The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-29
Y.eraIired scoundreliara.
CONCISE pErINITioN OF THE FEDERAL
ELECTION LAW. 3&

CONCISE NEFlSlftoN We IN"
ELECTION LAW. ~
utica IN. w Observer
On the question oil revealing the uncon-
sti,u,ional Federal eleciioD.law acts the
Democrats are so clearly in The r'ehs, that
the Republicans have virtually abandoned
the argument on its merits and nave put W
n demand for more time. Inc! mahe a
I,iaus;ble statement to the effect that the
renesi should be taken up in the regular Or
f,er Of legislative business, and should not
no forced through Congress at an extra SEES
s;on. Further, they profess to believe that
Il should form distinct act and should not
be tackled to an appropriation bill.
II is proper TO consider these points fairly.
First MS TO the question OF time. Congress
will meet in regular session in December,
1879. Six weeks or two months will eiapse
before any important bill can go through the
regular process and be enacted into law.
This delay would carry US 10 January or
February, 1880. 1t would be the event OF
a presidential canvass. The country would
be stirred 10 partisan activity. a fair as
eUssion OF abstract politics coun not lnen
be baG, Tbe Republicans would assert that
the Democrats bad repealed the tedcrai
election law to aid them Fin carrying the
doubtful States, and the Democrats would
resnond that they had done it to prevent
the Republicans from repeating the frauds
OF lS7G. With so many other subjects claim
inc attention. this repeal could not get tue
attention it deserves, snd it would be han
died on both sides unfairly.
It is hardly necessary to say that II we
did not believe the Federal election laws
were bad in theory and worse In pracHce
we should not advocate their abfogation.
They are menace TO our institutions.
They give to irresponsible Judges-Who IN
some instances have proved themselves
eInmitigated knaves-a larger power snan
the General Government legitimatey pos
sesses. They foist upon Utica forty need
less Office holders, ut an expense OF S2.b00
for each congressional election, and this
money goes, not 10 purify the ballot, but to
fattening a few objects OF quasi judicial
favor. This system involves an expcndi-
ture OF not less than three million dollars
year. It enables beggarly and ire
sponsible minority In some Of the States to
control the whole machinery OF an election
through power derived from distant sources.
It involves the use Of the army to Intlml-
,late voters, and On occasion to set aside
the verdict of the people. In England, II
the troops Of the Government should Cake
possession Of a polling-place, under
orders from the Queen, the Queens head
would. pay the penalty. In Francs, II The
military should pass upon the title OF the
civil authority, as was done in Louisiana
and South Carolina, there would be q rcyo-
luton inside OF twenty.four hours. In no
other country on the face OF the earth,
with the possible exception OF China, would
the crimes wrought under cover OF this
Federal election system be permitted TO so
unpublished. It has already been success
fully used to- deprive the people OF their
chosen Chief Magistrate. Under its opera
ZION n drunken judge has prevented State
from exercising its sovereign rights. "A
subordinate official in New York city, with
this system at bis back, has driven from the
polls 10000 voters. We submit that it is
time 10 repeal these lawless statutes. :
@rhe Republicans, however, insist that
when the people understand the question
they will condemn the party that fayors re-,
peal. II they really believe that they ought
to welcome early action, with view to Sc
curing abundant time for the discussion.
They want to raise an issue over the abro-
CATION of these acts. We are not only ready
TO meet the, issue, but we maintain that 1t
should be raised Immediately that all phases
OF it may be duly raised before the presl-
dental election Of 1880 crowds it into the
background. ,as - = tn = = !.
1t remains toconsider the suggestion that
tie repeal should be effected IN the regular
order of Legislative business. That is a
short horse soon curried. Mr.. Hayes,
whose fraudulent title is based on these un-
constitutional election acts, will veto any
hill abrogatiug them. The Democrats lack
the numerical strength required to pass an
act over his veto. Therefore il they are to
effect their purpose at all they must tack
the repeal to an appropriations. II the mar
who was defeated for the. presidency by
more than 100000 maiority.is to be permit
ted TO spend the public money, he must be
made 10 accept. such conditions as the re-
representatives. OF the people see lit to inn
pose. II he'wants to stand out against the
law-lnaking power, let him take the con>e-
qnences. Meantime Congress should ACT,
without days unnecessary delay, on the
repeal OF the Federal election laws. - ..a.