The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-03-15

nation, 4 threat of pubic disturbance
that desperate partisans have adopted
for unworthy party" purposes. BY
all that is decent in national legislation.
if the election laws ought TO he repealed.
let the necessary legislation be effected
in a straightforward, honest manner.
This much. AT least. Congress owes the
honest portion of the American people.
both Republican and Democratic.
Ii is true that the plea has been made
by the majority in Congress that the
election laws were originally created by
rider to an appropriation bill, and
therefore i: is not unfair to repeal them
by the same expedient If the charge
were true, the fact would remain that
enc wrong can never justify another :;
but the plea rests upon a ialsehood.-
The election laws were not enacted as
rider to an appropriation bill, and Mr.
John !. Davenports recent letter to the
New York " Tribune proves it. The
first national election law was n bill
entitled An act To enforce the rights
Of citizens of the | nited States TO vote
in the several States of this L MON. and
for other purposes" 1t contained
tweniy-three sections. was approved
May :;lst, 1870, and made illegal regis
tration or voting at elections Of men,
bers of congress a national offence
July IL, 1870, another enactment was
approved, entitled a act To amend the
naturalization laws and to punish crimes
against the same, and for other purpos-
es." 1t provided for the appointment,
of Supervisors and Special Depu,r Mar
shals in all cities having over %, 900 in
habitants, and at the election of | so
such officers were appointed and served
BY its provisions the Supervisors were
to he appointed by the nitcd States
Circuit Judge in each circuit
Doubts were entertained as to the
constitutionalitv of the provision for
appointments, aad Mr. Davenport, at
the request Of the Union League Club.
of New York City, drafted an amenda-
tory act to cover the defect and provide
for the enforcement of the original &C,
Of May 81, 1870 Mr.. Davenport'> bill
contained some twenty sections, was
introduced Jan. ., 1871, by Judge
Churchill, was discussed at grea, length.
in House and Senate. and having passed
with slight amendments, was approved
Feb. -, 1871. The law provided that
the Supervisors and MarShals who hold
Office in accordance with the enactment
Of 1871, shall be appointed.
Mr.. Davenport shows that. with a
single exception, there has been no
other legislation by Congress As to Ma
tional supervision OF elections where
National officers are chosen. That
exception was in relation to the appoint
ment of Supervisors in places other than
cities of more than 10000 inhabitants.
who should " have no power or author
lily to make arrests, or to perform other
duties than To he in the immediate pre-
sence Of the officers holding the election.
and 10 witness all their proceedings.
including the counting of the votes and
the making Of a return thereof" aud
who should he allowed no cumpcnSa-
ton" Ii was contained in the Sun,irv
Appropriation bill, approved Jane 10.
1872, and is the only foundation for
the absurd barge that the election laws
were enacted by rider to an appropri-
ation bill
Such was the origin of the National
election laws OF their usefulness the
people are well able tojudge when they
consider ;hc temptations to and tie op-
portunitics for corruption. in The cleo
tons OF cities The nation has right
to know that National officers are cleo
ted by pure ballot. and Therefore the
election laws were provided The Dem
orrats dare MOI fairly state the purport
and elect Of the National election laws
and then openly repeal them. They at
tempt to pull wool over the eyes Of tie
people. and strike down the barriers to
fraud at the polls hv a cover; trick.