New-York tribune., 1889-12-30
HONEST TOTING AND THE WORLD'S FAIR

| HONEST TOTING AND THE WORLDS FAIR.
The fifty Southern representatives who take
| seats without having been elected, and the rest
of the Southern members who uphold the sys-
tematic defrauding of the people, are said to
have bargain in mind. They will vote, ac-
cording TO report, to give the Worlds Fair to
the city which can transfer to the Democratic
side enough Republican votes to defeat legisa-
ton for purity and freedom of suffrage. That
| is a Enthusiastically Southern plan. If any
one works faithfully at it, and manages to
make trade it will have at least one result-it
will determine where the Worlds Fair shall not
be held.
The Republican members of the House. it is
safe to say, will put aside all past preferences
and assurances, and all local inclinatiOnS as
we'll in order to vote with effect against any
city which may engage in such a bargain. As
means of making the selection of particular
city impossible, this has advantages over any
other. But it is not to be supposed that the Re
publican members can be found who will suffer
their votes on such question to be bought or
sold.
OF all the questions coming before Congress
this year no other is of greater importance, no
other may effect so largely the future of this
country, no other appeals so directly to the
popular sense of right, as the question how to
secure a fair vote and an honest count 1t is
confeSSedy a difficult question, not because the
right of Congress is seriously questioned, but
| because a measure which could not be well en-
forced, and enforced without serious risk OF
abuse, would do more harm than good. 1t
is, therefore, prc-eminently question upon
which Republican representatives will feel 1t
their duty to vote cOnScientiOuSy and with
due regard to the principles of their party and
the convictions of their constituents. The man
who would consent to sell his vote on such
question had better change his party name, call
himself a Democrat for revenue only, and in
form his constituents that the climate of Wash
ington is so uncongenial that he tenders his
resignation. In the House or out of it, he will
be of no further political use.
The Worlds Fair is not likely to be held at
all, if any kind of political tra1icking is per
mitted to fix its location. Behind the House
there is a Senate. and behind the Senate a
President. and there could hardly he step
more creditable or popular than to veto a bill
passed by methods notoriOuSy corrupt. Nor
need anybody imagine that a bargain can be
concealed. The binds of the air will carry it.
Reasons of weight and honesty there are in
favor of different cities, and those only will be
employed or permitted to influence the result
by men who manage Shrewdy.
The Southern members who dread free vote
and an honest count have no better resource
than the resort to filibuStering, so often threat
ened. 1t remains to be seen whether "A minority
| d;.4., 10 +ho in, 4bo
chair. The latest suggestion is that Demo
cratic members should not acaye the House, so
that they cannot be sent for and formally en-
tered as present when brought back, but should
simply sit in their seats and refuse to vote.
That is peaceful means of exercising their
power 1t will also be in order for the Speaker
to open his eyes and see for himself whether
there is a quorum present.