The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1908-11-27
.THB NEGRO NOT AN ISSUE

ton, in which William H. Taft was
not only elected President of the
United States by an enormous plu-
rality, but the Democratic party in
several states where attempts were
made to raise the Negro issue re-
ceived setbacks that will be long
remembered.
Particularly in Missouri and
West Virginia did the Democrats
seek to appeal to race prejudice to
win. However, in both states Taft
and Sherman were victorious, and
the Republican State tickets elected.
In Missouri the voters elected
Attorney-General Hadley, Govern
or. He will be the first Republi-
can Governor the state has had for
nearly forty years. During the
last days of the campaign the Dem
ocrats sent out circulars to the
white voters picturing mixed
schools in Missouri in the event of
Hadleys election. 1t was also
cited that Negro alternates attended
the Republican National Conven-
ton from Missouri.
On the other hand, Cowherd, the
Democratic nominee for Governor,
was open in his opposition to the
Negro receiving just recognition at
the polls, and conducted a cam
paign at all times appealing to the
prejudice of the white voters. 1t
was lie who several months ago in
troduced a resolution in the Dem
ocratic Convention providing for
Negro Acknowledgement in that
State.
The Negroes of Missouri became
alarmed over the campaign being
waged against them by the Demo-
Gratis, and determined to take a
prominent part in the election
themselves. There were more Nc
groes registered in St. Louis and
throughout the State than ever
before, and the loyalty shown by
the black voters was made evi-
dent at the polls.
Had it not been for their votes
neither would have Taft and Sher-
man carried the state nor Herbert
Hadley been elected Governor.
In West Virginia the Negro is
sue was also raised. The Demo
Gratis in that state were even more
active and bitter than in Missouri,
for at the Democratic State Con-
vention last fall which nominated
the Governor, resolutions were
not only introduced providing for
Negro disfranchisement and 'Jim
Grow" cars, but passed.
1t was the action of the Demo
Gratis IN West Virginia that won
over so many Negro votes to the
Republican party throughout the
nation. Many who had not de-
cided which ticket TO vote took ex.
ceptions to the action of the Wes
Virginia Democratic State Con.
vention and announced their in.
tentions of standing by the Re.
publican party.
West Virginia, with the assist
ance of the Negro vote, did itsel
proud by giving Taft and Sher
man a handsome plurality, elect
ling the Republican State, ticke
and defeating any and all PROPOSE
ions that tended to retard anC
thumiliate the Negro citizens o
he state.
The election of last Tuesda,
week demonstrated that it is ut
terly impossible to deceive tn
voters by attempting to raise is
sues that fail to bear inspection
Gompers sought to ALLEVIATE tn
| labor vote from the Republica
party as did Walters, Trotter, an
a few other would-be leaders, bu
to no good purpose. The cry
"Remember Brownsville, was nc
given the consideration anticipate
: by several of the agitators-muc
t to their chagrin.
S Dispatches to The Age fror
: the north, east, south and west a