Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-17
UNDERWOOD MAKES
AN OPEN BID FOR
SUPPORT OF NORTH
He Helps Pass IniquitouS
BriStoW Amendment on Sen
atoriaI ElectionS-So Southern
Democrats Oppose 1t
BIZ RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., May IL
Under the leadership of Rep. Oscar w.
Underwood, of Alabama, the house of
representatives yesterday did to the
south what no Republican congress
since 1892 has ever attempted to do
1t accepted the Ubiquitous Bristow
amendment to the resolution for the
direct election of United States SEN
ators.
1t conferred upon the federal gov
eminent an additional authority, and
gave to it the right to use United
States marshals and Union soldiers to
supervise and control elections in the
south The amendment was finally ac-
cepted by the surprising action of Ma
jority Leader Underwood in joining the
solid Republican minority and northern
Democrats in ramming the objection
able provision down the threats of the
defenseless southern contingent. The
southerners are hopping mad today as
a result of yesterdays work, and Mr.
Underwood is being roundly criticized
for his vote.
The Bristow amendment confers upon
the federal government the right to
control the elections of senators. I'm
der it congress has the right to use
United States marshals and federal
troops to supervise the elections in the
south. 1t has the unquestioned right
to enact a force bill and to fix the
qualification Of electors.
CAN PROTECT NEGRO VOTE.
In the stress Of circumstances, it is
possible, as has been contended by
southern senator's, for congress to re-
A. a.
ployed in reconstruction days in the
south. Senator Bacon, of Georgia, led
the fight against the Bristow amend
ment in the senate, and his protest was
commended universally throughout the
south.
WHERE UNDERWOOD STOOD.
Mr.. Underwood not only defended
and voted for the Bristow amendment
but he also spoke against Judge Bart
let's amendment, providing that CON
gress shall not have power to provide
for the qualification of voters within
the various states, or to authorize the
appointment of supervisors of election,
judges of election or returning boards
to certify the results of any such cleo
tions: nor to authorize the use of
United States marshals, or the military
forces of the United States or troop
of the United States at the polls dur
ing elections"
BROKE HIS PROMISE
Mr. Underwood spoke against and
voted against the amendment notwith-
standing that he had promised Judge
Bartlett to give the amendment his
support Judge Bartlett answered Mr..
Cnderw Gods speech and charged him
with having broken faith. AS the de-
bate ragged, Judge Bartlett, who had
yielded the floor, asked Mr.. Underwood
privately if he had not promised to
support his amendment to prevent the
government from using troops to super
wise elections in the south. Mr.. I'm
derwood admitted that he had made
such a promise, and added that he had
changed his mind" Juge Bartlett had
no notice of this change of mind" un-
til Mr. Underwood arose in his place
and announced his opposition to the
Bartlett amendment. That Mr.. Under
woods unexpected change of front or
the Bristow amendment, against which
he voted before he became a presiden-
tiaI candidate. is a bid for support in
the north is the opinion of most per-
sons in Washington. Color is given
this belief by the announced determI-
nation of the Underwood forces to press
his campaign in the north.