Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-01-15
THE REDUCTION OF REPIsI0SEN
TATION. ..r..'- y

AhxkON. s..e. .s.E'
We have been deeply impressed by
the argument advanced by Tho Nor.
folk, Va, Journal and Guide in It's is-
sue OF the 25ult, in which 1t questions
tho wisdom Of enforcing the provis-
ion Of the Fourteenth Amendment to
tie Constitution providing for the
reduction OF representation from those
States which disfranchise any proper
tlon of its citizens. We question. how
ever the wisdom OF the discussion Of
shlls phase of the situation in the
open. It seems to uB that this kind OF
argument should DO advanced ,'be.
hind closed doors,' so to speak and
after an exhaustive discussion the
question should be decided.
II. tho majority ~ In favor OF do
mandinS the enforcement Of this pro
vision, We should all subordinate our
individual opinions for tho good OF
tho people, with whom we are ident,.
fled. As tho matter now stands, we
are in the position Of attacking our
friends in the rear. while &hey ore
contendfng for our rights at tho front.
The position Of the journal and
Gpide' Is the position or the indivld.
uai, who has had his money stolen
froa aim. The thief lie caught and
tho court fines him nfty dollars.
which fifty dollars, tho court gets,
while the man, who was robbed gets
only the Satisfaction OF seeing the
individual, who atole tho money pun
ished. ~ ..r
We take N that the Journal and
Guide wants affirmative action, that
is .cme action, by which the citizens
Of color, who are now being denied
the right to vote wild be guaranteed
and protected in that right, 1t argues
met tho reduction OF representation
would be in effect a movement to
legalize tho taking away the right 10
vote for tho reason that after the TO
duction of representation had be.
come an actual fact, no proper plea
could be set up for the guaranteeing
to the citizens who had been disfran.
chised the right TO become enfranchis.
ed.
But would this reduction Of repren-
tation legalize tho dlsfranchisement
laws rs claimed by our contempor-
airy? But the Norfolk, Va, Journal
and Guide exposes some secret his
tory. II says:
The writer was instrumental In
killing the movement in tho Rsoss-
welt Administration when it was faith
cred by Congressman Cxumoaeker Of
Indiana, and had Q good chance OF
becoming Law. by converting DR..
Booker T. Washington against 1t
who In turn convinced President
Roosevelt that 1t wac dangerous
measure. President Roosevelt prompt
ly nokiftcd Mr.. CrumpReker that II
tho bin should become q law, no
wcald veto II. That Ailled the move
mont. a..
It may ss that NANNY OF tho Hhs'
takes Nade By the celebrated Rooss
volt In his dealings with tho sslorsd
people were the direct results Of these
unde--handed methods to accomplish
what could not be brought about in
the open. Dr.. Booker T. Washington
rnennt well, but he had no experience
in politics and there are accommodating
cvidcnt &C that in dabbling IN It, he
made mess Of It. What is handicap
ping the colored people Of this country
&c this indivlduallsm as against unit.
Ell action in the premises.
This able journal comments fur.
Their:
During the recent Republican Nat
ional Convention sessions efforts were
made by representative Afro-Ameri
cans, headed by Henry Lincoln John
son OF Georgia, Isaac II. Nutter OF
New Jersey and many others to con,
NIT the Republican party to DECLARE
| ton in the platform in favor of re
dnction Of Southern representation
but the platform committee refused
to do go.
How can we win. If the men, who
lead us are handicapped and embar
raised In their efforts by other color
| oil leaders, who SEQ or think that they
see a better method OF accomplishing
beneficial results for us rs people
Hon. Henry Lincoln Johnson comes
direct from the Republican voters IL
the heart OF the Southland and he 1.
! qualified to speak for us all. Hon
Isaac Fl. Nutter has just been elected
| to tho legislature OF West Virginia
Both are in better position to repre-
| sent tho colored people Of the country
!