The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-07-26
THE llTERACY TEST

Every democratic voter in Oklahoma
and every white voter who Is inter
ested more in the virtues of good gov
ernment than in mere party success
is anxious to see the 7th state ques-
ton carry. in the primary election or
the nine questions presented, this one
is numbered six, and it is voted diff
fercntly from the other questions In
order to vote for that amendment 1t
needs to be left untouched. In other
words, pass over section without
touching 1t and 1t is voted as you
want to have 1t voted.
las an argument favoring the adop'
tion of this amendment, the Oklaho-
man says:
"On August | the voters of Oklaho-
ma will say whether in the nature of
affairs. of the commonwealth there
shall be imposed literacy test for
doctors Our republican and socialist
friends are foaming at the mouth at
every mention of the matter This Is
not particularly to be wondered at,
perhaps, inasmuch as 1t is their wont
tb generate more or less foam at the
bare thought of any measure originat-
ihg with the democrats; but in this in
stance they are saying a great many
foolish things in their opposition to
the proposed amendment, technically
denominated senate joint resolution
No. g."
The republicans profess to fear that
the amendment, If placed on the stat
ute books, will be direct blow at the
negroes of Oklahoma, and that 1t is
intended purely and simply as a meas
ure against the blacks The fact that
this argument is not supported by cir
cumstances does not in the least worry
the opposition, and much empty twad'
die is emanating from its camps.
One would be tempted to believe, not
knowing better, that Oklahoma is the
only state in the union which has
ever thought of literacy test for its
voters. This conclusion might follow
As "A result of the well simulated fear
of the republicans and socialists if it
did not SO happen that the intelligent
people of the state know otherwise.
A number of other states have sim
liar tests. Some of them have had
them for years, and in some of them
the negro vote is so negligible as to
amount to practically naught. Our re-
publican friends, for instance, have not
felt called upon to explain why they
have neglected heretofore to go into
tantrums over the examples of Maine,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts,, Rhode
Island and Connecticut. These states,
typical northeastern commonwealths,
are in the republican column. Theoret.
ically each of them is hidebound re-
publican stronghold Yet each of them
imposes a literacy test upon those who
would vote in its elections.
And we have never heard the accusa-
tion that Maine, New Hampshire, Mas
sachusetts, Rhode Island and Connec-
ticut were attempting to trample their
negro populations under foot
This gives one a comprehensive idea
of just how little basis there is for the
attacks which are being made on the
test which Oklahoma proposes to i'm
pose on its electorate II the republic
ans agree that the test is wise for
Maine, New Hampshire. Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island and Connecticut,
why is it not wise for Oklahoma?
Oklahoma. like all the other states
which demand certain qualifications,
merely wants to safeguard its ballot
1t desires that when a vote is cast il
shall be an Intelligent vote, and GER
tainly no voter who is unable to pass
the simple test provided In senate Joint
49, kH