the existence of but one political party is tolerated.

Fifth. Notwithstanding the immense increase in the value of taxable
property, and in spite of the enormous sums paid into the State Treasury
each year, there has been a material increase in the bonded debt of the
State. In fact it has been necessary at different times to borrow money
with which to pay the current expenses of the State Government.

The following statistics for three years, 1907, 1908 and 1909, would
seem to substantiate the above statement:

The value of the taxable property of the State in 1907 was $373,584.960.
Receipts from all sources that year were $3,391,127.15. Disbursements
for the same period were $3,730,343.29. Excess of disbursements over
receipts, $339,216.14.

In 1908 the value of taxable property was $383,823,739. Receipts from
all sources that year were $3,338,398.98. Disbursements, same period,
$3,351,119.46. Excess of disbursements over receipts, $12,720.48.

In 1909 the value of taxable property was $393,297,173. Receipts from
all sources were $3,303,963.65. Disbursements, same period,
$3,315,201.48. Excess of disbursements over receipts, $11,237.83.

On the first day of January, 1907, what is called the payable debt of
the State was reported to be $1,253,029.07. On the first day of January,
1876, it was $520,138.33. Increase, $732,890.74.

CHAPTER IX

WHAT CONSTITUTES "NEGRO DOMINATION"

It is claimed that in States, districts, and counties, in which the
colored people are in the majority, the suppression of the colored vote
is necessary to prevent "Negro Domination,"--to prevent the ascendency
of the blacks over the whites in the administration of the State and
local governments.

This claim is based upon the assumption that if the black vote were not
suppressed in all such States, districts, and counties, black men would
be supported and elected to office because they were black, and white
men would be opposed and defeated because they were white.

Taking Mississippi for purposes of illustration, it will be seen that
there has never been the slightest ground for such an apprehension. No
colored man in that State ever occupied a judicial position above that
of Justice of the Peace and very few aspired to that position. Of seven
State officers only one, that of Secretary of State, was filled by a
colored man, until 1873, when colored men were elected to three of the
seven offices,--Lieutenant-Governor, Secret