The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-17
FEDERAL ELECTION BILL.
REEDS INOIsCREeT CONFESSION
OF ITS REAL PURPOSE.
No Patriotism About 1T Only Consroi OF
Southern Eiections-The silver bate-
free Coinage VS.. Federal Oyskeers-
Washington News.

Washington News. 40
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 16.-lsIcsial.
The conduct Of the Republican manafere Of
the House in regard to the Federal election
bill is that Of cheap political plotteff and
schemers. They have or rather did, a8lme
a lofty tone as 10 this matter OF FEDERAL
control of elections. They put it upon the
high plane Of political morality; the consti-
tutional protection Of the ballot. This
hypocrtical pretense was exposed when
Speaker Reed published his article
in the North American Review.
With his brutal frankness. Red
laid bare the whole motive Of this
scheme of legislation. He confessed that
its purpose was TO continue Republican
control in the House, and that the Republi-
cans really cared nothing for the negro, or
cared nothing for his legal right to vote,
but stood ready tO make Il compact that II
Southern Democrats would agree To let the
negro vote for Republican candidates for
Congress, the Republican party would will
ingly assent TO white supremacy in state
and local affairs in the South.
II was whispered last Saturday that the
Federal election bill, framed by the Repub-
lcan bosses, would be reported and made
public. THE TIMES correspondent made
inquiries of Messrs. Lodge and ROwell, and
was informed by both Of them that the bill
was not ready, and certainly that IL would
not be reported before this week. As a
matter Of fact, the bill was reported satur-
day afternoon, and Speaker Reed ordered
the clerks TO send IL to the Government
Printing Office under instructions ofsecrecy;
that the newspapers must not be permitted
to see it, as it was important to keep its
provisions secret. To-day the printed copies
of the bill came 10 the Capitol from the
government printing office. The object Of
the sccresy was to prevent Republicans, who
are opposed to any legislation tor the con
troll Of elections, from learning the intent
and purpose Of the bosses. caucus had
been called for tonight to consider the ques-
tiOn. and the bosses did not want ButterwOrth
and other Republicans who agree with him in
opposing Federal supervision Of elections to
become acquainted with the features of
their pet bill. That information would en-
able them TO combine against IT; whereas
to keep them in the dark until this evening
would get them at a disadvantage. Except
under the Reed regime or "mOdorn rules"
no such clandestine proceedings would be
possible.
JEALOUsIEs AROUSED BY THE BILL.
1t is extremely amusing to see
the jealousies that this bill has
aroused among Republicans in the House.
ROwell, chairman of the Elections Commit
tee. saws that Lodge had no right 10 present
the bill; that il was his CliOwcl's) bill;
that he prepared it, and ii was distinctly
understood that he should offer IT, but
Lodge took ''mean and sneaking adyan-
tagc' and "surreptitiously" presented it.
..I..r. 20 Ia.r Il.
now controversy between Reed, Lodge
and cabal on that side, and Rowell and
faction on his side as to who shall get the
credit Of originating the Election bill.
THE SENATE SILVER BILL.
The debate of the Silver bill in the Senate
provoked quite an animated political con-
troyersy. such Republicans as Sherman
and Allison attacked the Democratic record
on silver, using as a basis Cleyeland's letter
10 the Democrats Of the House just after his
election. Senator Vest repudiated Cleye-
lands declaration as To silver so iar as the
Democratic party is concerned and assert
ed that the Democratic party has always
been the true friend Of silver, and that ever
since its decentralization the Democratic
party has consistently favored free coinage.
FREE COINAGE VERSUS FEDERAL OVER
sEERs.
1t is no longer denied, even by blatant Re
publican writers and organs, that certain
Republican Senators did propose and did
agree 20 vote against any federal election
on condition that an equal number OF Dem
Ocrats would vote for the free coinage OF sill
yer. When the fact that such aprop0sal had
been made Dy Republican Senators in all
seriousness was announced in THE TIMES,
It was yOciferOusly denied and denounced
by Republican organs. Now that it can he
no longer denied, these same Republican
organs are endeayOring to whip the silver
Senators into "A state of subsection.
CONGREssMEN GO TO YORKTOWN.
A party made up of Congressman from
the thirteen original States and number OF
invited guests left here this afternoon at 3;l0
on Il trip TO the monument at Yorktown,
Va. concentrating the surrender OF Corn
wallis. Tuesday morning the party VIII be
entertained by Mr.. Cruikshank. the present
owner Of the house in which the recapitua-
tiOns were signed.
THE ELECTION BILL IN CAUCUS.
4 caucus Of Republican representatives
held in the House tonight was devoted to
the consideration of the new national cleo
ton bill. and to outlining plan OF con
ccrtcd action for pushing in through the
House. The McC0mas anti-serrymander-
ing bill was also considered. There
was small attendance. Considerable
time was devoted To discussing
amendments offered by Mr.. Frank, or
Missouri, TO section II and 10 of the bill.
These amendments were identical with sec
tions of the original Lodge Election bill, and
provided that the final bond of canyassers
for Congressional district should consist
of the ChiefSuperyisor, the Clerk oftheJ nited
states District Court in that district, and the
United states Marshal for the Judicial die
trict in which the Congressional district Is
situated. and also that when the state Oh
fcers declared one person elected and the
Canvassing board another, the House
should determine who was entitled to a
seat.
The perfected bill provides that the circuit
judges shall appoint an independent can
yassing board OF three persons, and that
when there is n difference between the Stale
officers and this board as 10 who is elected
in a Congressional district, the boards GER
tifcate shall prevail.
After considerable debate Mr.. FRANK
amendments were rejected. The bill was
finally adopted practically intact although
it was agreed that several suggestions 0i-
fered i'm regard TO perfecting technicalitics
should be- considered by the Caucus Com
m,ttee on Elections, which was given full
power 10 net concerning the insertion Of
these technicalites in the bill.
The bill will probably be taken up Tor
consideration before the end OF this week.
TirE M'CoMAs BILL LOST.
Mr.. McCOmas, when the Election bill had
been disposed Of, asked for a consideration
of his bill to prevent the gerrymandering
Of Congressional districts by State l-egisla-
lures. After long debate the McC0mas
anti-G bill was lost.
CAPITAL NOTES.
The following Virginia pensions were
granted: Wiley W. Roberts, Flat Ridge;
Oscar Jubilee, Norfolk; Joseph schmidt,
National Military Home; George +. Savage
Birds Nest.
Mr.. Butterworth introduced in the House
to-day resolution providing that the House
meet on the ith OF July at II O'Clock a. NJ,
and devote the day 10 the celebration by
suitable exercises Of the adoption and pro-
mitigation Of the declaration Of lndepen-
dence.
The award of the S,lJ0t0n armored
cruiser was to-day made 10 William Cramp
a sons. of Philadelphia, adopting their plan
and arrangements of engines and boilers,
sixteen feet in diameter, and substituting
s.II