Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-29
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Gratis, were illegally deprived of the
right OF suffrage in "A single city at the
election. When these 5000 men voted
the party of the Executive had but one
Representative OH this noor from that
city, but after they have been driven or
dragged away from the ballot.box IL has
three. | make no further comment.
But, Mr. Chairman, when law itself
IL vicious or unconstitutional, as | be.
Iieve these laws are, the mere manner
of their administration is matter of
secondary Importance. No method of
administration can sapctify bad law or
reconcile its victims TO its continued en-.
forcemen,. There is no remedy but re.
peal.
MIR. Chairman, passing from the con
sideration OF the particular provisions
of these laws and from the methods
which have been adopted in their exc.
cution, propose TO examine the con.
stitutlonal authority to enact them. 1t
Is admitted that the several States pre-
scribe the qualifications of voters but
II the Federal authority shall under.
take to inforce the right TO vote and
and preserve the purity Of tho ballot.
box II must of course, by some officer
or agent, either before or at the time Of
the election, decide who possesses those
qualiiications-that is, il must by some
means OF It's own separate the spurious
from the genuine voters and admit the
one while it excludes the other. IL
must inquire into the voters age, his
residence, his citizenship and his quail.
hcations "a 10 education and property
II such tests are prescribed by the con.
stitutIon or laws OF tho State. But IL
the United States must exercise all
these powers in the discharge of the
supposed duty to enforce and protect
the right of the citizen to vote for Rep.
rcsentatiyes, 80 ii must exercise the
came or similar powers in the discharge
of like duty To enforce and protect
the right OF members of "A State Lcgis-
lature 10 vote for Senators and 10 pro
tcct the Governor Of State in the ex.
ercise of his constitutional right to ill
vacancies by appointment; for | sub.
init that If, under the first clause OF the
second section, the United States has
accepted as its voters those persons IN
the state who posses the qualifications
requisite for electors Of the most mum.
crous branch OF the State Legislature.
aud is therefore bound to protect them
in the exercise Cf the right Of Eu!ir4 gc
the first clause Of the third section Also
adopts the members OF the Legislature
as electors OF Senators, and tIcre is the
same obligation precisely TO protect
them against bribery. intimidation aud
other improper influences IN casting
their votes. submit also whether, in
the same sense, the next clause read
has not adopted the Governors Of the
various States as the agents or electors
oi the United States to temporarily I'll
vacancies in the senate, and whether
exactly the same Federal duties do not
result in that case o. in the Others.
IL follows. Mr Chairman, from what
! have said that II tho United States in
the discharge Of this supposed duty
must not only place its officers at the
polls 10 decide upon the qualifications
oi the citizen when he offers 10 vote for
a Representative, but II must, If neces.
sary, place them in the hall. OF the
State Legislatures to examine the Gre.
den ntials and determine the qualiica
iious Of members who offer to vote for
Senators and to exclude those who are
/ adludged not to possess the night. This
F - the point to which upon the other
side argument logically leads. Is any
one prepared to maintain it? Is any
one prepared TO assert that Congress
has authority. under these provisions OF
the Constitution, to provide for the su.
peryision and control Of every election
At which the people choose Representa-.
+ tiyes and the Legislature chooses Sena.
tors IL seems to me that the Eimplc
statement of the proposition and its
/ logical consequences constitute its best
Teiutauon.