The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-28
A REP UBLICAN SCHEME.

Section Of Article of The Federal Constitution
says
The times places aud manner OF holding cleo
lions for Senators and Representatives shall be
prescribed by each State by the Legislature thereof,
but the Congiess may, ut any time, make or alter
such regulations, except as 10 the place OF choosing
Senator's
Under authority OF this provision II Is undoubt-
edly contemplated by many leaders Of the Rcpub.
lcan party 10 enact substantially II they have the
power 10 do so, law similar to that proposed by
senator Sherman In the last Congress. A CORE.
spondent OF The Baltimore He0l recently said that
Mr. Dudley and other lawyers, mostly from the
South, and Republican, are engaged ia drafting
bill which will contain the follow provisions
That Congress, shall divide the different States
Into Congressional districts Where state district
ing II satisfactory Congress will adopt IL without
change where NOT satisfactory Congress Will reds.
trict the state. The bill will further provide that
all elections for Federal Offices shall be under tho
control OF the Federal courts aud shall be In charge
Of the United stntcs Marshal In whose district the
election shall be held. II Ia believed that the Re.
publican representation eau be increased by two
Ia Tennessee one In Kentucky. two In West Vir-
ginla, three In Virginia, three In North Carolina,
Two In South Carolina two In Georgia, two In Ala.
bana, three In Mississippi, one In Florida one In
Arkansas, one In Louisiana and ono In Texas.
II will be seen that this provides for gain In all
Of twenty four seats IN the House Of Representa-
tyes, and IL IA expected that, In addition to this
substantial advantage the electoral votes OF Yir-
ginla, West Virginia and Tennessee may be added
10 the Republican column at the next Presidential
election. In 1872.
II Is doubtful whether the Constitutional pro.
vision In question authorizes Congress IN declare
the boundaries OF districts, but Of course the Re
publlcans viii strain any point necessary for their
ends.-AontgOmGB Adrr Ter.
We disagree with our esteemed contem-
porary. The above quoted section of the
Federal Constitution is not doubtful as to
comforting the right upon Congress TO re-
district the States. II does confer upon
that body the right to interfere in the
matter OF "ihc times, places and manner
Of holding elections" but not to district
the States. II says explicitly and plainly
that this right aidH be- exercised by the
Legislature OF each State, but that Con-
gross may alter such regulations us TO the
time Of holding elections, the place where
they are TO be held and the manner Of
holding them. This does not warrant Con-
grcss in redistricting the States. That is a
work that has always been done by the
states according to the Federal census and
upon n basis agreed upon by Congress.
but, as The Adgrtiser says, the Republicans
are equal TO any rascality that looks to
concentration OF power for the impover-
shmont of the masses aud thoy are
used 10 violating the Constitution. II has
mover hitherto been a restraint to their ra-
pacity, or the satisfaction OF their greed
Of power and pclf, and it never will DO.
They may, therefore, attempt to pass this
proposed bill Of John Shcrman's. II they.
do, there will DO poor chance for legisla.
ton by Congress. The Democrats in
minority would nlibusler, and diltatory
motions would be Us plentiful as leaves in
Vallambrosa This is not a pleasant or
agreeable alternative TO look forward TO,
but II is one the Democrats must DO pro-
pared for. Tho Republicans, in the inter-
est Of the moncyed power, desire TO per-
petuate the public debt aud the high
protective robber war tariG. To do this
they must concentrate the power Of tho
Federal Government in their own hands,
and nulliiy that OF the States. Centraliza-
ton Of political power and the bcgsary Of
the masses are thus synonymous.