Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-07-26

| "o ohe dtegeu irduuS, Wnicn this
legislation seeks to cope with, of such
magnitude as 10 invite the clearly
and well-defined exercise of the con
sti' utional powers which Congress
possesses to treat with it? [ want
TO say to my Republican associates,
II such frauds do not exist, then our
Republican platforms that have as
sailed them, contain falsehoods, and
the Republican press that have
charged 1T are full of lies; and the
orator or stumper who charges that
frauds permeate our national cleo
tions should be denounced ~ a lying
scoundrel. If frauds of great magni-
tude do exist, then it becomes the
duty OF the American Congress to
act calmly but bravely within its
constitutional powers and TO reach
these gigantic evils and suppress
them. Ii they do not exist, say to
the party orator or stumper or poll
tlcian, call him as you will, that goes
through the country denouncing
Southern frauds and brutalities at
elections ought to seal his lips forev-
er on that question. We are not ap-
pealing to the Constitution to deal
with trifies, but to reach what we be-
lieve to be a gigantic evil. If these
evils do not exist, Republicans should
vote against the bill; if they do
exist, can not comprehend how any
Republican can vote against this
measure. Now, do they exist? -
Now, Mr.. Speaker, l come to the
question of proof / say first that
this nation needs no proof. There
is not a man in this Chamber but
knows that frauds, gigantic, condon-
ed, approved of, advocated, exist.
Mr.. McRAE. Do frauds exist in
your district?
Mr.. HENDERSON, of Iowa. No.
sir; not in Iowa. There is hardly
a school-boy old enough TO enter the
schools but knows that the state
ment l have made is correct, touch
ing the notoriety of Southern frauds.
And | was glad TO note the manly
courage OF that able and eloquent
Representative from South Carolina
Mr.. HEMPHILLl, who at no time in
that grand speech of his, from its be-
ginning to it's close, forgot the die
tates of an honest heart by even at
tempting the shadow of a denial.
Applause on the Republican side.
Further than that, Mr.. Speaker, no
Southern gentleman has traversed
the proposition in this debate.
Secondly, Congressional investiga-
tons had by the House and by the
Senate in Congress after Congress.
on sworn evidence taken not alone
from Republicans, not alone from
our colored citizens, but from white
Democrats, have proved again and
again the existence of gigantic
frauds, frauds Systematically, studi-
ously planned, engaged in, and car
ried out.
Third, Mr.. Speaker, and nearly In
the same line, the Congressional con-
tests in this Flfty-first Congress have
proved it without doubt-eighteen
contests in this House, seventeen of
them from Southern States; $40. 900
expended in contests for seats in this
House, and the bills waiting to be
provided for in the general defcfen-
cy bill; the greatest expense that
has ever been incurred in connection
with election frauds since the Forty
sixth Congress, when the aggreeat-
ed expense amounted to little over
$4,000. These proofs | can not
take up the time to recapitulate.
The honorable gentleman from Illi-
nois Mr. RowELLl, chairman of the
Committee on Elections, in his
speech the other day gave us n sad
sad list OF crimes thut had been com
mitted in tine name of the law
against the highest right of the
American citizen, wrongs that
should bring the blush to manly
faces, wrongs that should bring
down condemnation instead of wit
burning sarcasm, and hollow laugh
ter. Applause on the Republican
side
All, gentlemen, when the proofs.
sworn to, show the crimes that have
been committed, no wonder that |
am warranted in saying even the
children know of their existence.
NO DENIAL OF THE CHARGE.
Fourth. The existence of these
crimes is not denied by the South.
There may be now and then a very
brave and hardy Northern Demo
crat who will deny it. daughter on
the Republican side.] But Southern
Democrats, brave and manly as
they are, in open war, physical or in
tellectual, do not deny it. Go to the
Southern States and mingle with the
people there as / have done. Mingle
with them anywhere and everywhere
and they are too brave and honest
TO deny fact which they defend
in their hearts and with their lips
and acts. understand their excuse.
/ know what their feelings and what
their troubles are. have had them
say to me, HENDERSON, how would
you feel if a law were passed that
would allow your chattels, your
horse or your OK, to vote Go make
the laws to govern you Look at
our condition." understand their
line OF thought. ! have tried to put
mVSelf in their Dlacea In opdon to ha