The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-12
For the Good of
 the Community

DdVlQ FdrK0r, COlOr0Q, WHO ndS been one of the leading members of that race in Bir- mingham and this section of the state for number of years
 Parker represents the better element of that race, is industrious intelligent and good citizen. He is qualified to vote in so far as intelligence and good citizen ship go.
 There are thousands of negroes in Ala bama of this type who are loyal, hard working and law-abiding citizens. They compose the largest element of that race in the state.
 There are no anarchists, bolshevists or l. w. WIS among the negroes, except few who have listened to false teachings or followed the vicious element in the white race.
 The negroes, as rule, are peaceable, industrious and contented. No negro has ever started movement to disrupt the government. In the days of reconstruc- ton, when spoilsmen from the north came down here to enrich themselves at the ex- pense of the white people of the south, they fooled the negroes, and by bribes, in the way of political offices and promises of forty acres and mule, influenced Some of them to antagonize the white pop ulation.
 With the restoration of peace in the south the negroes settled back into life of hard work and contentment, with here and there malcontent who tried to stir up trouble.
 The negroes have never voted, in any considerable numbers, with the white men of the state, but there are indications that they are beginning to realize their error. It may be that, if voting in the future, they would not vote as unit with the white race, or the majority of that race, but the probabilities are they would divide along lines similar to the division among the white voters.
 Certain it is, however, that only a very few of them would vote against the best interests of their state and their country, if these interests were properly presented to them by men in whom they have confi- dence. They would not vote for an an- archist or bolshevist if they knew it.
 Under the present state constitution it is possible for large per cent of the negro men over 21 years of age to vote; possibly not 50 per cent of them, but certainly the total in the state would be several thou sand. Here in Jefferson county there are probably between 5000 and 10000 ne groes who could qualify under the cleo tion laws, and it might be good thing for the city, the county and the state if they would do so
 The federal government forced the ne- gro vote upon the white people of the south at time when there were very few that could read or write, or that owned property. At that time they were not fit subjects for the franchise, but it was given them, and for over thirty years they exer- cised it. During that period they made no particular effort to better their own con- ditions but in the eighteen years since the restriction of the franchise in this state they have made great progress in educa- tion, in industry and in good citizenship.
 If they are good citizens and have the interests of their state and their country at heart there be no valid reason for excluding them from the elections at which the makers and the adminis- trators of the law are elected.
 The ignorant and vicious element of the negroes should not be allowed to vote, and no more should that element of the white race be given a say in the selection of officials or the making of laws.
 The leaders among the negroes in Birmingham %nI kI> sl~ s>> 1~-A