Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-04-18
Negro Voters Dilemma

ing decide who the best for president Of these United
Since the Negro still under special pressure dcrm
mated against daily by fiat law and custom he In not able 10
afford the luxury Of observing each candidate from the lofty
approach Of Of his fortunate fellow citizens
His approach however Ia similar 70 that Of the
farmers labor industry and the manufacturers, all Of
have their measuring rods which they apply
ddAtes for public office.
@ Usually whenever Negroes vote for party which
pleaseS their interests they labeled bloc voterths Is
laughter every interest In America controls tries
TO control blOcs Of votes Apparently the only time II
Ia when Negroes try i'll
As example, After keeping South Carolina Negroes
from voting for years their oppresor complained when the
IT, r. Supreme Court forced the polls to them that they
(the Negroes voted racial bloc All they did what al
any American would do In similar circumstance
against those which had kept them from exercising their
right of franchise before Certainly they would have been less
smart 10 vote for the Dxecats who tried TO keep them
from exercising their ballot
In the i94s campaign all three candidates Dewey, Tru
aud the Inflated Wallace and champions Of
the extension to NegroAmecans Of equal rights and priv
egea Many Negroes who voted for Truman trusted Dewey
but going let the Msaouran down when the south
part Of H. in revolt against him because Of his civil
rights stand Wallace they liked but discarded when the
Communist influence observed pulling the Progressive
party strings
80 far there Ia avowed active presidential candidate
In either political party who has announced strong federal
civil rights program This places the Negro voters especially
the four million IN the north, IN dilemma.
Estes Kefauvcr the front running Democrat from TenncS
tries sound liberal the civil rights ssuepromes to
abide by the decision Of the Democratic patform-at Hum
phrey proddingbu oil this doesn't ring true 10 the critical
Negro.Amercan voter Right he has appeal 10 Negro
voters.
Stevenson of Illinois according to JET Magazine poll of
Negroes presently holding offices gets s5 per cent Of their
support this and date he avowed candidate
Hubert II, Humphrey who Il also not n candidate got
Of 10 per cent the bronze skinned political office
holders II Humphrey decided TO become serious contender
he probably could attract the largest Negro support because Of
his fight In that groups behalf throughout ha whole adult life
Gov. Menncn Williams though not well known nation.
ally the three mentioned before In Democratic ranks Is
well thought Of by Michigan Negroes
Senator Robert Kerr former governor Of Oklahoma
not popular among the Negro Americans Of his home
state ANY candidate who doeant into the national
presidential without the blessings Of large segment
Of his home states Negroes not apt 10 attract the favor
Of Negro voters nationally.
Senator Richard Russell Georgia who thinks such things
"cvi rights" for Negroes "eOmmunistc" of IL
not considered presidential timber by this group His ap
pearanee the Democratic ticket a vice presidential
candidate would wholesale exodus among enrolled
Negro Democrats aud those independent Negro who
have been voting for Democrats for president FDR
or all of the southerners Judge Fred Vnson might do
fairly web with this group of voters since his Supreme
decisions have been favorable the extension Of full
rights TO the Negro
Avsrn Hartman might be able 70 obtain consider.
able support since Negro voters for reason insnc-
lively 70 trust wealthy ASpran6 for political office
especially they alleged 10 be in the Franklin ROoss
vslt tradition
Eisenhower this date have captured the i'm
lie win not be able to hold this present good climate II he
equivocacs civil rights and does change his formerly
expressed opinion that Army Indignation won't work
Professional Negro politicians have considerable amra
ton for Senator Robert Taft despite his generally poor
issues affecting this Of the country population II
the Republicans nominate him. he will be extremely vulnerable
because his interest In the Negro One Tenth neither
constructive,
Governor Earl Warren has fairly good support from
California Negroes although have read nothing his
record that indicates his real position the civil rights
issue.
Harold Stassen who has standing with the majority Of
Minnesota Negroes backed by Joe Louis the former heavy
weight champion Apparently Saen won't be able make the
ticket II miracle should happen and he gains either
top COP nominations he would be weak candidate for that
party to present 10 Aframerican voters.
OF other Republicans mentioned, New Jerseys Gov Al
fred DriscO would strong Negroes AS Of
fact II he decided become serious candidate he could
pace Ike among Negro because he has ousand
ing record Of friendship and interest In their peculiar prob
lens
II the presidential aspirantS think they going
around the $i civil rights questions they badly mistaken
Negro leaders of all shades Of political opinion going
meet in New York early in May TO plan strategy to force
candidate to say either yea the question which