Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-18
siRner Of the Declaration OF Independence
and Second President Of the United States.

it. They are more candid in their dis
cussions than formerly. and ii is not
uncommon for me to find myself among
party of gentlemen who are frankly
expressing opinions that would be accept
able at the White House but are usually
considered the rankest heresy by the dem
ocratic party. But in the south they con-
tinue to vote the democratic ticket. ana
will probably do so until the colored vote
is entirely eliminated and the one issue
which overshadows all others has been
finally laid to rest. Then perhaps. natu-
raj affinities may assert themselves and
the white population may divide on polit-
ical public issues
I'm Georgia at present all negroes can
vote, but constitutional amendment VIII
be submitted to the people in November
esta blishing a property and educatlonal
qualification which will shut out the lS-
norant and irresponsible voters of both
races Then the government of the state
will be left in the hands of the intelli-
gent whites and a division OF opinion
is inevitable. The time when TINS Will
take place depends. however upon future
issues The tariff Is always with us, and
protective sentiment is gradually grow
ing in the south with the development OF
our manufacturing industries. But no
Moses has yet appeared and, or course
It will be necessary to find one before
any exodus from the democratic ranks
can be expected
Eliminating the Ignorant Vote.
There IS no restriction upon the right
of a state to fix the qualifications of those
citizens who may vote. except the pro-
vision of the Constitution of the United
States which declares that the right 10
vote shall not be denied or abridged on
account of race. color or previous condi-
ton of servitude. The recent legislature
of Georgia adopted resolution propos-
ing new qualifications along the line or
the law of Alabama. which | believe is
eutiraiy' free from constitutional Objec-
ton. because it neither denies nor abridges
the right of any citizen to vote on ac-
count of race. color or previous condition
of servitude. but fixes certain standards
of education and property which must be
reached before a can become an
elector in Georgia. 7 ne amendment pro-
yides that a person must belong to one or
six classes following:
:" First All persons who served honorahly In
any war Of the United States with foreign
mower or with the forces of The Confederate
states. of the state OF Georgia III TIE civil
war: or ,-,, =,
scpnded from such soldiers
The right to register Under these two pro
visions is to expire January !. 1918.
Third All persons OF good character VINO
understand the duties and oblga ions OF citizen
ship under republican form of government or
Fourth. All persons who can read correctly
and can write correctly when read TO them In
the English language any paragraph from tue
Constitution OF the United states or OF the stat"
NJ t;corria Persons who prevented by
blindness or other physical disabilities must b.
able to show a reasonable understanding OF such
paragra pils; or
Fifth Any person who is the owner OF forty
acres of land on which he lives; or
Sixth. Any person who owns ana mas pau
taxes on $500 worth of property IN the state
OF Georgia.
..These are the qualifications which 1t
is PROPOSED to require of future voters in
the state of Georgia." concluded Mr. Nc
Lendon land there is general unanimity
n favor of their adoption. They apply
ia nersons of both races and will not
only serve to place the control of affairs
in the hands of the intelligent classes of
the community. but will furnish an inspir-
alton for young men to secure an educa-
tion and n home in Older to exercise the
right of franchise"