The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-29
A Measure That Provides for Electoral Boards
in Each District to Be Absolutely Under
Control of the Federal Authorities.
Mobiles Letter Interpreted to Mean that
All Rerated Pension Clerks Must Go.
Senator BarbOur's Fruitless Quest for Money to
Aid Virginia Democrats-Minister Ryan's
Views On Our Trade with Mexico.
CONTROL OF ELECTIONS.

Mr. Houk's Plan for Bringing Congressional
Elections Under Federal Supervision.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Oct. q. S.-Representative
Houk, of Tennessee. is the first Republican
In the Fifty-frst Congress to come to the
front with a proposed bill placing the con-
troll of elections where Representatives to
Congress are chosen in the hands of the
federal government. This subject will un-
doubtedly create great deal of agitation
in Congress at the approaching session, and
bring about the liveliest debates of any of
the subjects which will be discussed. Judge
Houk, being the oldest Republican men,
Der from the South. is prominently men
toned for the Craftsmanship of the COM
mittee on elections HIS bill pro-
vides that the President shall appoint
three qualified voters in each congressional
district, to be known as the electoral board
of the district, upon the petition of not
less than one hundred qualified voters.
certified by the clerk OF the United States
District Court, in which it is alleged that
the petitioners do not believe a fair regis
tration and election. or either of them. can
be held in that district under State SUPER
NiSiou NC OOdfu Will appoint REGISTRARS
for each precinct, to serve six years. The
board shall have absolute control over the
appointment of registrars, and may remove
them at will for failure to discharge their
duties faithfully. The electoral board
may, instead of dividing the election DIS
trIct, provide two places for voting ada AGENT
to each other. with two ballot-boxes, and
appoint two sets of judges and clerks 10 re-
ceIve and count the votes. The board is
given instructions in the bill as to super
vision. under clerks and judges for the cast
ing and counting of votes. preventing in
timidation and fraud. and in short. giving
general supervision for a free ballot and
fair count There is provision for the can
vass and recanvass of the returns and the
ballots cast. The Attorney general of the
United states is instructed to prepare suit
able books and blanks for the election Off
GERS. The bill is very lengthy. and gives
specific instructions as to registration and
conduct of elections, and the returning of
the result, SO that there can be no such
question as conflict cf State and federal
authority.
Judge Houk holds that his bill is consti-
tutional. and cites Article i, Section 4, Par
agraph l, of the Constitution of the United
States as his authority. This section of the
Constitution reads: "The times. places and
manner of holding elections for Senators and
Representatives shall be prescribed in each
State by the Legislature thereof; but the
Congress may at any time, by law make or
alter such. regulations, except as TO the
place OF choosing Senator's" The import OF
the bill is to give absolute federal author
ity over all elections whereat members of
Congress are chosen.
Judge Houk makes an estimate of the
probable expenses for the enforcement Of
n I,xxw ....I.
trict, which is as follows: Congressional
electoral boards at $40 per day, sixty
days. Zoo; expenses same, $500
$500; office rent s4OO; board of county and
city commissioners. three persons, tive
days, at SIS per day. SIS: average of ten for
each district. $3.50; one hundred registrars.
average ten for each county. at "a per day.
ten days each. .t!4 900: one hundred polling
places. three judges and two clerks each, at
S25, ST. 500; one judge TO deliver returns at -,
$500. Total 81. $50. There are at present S25
of of and that hat
Union. When the four new States are adj
mitted FIVE additional congressional dis
tricts will be added. making $50 congress
slonal districts. Thus 81. $50 multiplied by
$50 makes grandsestimate of expenses,
according to appraisement of Judge Houk.
of S. 679. 500 for the enforcement of this law
if all districts should demand electoral
boards The TACT should be taken into
consideration, however. that probably
not one-half of the congressional
districts in. the United States will
demand this federal supervision
of elections. The object is, of course, aid
for the Southern districts. where. it is
claimed, voters are intimidated and honest
returns are the exception to the rule.
One of the important provisions of the
bill, and the last section of the measure.
provides that members of the electoral
of ha al az ria ha
commissioners. judges. clerks and other
officers shall be exempt from arrest by
State authorities during the time required
for the performance of the duties prescribed
in this act. This would give federal author
itles absolute control. There are. however.
men from the South who contend that any
thing like federal interference with State
elections will be resisted. and there will be
constant conflict between federal and
State officers at the polls. People who talk
thus are generally observed TO be unrecon-
structed.