New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-30
crNaTOR HISCOCK on THE ELECIION

OIN1 ICh HioSONh
BILL.
No Democrat will read Senator Hlscock
sneech on the Election bill who can help II.
For ifs exposure of the past conduct and present
atttude of the Democratic party with respect
TO election frauds and their prevention n''@'
be to Democrats dose altogether 100 hauseo"S
to be voluntarily taken 1t WouId ho' po
nauseous at all if it were not true, Du' 'he
Senator has presented facts which cannot DC
disputed facts established by official reports
and thorough nvesugations, III manner DIT
once courteous and convincing.
How can any Senator like to have 1t proved
that he stands as the apOlogist and defender Oh
crime-and Of the most dangerous ana offensive
of ali crimes But Senator IisCOck shows,
fret that tho success and even the very exist
ence of free institutions depends upon 'ho
purity of elections, so that no method can NC
too perfect, no safeguard too effective, Tor 'ha'
puIDOse and second, that Democrats nave pech
and are the constant opponents OF measures "
prevent fraud and secure purity OF elecuohS'
and then asks with force whether Democratic
Senators are not pleading for license to crlm-
inals. rather than for the rights OF the peo-
pIe when they resist measures OF reform. Inc
DfcNdIeUCc VI SUCH NIIHI'S - - 49,
and by good citizens OF all parties dcplorcd.
Beyond question the upright men OF both par
ties could unite in framing measure cntlrcN
free from partsanShip, which wGdld be Ga IN
calculable benefit To all honest citizens. But
what measure of that nature have Democrats
ever proposed? What one, proposed by any
body. have they ever accepted without resist
ance? When Senator Hiscock puts these ques-
tions il is safe to say that no Democrat Will
answer.
The Senator does not rest content with this
negative proof, though it is most conclusive.
He reviews at length the history OF election
crimes in New-l ork and their prevention by
the Federal Ac. of 1871; shows how $4,000
fraudulent naturalization papers were issued by
Democratic Judges in this city in single
month, and that 80, 900 of them have been de-
tected and destroyed by United States officials
under the Act of 1871. lie gives at length the
damnng proof that Democratic party man
ayers, from Mr.. 1idcn downward, were re-
sponsble for this carnival of crime, and for
the purpose of electing Democratic President
and makes il exceedingly clear that the ederal
Act alone has prevented the carrying OF clcc-
tions by crime ever since. How is il, aS tho
senator very pcrtinently asks that Democrats
only have resisted and denounced the law.
though the sands OF the best and abcSt OF them
have condemned these crimes, and actnowl-
edged the valuable services whkh supervisor
Davenport has rendered?
Senator HiScocI, then proceeds to compare in
detail the proposed Federal law with the act
which has worked well for years in New
York At each step he shows that is pro-
Visions are calculated 10 secure greater proi"c-
ton 70 the rights of citizens, with less risk OF
abuse or injustice. Whoever will examine this
portion OF his speech will find in it an admir-
able exposition and defence of the bill which
is pending in the senate, and which the entire
Democratic party proposes to defeat il possible
by blocking the wheels of government. II j.
with great force that the question Is asked, how
any honest citizen Of either party can object
% a measure so free from partSan>hp and 50
well calculated to defend the rights Of every
! honest citizen of either party.
The Senator spends only a small part Of his
time in discussing the situation in the southern
states, but he points out without reserve the
prevalence Of fraudulent elections in that soc
ton, and the openly avowed purpose OF leading
| Democrats 10 deprive Il large portion of the
people who are cOnStituionaly entitled 10 vote
of their right OF suffrage. Reference is made
TO the great volume Of evidence which has ac-
cumuacd in cOnteSted-cIectiOn cases showing
how completely the right OF suffrage has been
denied t. a great multitude OF legally qualified
citizens. But in no part OF Senator llScOcE
speech is the measure treated as especially de
signed for enforcement or for beneficial result,
| in the Southern States. The truth is that il i
especially needed in Northern cities, and o
! that fact Democratic managers are we'll aware
One Of the strongest points Of this able speech
is the reference to the attempt made in the
NLVth Congress, by provision in an Appro
priation bill. to repeal the act under Whicl
frauds in New DIRK bad been checked. Agar
and again the Democratic majority in the HOUSE
has cndeavoled either 10 repeal that act or tt
rob it OF all efficiency by refusing the pay o
| nited States officials who discharged duic
under it. With great reason il is shown The
pending bill therefore provides a pcrmancn
appropriation for the services Of those who MAJ
be called upon 10 enforce the proposed law.