Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-01-15
Overriding the Ballot.


In the decision of the Supreme
Court of Texas, annulling the recent
election in that State, is seen another
instance of desperate determination
on the part of the Administration par
ty to defeat the expression of the pop.
ular will. The election, which result
ted in the choice of Democratic
Governor State officers and Legisla.
tue by majority of $4,000, was the
first since reconstruction in which any
attempt was made to secure a fair
ballot and prevent fraud The law
was passed for the purpose of purify
ing the elections and was signed by
the Republican Governor evidently
under the impression that Federal in
fuence would enable him to secure a
reelection in spite of such hindrance.
No hint of its nnconstitutionality was
heard until the signal failure of the
Administration party; and then. tax
ing suggestion from Louisiana, this
decision was obtained from the Courts,
carrying with it the legal right to use
military force in its execution, which
privilege would have been denied Gov
Davis acting as at first proposed on
his individual responsibility. The
partisan character of the Supreme
Court in Texas is notorious. 1t is de-
voted to the political interests of the
Administration in that State, and in
every way fit instrument by which
to undertake the usurpation that is
necessary for continuance Of Radi-
cal rule. Its authority has been really
prostituted at the will of the party
leaders, and another State is added
to the list or those in which the ballot
is respected only when it endorses the
claims of the tavorites of the Grant
Administration.
This bold advance of official cor
ruption and intimidation in the South
west is the more alarming because of
the terrible warning furnished in the
condition of Louisiana. There, where
an honest election was in the same
manner set aside by the infamous
Judge Durell, personal liberty is held
by the slightest tenure and political
freedom nowhere exists. Federal
troops guard the Government holding
office on the commission of Federal
judge; and the Metropolitan Police
form regiment of irresponsible bush
whackers to scour the State. The
most pitable exhibit is that made by
Durrell's Governor in his message to
the spurious Legislature. He shows
the State 50 sunk in debt under his
usurping administration that to pay
the interest alone will require 4 rate
of taxation almost amounting to con-
fscation, and while recommending op
en- reputation as the only remedy, he
deliberately proposes to embark the
State in the reckless business of sub.
sldizing railroads. 1t is a picture of
utter financial and political rottenness,
made more vivid by the appeal of one
of Darell's Congressman for the sup
ply of rations by the Federal Govern.
ment to the starving poor Of the State
The Administration that has made it.
self responsible for this robbery may
properly be called upon to feed its
beggars. Walker is following in the
path of Durell, although he has not
yet undertaken the suppression of
newspapers or made himself amenable
to impeachment on the charge of brib-
cry; and but for one important Cir
cumStance the future of Texas would
be as gloomy as the present of Louis
lana. This saving fact is the existence
Of vast Democratic majority in the
State. Judge Walkers decision gives
Gov. Davis power only until April,
and then the Democracy will finally
put him and his party away, The
Texas Democrats can afford to wait;
and they cannot afford 10 oppose the
unjust decision by violence that will
give excuse for military occupation
like that which has fettered Louisia-
ma.
The Naval Department has con-
Guided that it will be a fine thing to