Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-03
STARTLING PROGRAMME,
Reconstruction tn be Heconstructed-Tht
New Radical Scheme-AH tho
States to have their Elec-
lions Suspended
by Grant.


New York Tribune, may be regarded as
official, though it is thrown out as a feeler.
If the Virginia Legislature shall not now
take steps towards holding the Congress
sional elections at different time from all
other elections, it will deserve universal
condemnation
Washington Telegram to the N. Y. Tribune.
No more important question was ever
submitted to any Congress or any Adminis-
traton than that which is forced upon the
Government at the present time by this al
legged condition of affairs. Senators Sumner,
Morton, Conkfing. and others, have con-
sidered it seriously but have failed to dis
cover any method Of relief. Senator Nor
ton, particularly, is now studying the sub
iect, and finds cause for grave apnrehen-
sion.
| All see the constitutional impossibility
OF interference by Congress in State or
municipal elections, but, at the same time,
they urge the necessity of such interior
ence as the only means of escape from
them (the Southern loyalists, carpet-bag-
gers, scalIawags, and negroes). That
Congress has no power to control their
State affairs, they reply, in the desperation
of their helplessne IS, that sthe Government
ought to be able to protect its loyal citi-
zens against the attacks of those who, but
few years since, sought to destroy it, -
| and declare that a condition of rebellion.
without slavery as O foundation, it is true,
but with the slaveholding spirit of ami
mostly to Republicanism as its basis, now
exists in many localities as rampant in its
| defiance of yankee laws" rs it did at
any time during the war. To such reioin-
ders as these it is difficult to make answer.
Their efforts will eliminate in an attempt
to extend the power Of Congress in the
matter Of the election of its own members,
so as to give it virtual control of'all State,
or municipal elections in the county,
| Startling as this announcement may be, 1t
is, nevertheless, true, and two bills having
this object in view are now before the
House Judiciary Committee. These bills
propose the erection of a system of super
| Wis ion by United States officers appointed
by the United States Circuit Court, over
all the elections held in either the North
or the South, at which Congressman or
delegates to Congress may be chosen, not
withstanding State, territorial, or munich
pal laws to the contrary. In other words.
it is proposed to assume that the undoubt-
ed power of Congress to supervise the cleo
| ton OF its own members when such cleo
tons, Or registration for such elections,
takes place, can be extended so as TO in
clude supervision over registration and
| the canvass of votes for every other Office
voted for at that election. The machinery
[ of this system is complicated, but perfect
SO far as the objects to be accomplished
! through its operation are cOncer2ed.-
From the Commissioners of the United
States Circuit Courts chief supervisor of
elections is to be appointed, whose
duties are described to be to re-
ceive reports from subordinate SUI
pervisors, furnish necessary blank
books, lists, &C.. and to cause the names
of those upon any list whose right to reg
lister or vote shall be honestly doubted to
be'verifed by proper inquiry and exami-
nation at the respective places by them
assigned as their residences" It is made
| the duty of the subordinate supervi: Crs to
attend the sittings of the boards of regis
tration in their respective precincts, and il
| is provided that ''every registration made
under the laws of any State or territory
| for any State or other election at which
such representative or delegate in Con-
| gress shall be chosen, shall be decided q
registration within the meaning of this
| act land also within the meaning of the
| enforcement act), Notwithstanding the
same shall also be made for the purposes
OF any State, territorial or municipal cleo
tion.' It is further made their duty to
| attend the election held in pursuance of
such registrations, "to challenge any vote
offered; to be and remain where the bal
lot boxes are kept at all times after the
polls are open until each and avery vote
cast at said time and place shall be count.
ed, the cRpYasa OF ali votes polled be