New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-01
TO GU4RD THE SUFFRAGE


Since the free ballot is the very basis Of all
our free institutions it has come to be no longer
a matter of local or State interest only, but a
National necessity to provide for the purity Of
the suffrage. In the Nations childhood it
worked well enough to suffer each State to fix
for itself the safeguards as well as the terms
of suffrage. But the fact has long been recog-
nzed that this system is entirely illogical, dan
gerous to the rights of individual citizens. and
pregnant with peril to the interests of the
Nation.
The citizen of the United States as matters
now stand may or may not be sharer in the
governing power Each State determines for
itself; if he happens to be a resident of one
State he is denied the suffrage because he does
not comply with conditions which are net re-
CURED at all across an imaginary line IN
differen State. Here he must have property
there he need have none. Here he must be
taxpayer; there he need not. Here he must
be able to read or write; there he may vote
without ability to do either. In some States
commission of this or that offence disfran-
chises, but by removal TO different State the
offender regainS his franchise Here he must
have resided one year, there longer or shorter
time within the State; in some States the I'M
migrant must first be naturalized. in others he
can vote as soon as he has declared his nten-
tion to become citizen. Viewed without re-
gard to the habits of thought which have
credibly foolish, and almost inconceivably dan
gerous.
But such differences as these the Constitu-
ton recognizes by providing that those, and
those only, may vote for members Of Congress
who have "the qualifications requisite for
electors Of the most numerous branch of the
State Legislature" Amendment of the Con-
stitution in that particular would now be diff
cult. 1t is matter of even greater Importance
that, without any constitutional requirement.
the methods of voting and of ascertaining and
guarding the right of suffrage are left almost
entirely to the States. The United States cleo
ton laws hitherto passed. being framed for a
limited purpose, do in effect provide for ap-
pointment of certain officers who shall see that
provisions of State law are faithfully observed,
but it is nevertheless left to State law alone
to determine what " act shall be done' or what
proof submitted as a prerequisite. In some
States the methods prescribed do in effect dis
franchise many citizens. In some the right to
vote is carefully ascertained and guarded; in
others there is no care about any part of the
business, and no real protection against fraud
1t would seem incredible, if custom had not
habituated the people to this absurdity, that
great Nation should thus leave the ascertain
ment and protection of It's voting power for
Presidential electors and members Of Congress
to the varying whirns of thirty-eight legis-
atures.
The "great constitutional lawyers who in
fest Washington will discover many obstacles
in the way, no doubt, if anybody proposes that
the United States should in any manner reg
ulate the suffrage. But it would seem to be
expressly in accordance with the Constitution
to enact that a person, before voting for a
member Of Congress or Presidential electors,
shall prove that he has " the qualifications
requisite for electors of the most numerous
branch of the State Legislature" and shall
submit that proof to an officer created and act
ing under United States law. The const5u-
tional requirement carries with it the power
and the duty to provide that it shall not be
disregarded either by the neglect Of any State
Legislature or by the neglect or misconduct
of any State official.