The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-29

as III very important sense Justly mat
ter OF political interest and concern to the
whole conntry. The original provision of
the constitution on this subject is as fol-
lows; section four-article one. The
times, places and manner of holding cleo
tlons for senators aud representatives,
shall be prescribed in each state by legis-
lature thereof, but congress may at
can at any time, by law, make or alter
such regulations, except as to the places of
choosing senators. A further provision
has been since added, which is embraced
IN the 18th amendment; it is as follows:
SECTION /. The right of citizens of the United
States, to vote, shall not be denied abridged by
ahe United States, on account Of race color pre-
Vious condition of servitude
sEcTIoN9. rThe congress shall have the power
to enforce this article by appropriate legislation
under the general provision of the constitution
Section 4.-Article 1.-"CoDgress in
1866 passed comprehensive law, which
prescribed full and detailed regulation
Tor the election of senators by the legisIa-
lures OF the several states. This law has
been in force almost thirteen years, In
pursuance of it all of tho members of the
present senate of the United States hold
their seats; its constitutionality is not
called in question. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that no sound argument can be
made in support of the constitutionality of
national regulation of senatorial elections,
which will not show that the elections OF
members of the house OF representatives
may also be constitutionally regulated by
national authority. The bill before me
itself recognizes the principle that the CON
gression8l elections are not state elections.
but national elections. 1t leaves in full
force the existing law under which super
visors are still to be appointed by national
authority, to observe and witness con-
gressionaI elections whenever due applica
ton is made by the citizens who desire
said elections to be guarded and scruti-
niZed. If the power to supervisors IL
any respect whatever in the the con
gressional elections exists, under
section four, article one, OF the
constitution. 1t is power which
| like every other power belonging to the
mount and supreme, and includes the
right to employ necessary means to carry
it into effect. The statutes of the Unltec
States which regulate the election of mem
bers of the house Of representatives, al
essential part of which it is proposed t
repeal by this bill, have been in force abOu
eight years. Four congressional elections
have been held under them, two OF which
were at the presidential elections Of 1877:
and 1876 Numerous prosecutions, trial
and convictions have been held in th'
courts Of the United States in all parts 0
| the union, for the violation Of these law
and in no reported case has their consti
tutionality been called in question, by en-.
Judge, of the courts OF the United States
The validity of these laws is by uniform
course of judicial action and opinion. |
lit is urged that the United States election
laws, are not necessary an ample re
ply is furnished by the history of the;
original aud their results. They were eS
pecially prompted By investigation an
the exposure Of frauds by committee in tn
city and state of New York at the election
of 1878. Committees representing bot
Of the leading political parties of the cour
try, have submitted reports to the hous
of representatives regarding the extent c
these frauds.
, 4 committee OK the FOrtieth Congress;
after full investigation, reached the COZ
clusion that the number Of frauduleI
votes cast in the city Of New York alon'
in 1868, was not less than 5000
J committee Of the Forty-fourth Congress
: in their report submitted in 1877. adopte
= the opinion that tor every one huudro
, actual voters of the city of New York,
f 1868, one hundred and eight vote
were cast; when in fact the nun
, Der ofEg lawful votes cast, couI
: | ..r-o.r7ol Df bn ~
tual voters of the city. BY this statemeI
t the number of fraudulent votes at thi
> election. in the city Of New York, was bc
S tween 10000 and 10000. These iraul
f completely reversed the result of the ele
J, ton 10 the state OF New York, both as
r choice of governor and state officers, an
: as to choice OF electors tor president ar
II vice president of the United States the
II attracted the attention OF the whole couy
+ try Il was plain that if they could Co
it tinued and be repeated with impunity, fr
0 government was impossible. A dist
q guished senator in opposing the passage
n the election laws, declared he had for
e long time believed our form OF goVernme
is was comparative failure. In the arg
IF cities to meet these evils. and to preve
e these crimes. the United States laws reg
o lating congressional elections were enacte
y The trainers OF these laws have not he
y disappointed in their results. In the larg
,r cities under their provisions the eiectio
e have been comparatively peaceful, order
x and honest Even the opponents OF the
J. laws have borne testimony to their val
d aud efficiency, and to the necessity /
Ie their enactment The committee of t
le 44th congress, composed of membe
IS of the majority of whom we
Of opposed to these laws, in their report
d the New York election of 1875, said {
IS committee would commend to other pi
ID tions of the country and to other cit
3, this remarkable system Of developme
al through the agency of both local and fe
i'll eral authorities acting in harm
al nv for an honest purpo
as in no portion of the wa
es and in no era of time when there has be
ir an expression of the popular will throu
is the forms of law, has there been nc
Is comnlete and thorough illustration of ]
le publican institutions. Whatever may ha
~ been the previous habit or conduct OF ell
ID tiops in those cities, or howsoever they n
r conduct themselves in future, this electl
IS. of 1876 will stand as monument OF WI
O. good faith, honest endoavor, legal forl
g. and Just authority may do for the prott
L. tiop OF the electoral franchise. This
us recognizes the authority and duty OF
er United States to appoint supervisors
ce guard and scrutinize congressional ell
On tious. but it denies to the government
re the United States all power to make
a supervision effectual. The great body
ed the people OF all parties want Tree and !
he elections. They do not think that Fl
on election, means freedom from the who
n. some restraints of the law or that the pl
of of an election should be sanctuary for Ii