Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-06-23
A Bill "TO Alter the Laws o.
OhiO.''

The Nep York Journal Of Commerce is
not partisan paper, but it is, as its name
indicates, a commercial paper, and edited
with ability of the first order. In its issue
of the 2Oth, it bestows the following COM
ments upon Mr.. SHELLABARGER's bill to
alter the laws of Ohio:
ssWe find this startling phrase In the
title of a bill lately offered by Mr.. Shella-
barger in the House of Representatives.
The laws of Ohio, which this Radical gen.
tleman desires Congress to alter, are those
prescribing the manner of electiDg MEM
bers of Congress. The Constitution of the
United States (sec. w., y says: The
times, places and manner of holding elec-
tions tor Senators and Representatives shall
be prescrib, in each State by the Legis-
lature thereof; but the Congress may at
any time by law make, or alter, such regu-
lations, except as to the places of choosing
Senator's Nothing in this provis-
ion justifies the impertinent and
offensive expression, to alter the
laws of Ohio The phrase is prob
ably employed to impress upon the people
of Ohio, and the rest of the country, a
proper idea OF the vastly superior wisdom
and far reaching power of Congress, ex.
when they stand in the way of the Radi-
cal Juggernaut. The particular law to be
altered. in this instance, is the so-called
visible admiXture' statute, passed by the
Ohio Legislature last April. Under the
Constitution of the State, as judicially in
terpreted by the Supreme Court of Ohio,
persons of African descent having a pre-
ponderance of white blood, and having the
other qualifications of electors in that
State, are allowed to vote for members of
the Assembly, and also for Representatives
in Congress. The question of determining
the 'preponderan ce of white blood has
proved embarrassing. To facilitate the
vent frauds the Legislature passed law
requiring persons of African descent, in
whom there was not visible'preponderance
OF white BLOOD to be examined under
oath. This law is declared to be unconsti-
tutional by the Supreme Court of the
State.
"Such is the knot which Mr.. Shellabarger
proposes to cut with the sharp sword of
Congressional authority. The title of his
bill, irritating as it is meant to be to
the pride of the people of Ohio, is but
foretaste of the astounding presump-
tion of the bill itself. 1t is not merely
the laws of Ohio,' but the Constitu-
ton of that State, which this pio-
neer of Radicalism would alter In Sec
tion two of the bill, the privilege of voting
for Representatives in Congress is extend
ed to electors having African blood.'
Nothing is said about 'preponderance of
white blood.' That qualification is art
fully omitted in every passage of the bill
where the word African appears. Full
blooded negroes could vote, according to
this bill. In fact, the more african blood
they have, the more clearly would they be
entitled to the special immunities and favors
extended TO them. They are permitted by
the bill to do that which no other class of
the community is authorized to do; namely,
n lDnt fn
choose canvassers and inspectors of election
exclusively among and for themselves.
These officers of election decide what votes
to receive and what to reject, and the votes
cast must be counted in the general result.
Any person who attempts to enforce the
visible admixture act fin Ohio shall be
deemed guilty of high crime, and liable
to imprisonment for one year, aud fine of
$4,000. This remarkable bill, by which,
if passed, Congress will metaphorically
wipe its feet on the Constitution and laws
OF Ohio, has been read twice, referred to
the committee of Elections, and ordered to
be printed.
"What next ?"