The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-02
New Series-VOl. XXI. No: 2.
NEW FORCE Lii" $ { Univ, .s,.,,. Il COTTON
WOULD REDUCE SOUTHERN PED
RESERVATION IN CONGRESS-
congressman Edwards of Georgia
Makes Strong Argument Against
Bill Offered by Bennett.

washington, Feb. 26.-The latest
proposal in congress to reduce south
ern representation because of the al.
legged disfranchisement of the "broth-
er In black" fostered by Representa-
tive Bennett of New York, and set
forth in a bill introduced by him at
the present session, has considerably
dlspleased southern members.
Mr.. Bennett would amend the act
or congress providing for the appor-
tionment of members of congress.
passed in the 56th congress, and ap-
proved January 16, 1910. His bill, If
adopted, would reduce the represen-
tation of Georgia in the lower house
from II to 6; North Carolina, from
10 to z; South Carolina, from 7 to 8:
Alabama, from 9 to 5; Florida, from
to 2; Arkansas, from to 5; Tennes-
see, from 10 to 8; Virginia, from 10 to
z; Mississippi, from to 8. 1t would
reduce the membership of the house
from 391 members Of $50 members,
and reduce the representatives from
the southern states by 32 members.
Representative Edwards of Georgia
last night secured the floor and deliv-
cred a strong, thoughtful and ener-
getic address against the Bennett bill.
He insisted that representation in the
house Is based, not upon the number
of voters in each state, but upon pop-
ulation and quoted section 2, article
1, Of the federal constitution, that
electors (for members of the national
house of representatives, in each
state shall have the qualifications re-
quisite for electors Of the most mum.
erous branch Of the state legislature.
He said:
From time to time, out Of a fit of
political desperation, the country is
called upon to witness the spasmodic
efforts of some gentleman on the
other side Of his chamber, to destroy
white supremacy in the south. But
while white men live it will never be
done. These gentlemen who prentend
that they would put force bills and
reduction of representation upon the
south, hardly mean it. I cannot be-
lieve they are sincere in their an
nounced purpose.
"If this proposed reduction was
made, it would be for no other reason
than that these ten southern states
have dared to exercise their rights.
rs guaranteed to every state Of the
union, under the constitution. These
ten southern states are to be chastis-
ed and the people thereof humiliated
and trodden upon, for doing what they
had an absolute right to do. The
gentleman from New York and the
few who agree with him in this unjust
measure hardly know the danger Of
the dynamite with which thew are
playing. God forbid that men who
are Dllnu 10 justice and so empty of
love for the white race and who so
disregard human rights should ever
set control of the congress of the
United States, for not until then will
any state suffer humiliation because 1t
dareS to purify the ballot and morals
in its borders, by prescribing certain
restrictions as to who shall be permit
ted to exercise the right of franchise
and to control it's government.
Mr.. Chairman, / protest against
this attempt at political discord My
people, the southern white people as
whole, have done their full duty by
the negro. They have done more than
ought to have been expected Of them;