroes to support
Nr. Bryan that the south will act In
hea 'ty cooperation with the Ohio, Ne
| bra8ka. Kansas and Illinois Democrats
who are welcoming the negro into free
fellowship In the Democratic party
| and probably promising 10 ahnul the
/ decision Of President Roosevelt In the
I Brownsville matter. The theory OF
I western Democrats that the race prob
/ lem is merely a local issue Is cnlcu-
I lated to give the south much concern.
I Many Democrats I'm that section may
\ question whether II Is worth while 10
elect a Democratic president who may
opel wide the door OF political oppor-