Evening star., 1938-01-28

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side cares any. =. .-.
thing really
about the anti-lynching legislation,
for while lynching is to be deplored.
and there ought to be some way to
prevent its recurrence, the bill now
pending Is unquestionably unconsti-
tutional and would never achieve the
ends sought even if it were held valid
by the Supreme Court of the United
States.
The measure proposes to give the
Federal Government power to prose-
cute sheriffs and local officers for
neglect of duty if lynchings occur.
This is a use of Federal power which,
II carried to logical conclusion. would
mean that the State police power
could be supervised and held respon-
sible to the Federal power in every
thing else, including lynching.
Politics Is Aim.
But the merits of the proposed re-
form have little or nothing to do
with the lineup in the Senate. Any
bill that ostensibly is in the interest
of greater power for the Negro is
bound to awaken controversy as be-
tween Northern and Southern Demo-
Gratis In the South few Negroes are
allowed to vote, but in the Northern
cities, especially during the last two
decades, the Negroes have become
such an important balance of power
in a half-dozen States that United
Ctot 1sta tn thn roti-
tions Of Negro groups more than
ever before in our whole history.
1t is significant that in the vote
to end debate by applying the cloture
or gag rule. the Northern Democrats
voted almost solidlv in favor of fore
ing the debate to come to an end so
that the measure itself could be voted
upon. The Republicans played poll
tics by lining themselves up against
cloture because they wanted to en-
barrass the Democrats. For, after all,
the Democrats have an overwhelm-
ing majority. and if they cannot put
through bill friendly to the Negroes,
then the Republicans will have
chance-at least so they think today
to call attention to it in the next cam
paiEn and perhaps win back the enor-
nous number of Negro votes which
used to be Republican, but which
deserted the G. o. P. in 1886.
Record Vote May Come.
If the debate goes on, maybe there
will be a record vote. When the time
comes for the yeas and nays-if it
ever does come-the Republicans
doubtless will with few exceptions vote
for the measure so as to show the
Negroes they are their stanch friends.
The Northern Democrats will also
vote for the bill. The Southern Demo-
Gratis will be found in a separate group
against the measure. The possibility
that the bill might pass if the Repub-
licans and Northern Democrats COM
bine in such that the Southern Demo-
Gratis are trying to talk the measure
to death by prolonged debate This
is government by minority but it is
often resorted to as protection
against insincerity on the part Of the
ma iority In this instance doubtless
most Of those who will vote for the
measure do not believe it is con-
stitutional or practical either.
Some parliamentary device, no
doubt, will be developed soon to get
rid of the anti-lynching bill through
. motion to lay it on the table or to
eend 1t back to committee for further
etudy-either plan being calculated to
enable Northern Democratic Senator
to say to Negro mass meetings next
fall that he did his utmost to get the
bill enacted but that other Senators
prevented this from happening.
Members Tired Of Debate.
The business of the United States
must go on and members are frankly
tired of the long filibustering debate
but politics must be served. WAYS
and means must be devised apparently
TO take care Of political plots and
eonspiracies that may loom large in
the autumn campaign, especially In
close districts.
The Negro has for many years been
Q Republican voter. During 1886 there
were substantial defections and in
some States the Negroes voted the
Democratic ticket by a ratio Of nearly
u to !, The Negroes, however, fol-
lowed the general trend which at the
time was based upon the belief that
the Roosevelt administration had
brought real prosperity. A huge
proportion of the Negro voters were
on w. P. A. Jobs or had been bene-
f1tted by relief, especially in the
Northern cities. The Democrats or
ganized this vote very effectively. The
Northern Senator's on the Democratic
ticket need this vote In November.
1888, to get reelected. The Repub-
ncans need 1t badly to get their ac-
customed strength of the past.
Hence all the maneuverine and
political debating that has occupied
the United States Senate since earlv
this month. As for the development
Of . public sentiment within the
Southern States to prevent further
lynchings or to bring to the bar Of
Justice those who clandestinely partici-
pate in them, it is doubtful whether
much has been accomplished. More
could be done by exposure through
the powerful investigation procedure
Of the United States Senate Commit
tee and attendant publicity than by
law that would be almost impossible
q enforcement and would not reach
70 the root Of the problem-the dila-
tory processes Of the Law in admins
tsring punishment to those guilty Of
heinous crimes.
(copyright. 1889