The Washington times., 1912-08-06
NORTHERN MEN
FEAR BOLT OF
COLOR[O VOTE
Roosevelt's Stand for White
Southern Delegates
Enforced.

CHICAGO, Aug. 6.--The action of the
National Progressive committee in de-
Gliding the Southern contest cases
against the colored claimants to seats,
has precipitated the first situation that
suggests anything like real controversy
in the convention.
The race issue, curiously enough.
turns out to be the only source of real
contention. There is genuine concern
about Il in number of Northern
States. The proposal to exclude colored
delegates from Southern States, which
was laid down by Colonel Roosevelt
in his Harris letter. and has been mado
the rule Of the committee, has caused
murmuring Of real discomfort.
Fear Loss of Vote.
A couple Of specific cases will illus
trate the embarrassment In the st.
Paul, Minn., district, Hugh Halbert,
Progressive, Is a candidate for Con-
gress. There Is a considerable colored
population In the district, and the col
ored people incline to be Progressives
But actual investigation among them,
1t is stated, has developed that they
will be affronted II their brethren ut
the South are Disseminated against In
the formation of the new party. Hal
bert wants those colored votes in his
race for Congress, and IL saying 30.
He doesn't want the new party to start
with policy that. as he believes, will
turn away from 1t the vast majority
of colored votes at the North.
There are many thousands OF them |;
in a large number Of Congressional and
Lebislative districts they are an i'm
CATION had long discussion OF the sub
tect on the way into Chicago. and 1t
got so animated that most of the dele
gates refused to vote when the question.
Of giving square deal to the colored
man" was put UP to them.
Important Element.
In Indiana and Ohio the colored vote
is very large; in Ohio, probably 5000;
In Indiana. even larger in proportion
to the States population. II Is really
a grave matter. In Iowa there Is ono
Congressional district in which the col
ored miners are so numerous and pro-
gressive that they have kept Congress-
man Kendall in his seat as a Republi-
can the last two terms. Without them
he could not have won either time.
To drive them away might drive Ken
dall away from the Progressive party.
ne mas hOt DlInSeI 10 Dut
he might: to offend his faithful coiored
clientele would make II doubly difficult
for him to come In.
These situations are typical OF many
variety of advices as to what ought to
be done In the situation 1t IL entirely
unlikely. however, that any change will
be made In the program, for the very
conclusive reason. on the whole. that
the majority OF delegates seem convinc-
ed that the Roosevelt program is right.
even though In some particular situa-
tions IT may seem inexpedient.
This Isn't starting as an expediency
party. nor Is II starting with the expec-
tation that there is going to be only one
campaign.
Enthusiasm in South.
A delegate from Alabama said today:
Il was at the Baltimore convention.
and was for Oscar Underwood. didn't
like 1t when they nominated Wilson.
Anyhow, ] had had an idea for many
years that Henry Grady was right in
his forecast that one dav the whites
of the South would divide into two DO
litical parties, and the South would be
the better for II.
80 ! went into the Progressive par
ty. and I'm going to stay. This year
Roosevelt will poll vastly bigger vote
than any other Republican ever pollcd
since we secured the measures for ex-
Guiding the colored man from politics.
] don't say he will carry the State, but
do say that, should the campaign take
the turn that seems likely now, there
would actually be reasons for hoping to
see Roosevelt carry Alabama
AT anv rate, the whole South Is sim
cerely ready for a new deal; the old
Democratic party. founded only on that
local issue. doesn't meet the needs Of
the New South. II only they will start
this new party in a way that will hold
out to us the assurance that we can
get into new and progressive white
mans party, there will be some big
changes all through the South.
1t is the one and only Way to brea X
up the solid south, and for the sake of
both the South and the country, that
needs to be done"