Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-17
REPLIES TO ROOTS ASSERTION
Resolution viii Be Taken Up u
After Routine Busins ,csN x
WHITE MAN SAME EVERYWHERE
COlOred People Must Break Own
Chains or Remain Bound.
YOUNG TELLS OF IOWA SITUATION
tween Borah and Hawkeye sena-
tOr-FOrmer WouId Leave
Elections 70 states.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-That prejudice
against the negro is just as intense In the
north as in the south and that the north
plays the hypocrite in its contentious 70
the contrary was boldly and bluntly as
serted In the senate today by Senator
Borah Of Idaho.
Mr.. Borah's declarations regarding the
negro were made at the close OF pro-
longed speech in opposition to the suther-
land amendment TO the senate resolution
providing for the election Of senators by
popular vote. That amendment would
have the effect Of giving congress control
OF senatorial elections
The Idaho senator's pronouncement on
race problems was made in response to the
recent assertion Of Senator Root that with
out the Sutherland provision the resolution
would deprive the southern negroes Of fed
eral protection in tho exercise of the fran
chise. Mr.. Borah dissented from the New
York senator's view and in doing so used
language which ELECTED congra tulations
from many senator's.
ResOiutIOn 10 he Taken Up.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Borah's notice that
he would ask the senate to sit today until
vote could be reached on the elections
resolutions. the proceedings on that meas
ure we're confined TO his own discussion Of
IT. IIe succeeded. however in getting a
concession that the resolution should be
taken up tomorrow after the disposition
OF the routine business. The postpone
ment was granted TO accommodate a num-
Der OF senators who stili desire to speak
on the subject
Mr.. Borah already had spoken for almost
three hours when he entered upon the con-
slderation Of the effect OF the Sutherland
amendment on the race problem OF the
south. In his general remarks he con-
tended that as the resolution stands. not
withstanding Il gives the state legislatures
control Of senatorial elections. congress
still would have the right TO interfere in
protection Of any citizen whose right Of
franchise had been interfered with
The Idaho senator expressed deep regret
that the race question had been brought
into the controversy and asserted that its
introduetionl was intended oniss 10 imperil
the resolution.
He began this portion Of his address by
paying his respects 10 the northern states
North plays Hypoerite.
''I wonder how long the north is going to
play the hypocrite and the moral coward
on this question ne said and added that
that section had always assumed more wis
dom and more tolerance I'm dealing with
this problem than had been displayed else
where. He insisted that call Of the roll
OF the northern states in which there was
any appreciable number OF negroes would
demonstrate that the north had not dealt
more Ieniently with the negro than had
other sections.
The northern states have exhibited the
same race prejudice that has been shown
elsewhere" he asserted. "In the north we
burn the negro at the stake. and there as
in other sections We have our race wars.
We push our negroes to the outer edge Of
the Industrial world We exhibit the same
prejudices, the same weaknesses. the same
intolerance that is apparent in the south
land"
Mr. Borah declared that II congress had
power under the existing provision Of the
constitution giving congressional control
over senatorial elections It should be exer-
clsed
III that right exists the north has the
greater obligation under It because it makes
claim to it, We assert the power. but we
admit that we have not had the moral
courage 20 exercise IT,"
! For himself he denied the existence Of
! any elCn power anu Sdiu mat ne resented
such a position because Of the position in
/ which congress was placed by IT,
would defeat Measure.
Z The race question. Mr. Borah said. had
I been brought into the discussion ''fn the
/ fond hope that Il would do service in de-
featlng the resolution as a whole"
/ He declared it had been used for a slmi-
lar purpose for the last thirty years.
] Concluding he said
The negro has been used as a political
4 football about as long as our own sense OF
deoency and his developing intelligence viii
permit. We should have the courage to
Inform him as to the real situation. II
does not benefit him to make him the sub
iect OF our sophomoric rhetoric. The col
ored race has advanced to the point where
We well may dispense with the perennial
distribution Of soothing syrup and give il
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