The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-24

in the House OF Representatives May 10, 1896.
Mr. COBB desire to reply to the remarks which have
tend 10 propose an amendment myself Therefore, am
not willing to pursue which win preclude me from
that opportunity. , - -.
Just taken his became ardent more eloquent ana
enthusiastic at that point Of his remarks where ne
dulged 10 charge q coalition against ms n "
The gentleman seemed TO lay much stress upon the iaea
that to carry this bill through there had been coalition
between the republican and the democratic parties The
history Of this session of Congress- made up your
ord will exhibit the country whether the coalition with
the republicans has been more frequently made and more
successfully carried out by the party OF my friend from
Maryland or by the democratic party There was not
full coalition the TINE that you, sir conducted to
that chair but il not the fault Of friend from Mary
land ILaughter He says that on this question we
have formed coalition Will he look at the record and
see the vote stands the test questions that have
been before the House2 II he does he will find himself
there recorded with much larger number of the republic
party than he will find recorded with this side OF the
House But In addition to all that sir my friend from
Kentucky Mr. MARSHALL Mortified at the idea
Of coalition with the republican party yesterday for he
made direct appeal to them to to the rescue and 10
stand by them Not only is the coalition existing between
you and the majority Of the republican party but ac
ualy existing your earnest request and all who do not
unite and cooperate with you have themselves and not
you, to blame for that You are innocent Ny friend
from Kentucky on yesterday appealed TO them lie SAID
sGentlemen on the other side will understand that
not surprised at the course they are pursuing have al
ways their views but had supposed ha the
rights Of the native citizen and more nearly with
the views great Of the American people upon the
questions connected with suffrage"
My friend from Kentucky thought yesterday that his
party and the republican party were nearer together than
were the republican party and the democratic party
thought be was right yesterday Of the opinion
to-day and give him the full benefit of all that he can
make Of IT, But the gentleman from Maryland is not
only responsible for the appeals made by his party ascot
he himself concluded his argument to-day by address,
ing himself earnestly to the an-Nebraska sentiment
of that side Of the House in order to induce sympathy
with him this question: and to get them to unite with
him in warning this bill Take, then your appeal
the appeal Of your friend your record the record OF
your friends made during this session of Congress and
they all point to that important coalition which to
defeat the democratic candidate for the presidency and
you have the power and if your influence be felt install
into the presidential chair a BLACK republican
But sir not disposed leave the merits of
this question: and follow the gentleman from
of these side issues. He has made points this bill,
and propose to meet them Sir the best reply that can
offer to what has been said by my friend from Mary land
would be to call the attention of the House for
ment to the provisions of this bill What they Four
objects proposed to be accomplished by it One is to
prevent the commissioners of elections from committing
frauds in the election. Another to enable the minority
of the board Of aldermen and common council to have
friends there, although he will be in minority. The
third is to provide for additional precincts in order that all
ne citizens may have opportunity of voting without
ZACH of riot confusion and it may be- boodshed
have occurred in other cities The fourth is give
ample time for voting-beween o'clock in the morn
ag and o'clock in the afternoon These the four
IN outrage on American sentiment and American prin-
iple
Which of these provisions outrages the American
sentiment of the country Is it that which requires your
commissioners of election to act honestly for with all
that my friend from Maryland has said no honest commits
.ioner will subject himself to the penalties of the law.
Every dishonest ought to be subjected them ap
prehend then that will place his opposition to the
bill upon that provision. will discuss fully the de-
tails OF the argument in regard to that provision there
objection to allowing the minority member of the
BOARD of commissioners of election provided for in this
bl3 Do gentlemen desire that the majority shall have
the entire control of the baobox connected with the fact
that they unwilling to subject those who have the
troll of the votes to the penalties which this law proposes
impose for dishonest and fraudulent conduct
Put the two provisions together and less chari-
table than myself might place very unfavorabe
ton upon the opposition of gentlemen these provisions
OF the bithe construction that you determined FIRST
that the minority shall have commissioner there aid
in experimenting the election and that you deter
mined, secondly, that commissioner who perperates
fraud upon any citizens upon all the citizens shall not
be punished therefor The other remaining provisions
the bill the gentleman from Maryland says he does OBJ
ject to.
Now ask what is there in all this to incur the hostility
and opposition that have been manifested on this floor
against the passage Of this bill Gentlemen say that this
question OF suffrage not properly regulated in this city
agree with them IT Is not properly regulated And, sir
correcting that evil 1t met fate with which every
is familiar The reason of the opposition which then
inequalities and those injustces in regard right of
suffrage That bill had TO be abandoned by its friends
we had TO leave for another time the correction of those
things OF which complain in regard to the right of
ag In order mat might at least strive under
ent law TO the benefits of honest election
now s what we desired was to pass this BILL and al
low this people under the existing laws have fair and
honest bona @ expression Of the public sentiment through
the voters at the election that soon
transpe Does any man believe that the passage Of this
bill will prevent that resu7 Has any man offered an ar
gument to show that the passage Of this bill will produce
any other than q fair expression Of public opinion II
not then why not give this people the benefit Of these
provisions and allow them TO have this law carried into
effect In time to permit them to derive the benefit of al
the coming electon2
But my friend from Kentucky not content with these
provisions although he and his friends defeated the bill
upon that ground when 4 proposed to settle th
very question ofsufrage comes in with an amend.
men for the purpose Of amending the law on the subject
OF suffrage. To that amendment sir am utterly opposed
desire that II may be read in order that may presen,
to the House my for opposing H. and believe
that understood by this House IL will be voted down
shall In this connection, offer to the gentleman from
Kentucky substitute for his amendment and will give
my reasons for II after II has been read.
Mr. MARsHALLs amendment was reported, as follows:
cember and the day OF election any year. shall be entitled
10 vote at the next succeeding election only the
conditions required by existing laws OF native born
citizens who arrive at the age OF years be-
tween December and the day Of election In the year
Mr. COBB. Now, sir upon It's face that amendment ap-
pears all right and It's injustice il only seen and known
when you come to look at in connection with the law as
now stands-the construction put upon which was 30
much complained Of BY the gentleman from Maryland,
mr. DAVIS
Under the existing laws no one has right to vote un
less he be citizen has arrived the age Of
years and In addition to that has paid his school No
one Is required to pay his school tax unless his name is
placed the register IN Daconbor