The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1911-03-03
Splendid Speech By Scnatol
Percy.

Washington, D. c.. Feb. 28-
For the second time during tie
pendency of the resolution te
amend the constitution of the
United States to permit the cleo
ton Of senators by direct vote,
Senator Leroy Percy, OF Missis-
sippi addressed the senate.
In his speech he declared that
the Sutherland amendment pro-
viding for federal control OF
elections to choose senators
would be too great price to pay
for the Borah resolution, and
while he favored the proposition
to cleo t senators by direct vote,
he could not vote for the resoIu-
ton with the Sutherland amend
ment attached. Since then, the
Sutherland amendment has been
adopted and today Senator Per-
cy joined Senator Bacon of Geor-
gia, in presenting the views OF
the opposing senators. A vote
on the resolution will be taken
tomorrow.
Senator Percy said in part:
1t is conceded that under the
resolution now submitted carry
ing the Sutherland amendment
the federal congress could take
entire control of the election of
senators by the people, would
have the power to appoint fed
eral registrars to determine who
was entitled to register fed
eral supervisors and federal
judges to hold the election, dep
uty United States marshals to
carry out the orders of such fed
eral judges and supervisors, and
the army of the United States
could be used to reinforce such
deputy 1marshals; a returning
board could be named to canvass
the election returns, and the,
senator would bear to the senate
not commission from the gov
ernor Of the state but a certif
cate from such board.
Such power hasr exist
ed ia regard to the election Of
senators since the creation of t Afe
government. Shall we nosN con-
fer it upon the congzfess?
rs the South, a!keady under
its primary election laws, enjoy
ing the bg1efit Of electing SEN
atorS NJ the reople. willing to SO
extend the power of the federal
governmen in order to give this
privilege to states who do not
care for the privilege?
"Tne federal government can
never intervene in the south, save
to the injury of both races.
They say they are willing
for the South to handle the race
problem as long asst handles il
to suit congress.
MY reply is that whenever
congress takes charge of federal
elections in the South, either at
the dictate of political necessity
or as the misguided victim Of a
maud!in philanthropy. I wish to
limit the area of its pernicious
activity as far as possible, GER
tainly never, by my yote, to ex-
tend that power beyond what it
is today.
The South can and will main.
tain a white mans government
under its constitution and laws
The conservative, honest, Coz.
fearing people of the South will
administer those laws in justice
and honesty.
The demagogue at home, she
will take care of, he will preach
either the repeal of the fifteenth
amendment or race extermina-
ton, as he thinks will best serve
his purpose, but in the long rur
intelligence will control. But in.
terferer ce bv the federal govtrn,
ment would inf1ame the passions
of both races, give the demagog.
ue his opportunity, wrest the
control of the government from
the conservative thinking people
and while it might give the. ne
gro the opportunity of voting al
r. which he is Indifferent II