The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1944-05-03
More Texas

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versed in law and supporting the
Constitution, who lamented the
decision and made a feeble at
tempt to Justify his dissent-his
justification being noticeably one
sided, in that he thought it un-
wise to "disturb the equilibrium
of home affairs" in these tur-
bulent times. OF course he
doesn't mind keeping a few mil
lion Negro Americans underfoot
and Tin the mud" while he lends
his moral influence CD toward
resurrecting "down-trodden" Eu-
rope and Asia for democracy.
We wonder If this man is fit
to sit on the bench of the United
States Supreme Court.
But let us try to analyze this
peculiar situation in which ''hon-
orable men" CD are ready to
defy the edict of our highest tri-
bunals: What is behind this
great determined antipathy to the
Negro vote? Is it the old time
color line where the Southern
Democrat doesn't want to mix
and rub shoulders with the dark
er brother at the polling places?
Or is 1t just the idea that the
Negro Texan might enjoy some
thing like an equal opportunity
for ''self determination - an
idea usually based in common
jealousy?
The writer of this article is
a Texan-by birth - training -
education - loyalty - pride
(the little that is left and love
of native land-belonging to the
third generation of an old well
known Texas family. Some claim
is therefore made to a knowledge
of Texas affairs and history.
In answer to the above ques-
tons: We are afraid that there
is something = or things much
deeper and more serious than
petty jealousies Or even preju-
dices. Some things that need
the light turned on them, or that
need dragging out into Gods
beautiful sunshine-for the cur
ing or purifying benefits they
might obtain.
Now it is a well known fact
that all affairs of state" (pub-
lie affairs) in Texas are con-
trolled by the Democratic Party
and its political machine which
operates at best speed in the
Democratic primaries. These
affairs of state" naturally in
clude all public offices, appoint
ments to state positions and jobs.
public contracts, education, prison
system and of course the expendi-
ture of all state funds-most of
this commonly known as 'polit-
ical pie"
And it is also known - or
strongly suspected, that certain
"off the record" activities are
supported or controlled through
this same machinery.
The obvious result of this set
up is-of course-that outside
one state college (Prairie View
and one deaf, dumb and blind
school at Austin. no Negro in
Texas holds a state job or posi-
ton
No Negro ever holds a public
works contract, large or small,
in Texas, o. is on a decent pay
roll for same!
And we could mention all the
other instances within our knowl-
edge, where Negro citizens do
NOT benefit from the state treas
ury, in spite Of the fact that the
Negro taxpayer in Texas is well
up in the matter of percentages
and comparisonsl
And the Negro Texan has no
voice In making the laws by
which he is governed! Shades of
'76!
But laws have been made
many of which handicap, belittle,
embarrass and discriminate
against these citizens, regardless
of how such laws seem to read,
while the less honorable schemer
in Texas takes advantage of these
laws to save" cheat, exploit and
steall :
We refer to jim-crow laws on