Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-03

REGULATING ELECTIONS.
speech of Hon. Henry Poehler. of Mtmneso-
ia, Protesting AOntsst tho Infamous Su-
pervtsor Lar.
Congressional Record Proceedings April 26.l
Mr.. Poehler-The gentleman who has just
spoken (Mr. Horn says to Us that the coun-
try demands that we shall pass these appro-
priation bills and go home. 1agree with
that gentleman in that proposition. We in
tend to pass to-day the last appropriation
bill that is asked for. If the other side shall
oppose it, that will not be our fault. It will
then be for the President to say whether this
government shall have the necessary appro-
priation or not.
Mr.. Chairman, the bill now under consid-
Grafton has been SO ably argued on both
sides that shall net occupy the attention of
the committee for any length of time. Still
feel it my duty to say few words in behalf
of my State, and in doing so, am confident
that express the opinion not only of all
Democrats, but also a large num-
Der of Republicans; for doubt if there is
any State in the Union where the law as it
now stands would deprive the citizens of the
right of suffrage to the same extent that it
would in the State of Minnesota. 1t is true
that it has not been applied or enforced
remain on the statute-book, is only ques-
ton of time or of party necessity. Disguise
it as you may, its operation so far has teen
against naturalized citizens, and this is why
it would work great injury to the people of
the State which have the honor in part to
represent, q large majority of whom are of
foreign birth, and would be particularly af-
fected byit.
According to the census of 1870, the total
population was 439, FOG. OF these 285,516
were such whose parents were of foreign
birth, and only 154, 100 whose parents were
natives, and among them thousands of
grandchildren of foreign emigrants. Ac-
cording to our constitution, every foreigner
who has resided one year in the United States
and four months in the State, and who has
declared his intention to become q citizen, is
q voter.
Many of our citizens have fled their nat
uralization papers in the land Offices, to
prove their right to pre-empt or homestead
their lands. The election laws of Minneso-
| I'd w AOo ASNuAAO UAA0 PAOoOAo1oAOA "a VAAo
naturalization papers as requisite to have
their names placed on the poll list.
The cath of the applicant stating when
and where he was naturalized, that he has
had certificate of his naturalization, and
that the same is lost, destroyed, or beyond
his power to produce to the judges, is suf-
ficient evidence; and the judges must enter
his name on the poll list, and he is entitled
to vote.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, if the supervisors of
election have the power under the supervisor
law as it now stands, and John I. Davenport
has assumed that power, to examine the GER
tifcates of naturalization and pass upon
their validity, then, indeed, many of the vot-
ers of my State can be DISTINGUISHED. If
the supervisors can pass upon the validity of
certificates, what can they not do in the alb
sence of the latter? Not one of that class
would be permitted to vote if this law would
be applied.
Mr.. Chairman, am not speaking in behalf
merely of the Democratic party. A ma
jority of the adopted citizens in my State
are allied to the Republican party and vote
with them. This is not political question.
J It is question of right to the immense ma
jority of the people of Minnesota; it is a
matter of Justice to our State, for it annuls
that part of our State laws which provides
that the names of all persons voted for by
an elector shall be on one ballot, and defines
who shall have charge of the ballot-box and
! who shall count and canvass the votes.
: These laws have met the approval of all
parties, and are respected and obeyed. There
is no necessity for supervisors or marshals
o in Minnesota.
Is there man, unless he be selfish par
% tisan, who would favor law that give
y almost unlimited power to one man to ares
> men at will, using his sole judgment to de
D termine if they have the right to vote or not
L power greater than the most despoti
q, monarch of Europe dare exercise to-day
10 It is power which no party should be al
= may suffer by it tomorrow. Gentlemen o.
- the other side have declared the repeal o
:, these laws to be revolutionary. They sim
10 ply state it to be so, but fail to show wher
n revolution comes in. 1t cannot be in tn
~ mode or manner, for it has been clea1l
If shown that some Of the most i'm
- portant acts of Congress have been passes
.. as amendments to appropriation bills.
al cannot be in the repeal of the law, for th
- government stood for more than eighty yeal
,o without those laws under the wise rule {
re patriots who valued the personal liberties {
tn the citizen as too sacred to be thrown int
he the political vortex for carty purposes
~ Surely, Mr.. Chairman, to repeal laws SO Of
noxious; to prevent men from exercisin
doubtful powers; to protect citizens in the
lawful rights, ought not to, and cannot wit
!. truth, be called revolutionary.
ID 1t is claimed by the gentlemen on Il
other side that it is necessary to have IL
'o- supervisors to protect the purity of the ba
lie lot-box, and the soldiers to keep the peace
on the polls. Mr.. Chairman, let us carry tn
nd to it's logical conclusion by increasing II
is army and placing military chieftain In IL
of executive chair, and then our dreams
ne peace will be realized Order will the
Id, s.reign in Warsaw Mr.. Chairman, I fl
SO one am opposed to legislation which gives
nd one party greater influence and power
ed control elections than to the other. The Q
ir. fects of such legislation will not show then
N, selves at once in every part of the country
on they will at first appear isolated, but it W
er- not be long before every State will have
er Davenport
ice Prince Bismarck has had severe stru'
nj ole with the Prussian chambers ever sin
.p. 1873. At different times has he dissolve
he the latter, but though he has thousands
di- officials and hundreds of thousands of &c
Ir. diers at his disposal, with which he cou
fl surround every poll in the country, and CO
*, troll the election for the benefit of
ich candidates, yet he has never used that il
as mense power, as even he knows that az
,et thing of the kind will make elections me
nd, farces.
to, Such laws, as has been sho yn hy sevel
other speakers before, among them my frie
Wit from the Milwaukee district, Er. Deuste
will be damper upon emigration, for t
,st: Dayenports select chiefly the emf grants up