The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-03-25

DISTJ URBING INFORMATION Is
COMING TO WASHINGTON.
Market Increase of the Negro Vote in
Indiana, Illinois and Other Sections
DETECTION More Marked Than Nv.
er Reforc.

Washington, March 17.--DisturbinG
information l. Coaching Republicans
In Washington concerning 4 serious
defection In the Iegro v, te, of tn:
country this year Just at this stage
in previous national campaigns dur
ing the last 20 years, disuuietiny ru-
,nors ato ut the attitude Of the NO.
groes have been current, but, III tho
past, little attention has been paid to
them. The Republicans have figured
that the negro vote necessarily would
be cast for their candidates, becaus
IT has appeared heretofore the men
who were dispO ,cd to make trouble
were not representative of their race.
Now however, the situation Is
somewhat different. Nobody VIII,
has inquired into the sentiment over
the country doubts for an instant that
there is revolt Of the es gen.
orally against some of the possible
nominees Of the Chicago convention.
The r.vc.t centers around Secretary
Taft ara 1t Is beginning to he evident
that IL he shout be nominated he
will have serious task cut out for
him to poll anything approxinating
majority of tn, negro vote IN tho
North. In the South. as many Repub-
licans view it. 1t does not make much
difference practically about tho negro
vote, because Of the political condi-
TORS which exist m that section. The
regro In the South never will be pcr !.
mitted tn be dominant political fac
tor; but in some of the Northern
State the negro actually holA a bal
ance OF power at elections. In these
very States where the negro vote b
greatest 1t will be necessary for any
Republican candidate to poll enough
votes t. carry the States. Otherwise
1t will be lost.
Farseeing Republicans are taking
notice of the situation and It is he.
corning more evident every day that
II candidate be not presented by the
Chicago convention who can get the
grelt bulk IF the negro lvots in the
North the Republican party is ,n> for
sound drubbing next November. '
Statistics show that the negro vot =
In many Northern States is increas-
ias rapidly. The managers of the cam
paisn of at least one of the Republi-
can candidates for president have
made an analysis Of the negro vote in
some important Northern States, AMI.
ON paper. 1t looks lre.ty Formidable.
In Ohio, for instance the black vote
has Increased tremendously in tn,
last Ave years. 1t is now between
$4,000 and $4,000. Substantially the
same ratio Of increase applies to other
States. Here are some of the sta
tistics:
In Indiana the black vote has jump
ed from $4,000 to 10000: in Illinois,
from 10000 to $4,000; in Kainsas
from $1,000 to $4,000; in Oregon from
$4,000 tc $4,000; in West Virginia
from $4,000 to $1,000: in Missouri
from $4,000 to 10000; in New Jeraey
from % 900 to $4,000.
This list might be continued through
other States. The figures given are
In round numbers. but careful ex.
aminaticE indicates that they are ap-
proximately accurate. No sane per-
son could suppose that, II a considera-
BILE majority OF the negro vote were
cost against the Republican candidate,
he could carry New Jersey, West
Virginia. Ohio. Indiana Missouri or
Oregon, not to mention other States
which certainly would be affected Sc
riously ir the event OF the general re-
volt Of the negroes being carried to
tho polls
In view Of these facts it is pre tty
certain that the delegates to the Chi
cago convention will think pretty
haid before nominating any man
who Is not assured Of ability to car
ry States in which the negro vote
Is so tremendous and important a
factor.