The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-24
Too Many Election Days.

elections. They not only cost the State an
extra amount Of money, but they have a
tendency TO disorganize labor Let us have
State and Congressional elections ~ the
same time, say we.-Grenada Sentinel.
Do the CLARION and Sentinel remember
the cause Of this separation Of Federal and |
State eleetions2 In their opinion does this 1
cause no longer exist? Greenyille Times.
The inquiry might be addressed to a
half-dozen other papers which are advO-
eating the holding Of Congressional cleo
tons on the same day that local elec-
tions are held. To the Times, our
answer is that we do remember" the
cause of the separation Of these elections.
1t was the federal law authorizing the ap-
pointment Of United States inspectors at
Congressional elections. The apprehen-
sion existed that although that lay does
not authorise the United States officials
to interfere in any manner with elections
for State and county officers, they might
interfere indirectly in some way. We
admit that we shared that apprehension,
and favored the separation. We are
convinced that il the fear was well
founded then, the motive does not nor
exist.
Experience has shown that the present
plan of holding an election annually is
impolitic and works badly. 1t is very
costly. 1t costs money needlessly, and
time which is valuable to the people.
The danger Of interference by United
States inspectors of Congressional cleo
tions can be easily obviated. Let the
Congressional and State or local elections,
be held on the same day, and at the same
place, but apart and by different set OF
managers The United States officials
! will have no.authority for interfering in
any way with the State or county cleo
ton They win not have the temerity
to usurp it. If need be, laws can be
passed to restrain, and prevent them, fol
interfering with State officers in the con
duet of State elections The recent de
cision Of Judge Bond, in.South Caroline
that United States inspectors have nj
right to obtrude upon registrars while
! in the performance of that duty
I is in point.
An evil Of the present plan of holding
Congressional elections at different times
from the others, in addition to its cost
illness in money and time, is the small
vote which they elicit. The people are
tired of constant elections, and stay away
from the polls. Look at the figures Of the
last and previous elections. They fur
nish mple proof of the necessity Of the
change.
So far as the federal election laws arr
concerned, they are odious and uncon
stitutional. They ought, and we hope
viii be repealed But it must be borne
in mind that directly in the face oil
them, the Democratic party has held it,
own, with slight exceptions, in the choice
Of members of Congress. The seventh
districtwith its large colored majority Of
eight thousand, and shingled all ovei
with federal inspectors, half of whom
were appointed on the recommendation o.
the Republican candidate, gave the Dem
ocratic nominee more than five thous
, and majority. If these elections laws
/ then, do not serve to defeat the will o
the people in the choice of Congressman
in the election of whom they haYe {
direct bearing, why are we to fear tina
/ they can be used in controlling the Stat,
: and county elections over which the,
can have no possible control?
: The people are weary Of annual cleo
: tons. They are in favor of holdin,
Congressional and State or county, elec
i tons, as the case may be, ON the sam
$ day, and at the same time, but separate
, ly and by different managers, 1t vii
/, devolve upon the Legislature when j
meets to provide for the change
Experience has shown its necessity.
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