The Omaha guide., 1934-11-03

In choosing a governor November 6, the Negroes Of Nebraska
and especially the Negroes of Omaha, who are inclined to liberal
views must proceed with proper precaution in selecting the man
who they believe will serve in their best interest in the State House
In Lincoln, irregardless Of party or party affiiaion- At this cleo
tion they must choose between two candidates. One a Republican,
Dir. Dwight Griswold, who by his record is not only an avowed dry,
but has sponsored some bills which were presented in the legislature
IN 1921 and 1925, which were absolutely inimicle in their inter-
est. On the other hand Roy L. Cochran, the Democratic candidate
for governor, who by his record has been absolutely fair in his
dealings viii our group. At this stage OF our political development
we should begin to vote for men and measures, instead OF longer
voting bindly for parties Mr. Griswold, the candidate for governor
on the Republican ticket is an admirable gentleman, but it is not
enough to only consider a candidate by his private life only, but
also bv the record Of his public life as well. Mr.. Griswolds record
while a member of the State Senate speaks for itself, among other
bills INTRODUCED by him was the bill known as the Fright to Vote
Bll'' which is here given below: mo person shall be qualified
to vote unless he can demonstrate ability to read, write and under
stand the English language This bill as can be seen IS almost ren
tical with the "Grand Father Clause bill by which the Negro OF
thaet is the part which reads: "No person shall be qualified to vote
unless he can demonstrate ability to read, write and understand the
English language, provided however, their ancestors voted prior to
1860. By strictly enforcing this bill to the letter it would dis
franchise at least forty per cent Of the Voters Of Nebraska. The
word understand" is construed to mean being able to properly in
terpet and make a proper application of phrase, sentence and para
graphs as may be proosed by the judges and challenges Oh electons at
te polls, as for example: "When in the course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
bond which connects them with another, a decent respect for the
opinions of mankind should impel them to declare the cause of separa-
ton l cite this, taken from the preamble Of the constitution Of the
United States, which is So often used in the states where the Grand
father clause law is in Vogue. We can't gainsay the fact that had
it not been declared unconstitutional by the U. S. supreme court,
it would have DISTINGUISHED the uneducated Negro as well as the
foreign born and uneducated whites. Mr. Griswold also sponsored a
bill known as the "Pnt Law" bill, making it mandatory for anyone
found with as much as a pint of whiskey on his person to be prose
cuted as a feon and sent to prison for two years, the bill follows:
providing, however, the carrying or transporting of more than one
pint of Intoxicating liquor shall be pr a face evidence that such
Liquor is being carried or transported for the purpose of sale, /"
and making a prison sentence mandatory You may see by this
how unsound and unsafe are the political doctrine of the republican
nominee for governor.
For reasons explained above the Negro must learn that politics
is purely an economic question and not a moral or spiritual one. The
Negro has no more right to vote against his own interest than the
white man has to vote against hi Why vote for repeal on the one
hand who may veto the bill on the other hand? Is that the part of
wise men and women? What differences does it make what may be
his political faith as long as he stands for that for which you stand.
True Mr.. Griswold has said on the stump and in the press that he
would give the people what they showed by their vote they wanted.
But why give man a gun just to see if you take it away from him,
the experiment is too dagerous. There may be a sipp some thing
might happen Why'take chances? Can the leopard change its
spots? "Tt is best to be afe than sorry. Mr. Cochran, the Democrat
ic candidate, is liberal in his views fair and honest in his dealings,
and safe and sound on questions pertaining to the human rights Of
all the people as the property rights Of the many. Be safe, and vote
for Roy L. Cochran for Governor, of Nebraska, Tuesday, Nov. Sixth