Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-04-23
THE REGISTRY.
Speech Of Col. A. K. Mcclure.
4 Review Of the Alexander (Caueus) Sub
stitute for the Mcclure BilI, Deliv.
cred March 9th, 1873.

Mr.. Mcclure said: Mr.. Speaker, l
need not, at this stage, discuss either
the original bill or the proposed sub
stitute. The substitute which comes
ostensibly as the proposition of the
Senator from the Fiist District (Mr.
Alexander) is but the proposition of
the Senator from Indiana (Mr. White)
with some immaterial notifications.
Substantially, they are the same, and
both differ from the registry law now
in Philadelphia mainly, in the dishon-
esty with which they appear to proffer
reform, while in fact they most stud
iedly refuse it.
Of course, the Senator from the
First District (Mr. AIexander) is not
justly responsible for the substitute
now before the Senate. Ifully acQuit
him Of the paternity Of the measure,
and shall have nothing to say in reply
10 the remarks he has had made as an
apology, rather than an argument,
for the position he has been directed
TO assume.
On previous occasion the same
substitute, save q few glittering gen.
erslities, which have since been in
vented, was proposed by its rcsponsi.
BILE author, and supported on tho floor
of this body; but au exposure OF its
deceit and deformities silenced its ad-
vocates and made the opponents of
honest elections in Philadelphia take
refuge in partisan caucus. Unwil-
ling to meet the issue fairly before the
Senate, because the wrong could not
bo mado even plausible, cowardly
retreat was made to secret partisan
conclave, whore sincere convictions
and manly Senatorial action might be
constrained TO bow TO unscrupulous
leadership. What was, by expert
ence, proved as indefensible in discus
sion, has been made the offering on
the altar Of partisanship, and with
sealed lips and sullen shame the con-
science Of the Senate is to suffer vio-
lenco by the vote about to be taken.
The pending substitute authorizes
the select anu common councils OF
Philadelphia each to select three elec-
tion commissioners, all of whom shall
not be of the same political party,
and three additional commissioners
arc to be appointed by tho court Of
common pleas. l have already spo-
ken of the sense of fairness Of the
city councils in the matter of MINOR
ity representation, as manifested in
the selection of fire com missioners. =
In violation OF tho plain intent Of the
provisions of their own ordinance, the
majority selected both tho Republican
and the Democratic commissioners
rejecting tho choice presented by the
minority. A body that could thus
command a solid majority vote for
such wrong, publishes its own inf.
deity and shame in measure that no
ingenuity in the use Of words can ex-
cuse. Every Senator who knows
aught Of the city councils well under
stands that the worst elements Of both
parties in those bodies, and unfortu-
nately the controlling elements on
both sides, would unite in selecting
election commissioner under whose
administration election frauds would
be o mere matter Of commerce. And
the three commissioners TO be ap-
pointed by tho court, would be ap'
pointed by . majority Of the Judges,
thus charging the court with parti-
san responsibility. l doubt not that
the court would appoint respectable
men, but the three SO appointed would
be in q helpless minority against the
six selected by the councils. Under
this unfair provision an overwhelming
majority Of tho people Of Pbiladel
phia, who earnestly desire to restore
The purity Of the ballot, would bt
practically voioe!ess in our elections,
and ebauchery and fraud would have
renewed licensc TO defy the popala'
will.
1t is TOO late TO pretend that thsFs
can DO any honest registration of vo.
tors in Philadelphia with one party
exercising absolute control Of the reg
istry. Who dare affect to believe thai
the canvassers. In tho interest Of {
desperate majority, with powerles'
minority canvassers, will make q jus
list of votersf All within the sount
of my voice know that such majority
canvassers have persistently Registered
fictitious names and refused registry
10 qualified electors. So bold ant
reckless have tho majority become
that last fall they unblushingly haunt
cd their fraud into The faco Of th'
community. 1t was patent 70 all
undenicd aud undenlable. With
population Of throo hundred thousan'
less than Now York, nearly twenty
thousand moro voters woro returned
than have ever been returned in Ney
York, and the people were powerles