The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-01
BY RALPH M. WHITESiDE.

washington, eD. So 1cS5 IutL :
are two sides TO the question of ne
groes voting in the South-the humor-
Gus and the serious"
The speaker WAS southern CON
gressman-one of those men who
showed not alone a keen interest in
the welfare of his country, but also
was possessed of political genius. The
genuine part of it is what brought him
TO the front
Il don't want to discuss the serious
phase of the question" he continued.
We people Of the South have our own
ideas as to how certain local condi-
tons should be governed. We nave
a peculiar environment and we've got
to take measures that sometimes
seem unreasonable to the people of
the North.
Did ever tell you about how some
local campaigns used 10 be run down
my way? 1t seems funny in recol-
IcCllOI, Jul II " d. q s2SI A'At' l''tA>'
at the time. I'll tell you few.
We used to vote every negro in
town on election day. Sometimes We
voted them more than once. re
member a fellow, first name Cal, who
had gang of thirty negroes and poll
ed them from one place TO another
They were good negroes, those fellows
and tney knew how to work when Cal
had them in tow.
"One time the other side sent every
negro they could get a distance of
about fifteen miles into the swamp to
cut timber. When election day came
around they were out Of our reach. 1t
was a clever trick.
The other side was elated over the
trick they had served us, but their
spirits were somewhat dampened
when the votes were counted. Every
negro who was registered, including
those who had been sent into the
swamp, had been voted.
An indignant leader was discussing
this fact with Cal when Josh White,
the leader Of Calls gang, came up to
report.
"Ah done voted 'em all, Mars Cal
he said.
The leader of the other side looked
at Cal rather sharply. His expression
was one of satisfaction, for he consid-
cred Cal trapped.
Cal hesitated a minute, then made
bold play.
How'd you get those fellows out of
the swamp, Josh?'' he asked.
Josh Immediately looked serious.
He understood and his face frightened
wonderfully.
"Oh, we sent down dar and got 'em
out" he said.
He of the other side could not deny
it.
An old negro man went up to Col.
Appletree, who was standing at the
polling place one election day.
Mars Appletree,' he said, Use
lah.,
Col. Appletree looked at him amusd-
ly.
why, you black rascal he ex-
claimed, you know well enough you
vote for the other side. You'll get no
dollar
Fob Gawd, Use goner vote fer 20,
Mars Appletree," said the old fellow
Use goner put in a plumper right now
an [ wants er dollah.''
You go away from here" said the
Colonel. Il know how you'll vote
we'll enough.
The old fellow went to the polling
place and voted. He did as the Colo
mel anticipated-voted against him
One Of the Colonel's friends saw this
and told him about it. In few min
utes the old negro returned.
Now | done voted fer you, Mars
Appletree,' he said. IAN l wants Ell
dollah."
Look here, Uncle" said Colonel APP
pletree, you're the biggest liar in the
| county. George Newton saw you
vote against me"
The old negro thought seriously fol
a minute, then his face shone with the
happiness of rescuing thought.
Well, dey all intend to count it fel
yo' anyhow" he said "Now-kin
have er dollah:'
| He got it.
I,,.I . Oh -