National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-18


done now?
THE question is, Are we to have honest |
or dishonest national elections in the future =? |
If the Democratic caucus programme is to |
open to fraud of all kinds in those elections;
if it is defeated those doors will remain
closed as they now are.
THE rejoicing of the Democracy in 1875
over the election of Judge CHRIsTIANcY to
the Senate from Michigan was marked, but
not more so than the present distress which
prevails in the same quarters over his resig-
nation. And Judge c. was and is not to be
blamed for either demonstration.
STRIPPED bare and naked of all special
pleading, the Democratic proposition now is
that the General Government must either
surrender all supervision over its own efec-
tions-the election of its own officials-or
the Democratic majority in the House will
refuse to make necessary appropriations to
keep it in motion.
THE Savannah (Ga.) Netcs honestly ad-
mits that Democratic frauds were COM
mitted in the late Congressional election
in that State for successor to Mr.. HART
RIDGE; but consoles its Mortified conscience
with the knowledge that they were re-
qured in order to defeat "those confounded
Radicals"
Is It not somewhat remarkable that two
such blatant wind instruments as EDEN
and DURHAM should feel it their duty to
look after the entire legislation of the Gov
ernment? But when their own constitu-
ents rebuked them in the last election we
have nothing to add, except, perhaps, to
note the fact that oftentimes constituents
are wiser than their representatives.
THE imperative demand of the times is
in the direction of IN enlargement, and not
n restriction, of Federal supervision over
United States elections. Every step of the
Democracy at those elections since the war
and in Congress has been toward practical
notification of the constitutional amend
ments. A repeal of the Federal election
laws would be rapid stride TO that end.
THE Louisiana Legislature, Just before its
adjournment adopted resolutions protesting
against Federal interference by the courts
in State elections. This in the face of the
fact that Governor NICHOLS has practically
admitted the inability of the State govern
ment to punish the vioators Of Federal elec-
tion laws; for those are the only laws over
the violations of which the Federal courts
have ever attempted to exercise any juris-
diction.
SENATOR WADLEIGH can rely upon II
that the Republican press of the country
will sustain HIM in any effort he may make
10 unseat NJ. G. BUTLER. The mastery
and convincing report of the majority Of
the Committee on Privileges and Elections
in Mr.. CoRBIN's favor has been printed the
country over, and the result is a conviction
that the Republican majority of the Senate
will be recreant to its duty if this matter
is not disposed of this week.
UNLESS it is the deliberate design of tht
majority Of the Senate to let the COEBIA
ease 90 by default and permit NJ. c. BUTLEI
TO continue to occupy II seat in that body
TO which he was not elected, it should b,
called up and disposed of at once. Ever,
hour of delay in this matter adds strength
to the possibility, which begins to appea
like n probability that BUTLER may b
able to enjoy his Senatorial usurpation TO
the remainder of Mr. CoRBIN's term
~-
THE electoral laws repeal which tn
Democrats intend to hitch upon the appro
priation bill now pending in the House,
practically an attempt in the direction q
an effective notification of the war amend
ments TO the Constitution. In other word,
This repeal is most radical and revolutiouar
partisan in its character, and cannot by an
construction be possibly accepted as ger
name to that bill. The Opposition migl
Rs well try to slip in a little amendment t
1t abolshng the Christian religion.
|
The New Orleans Times is putting on
modicum of common sense in regard TO IL
levee question when it counsels the Missi
sippi Valley people to wait with more pi
tience and philosophy the enlightenment
the country as to its merits 1t says:
We must endeavor to reconcile ourselves
the situation aud to find in II the material f
hope aud comfort. 1t seems impossible
doubt that our Congressmen have done ever
thing possible in the premises, and such boir
the fact, we shall have 10 assume that we ha-
got all that human effort could procure for u
-----~1~--
IF the Democrats Of the House insist
their caucus amendment TO the legislatiy
judicial, and executive appropriation bi
Senator BAYARD will have ample oppo
tunity in the Senate to disgrace" hims'
by "acting with the Republicans again
Aud if he should by so acting aid in Il
defeat of the repeal Of the Federal electi(