New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-20

THE HOUSE AND THE ELECTION BILL
Senators cannot afford to forget that the
House of Representatives has equal authority
and power with the Senate and the Election
bill concerns only the choice OF members OF the
House. Have they not some right to be IN
dignant if the Senate refuses 10 consider Il
measure which the House has declared neces-
sary in order to prevent a control OF that body
by fraud and crime?
The House has investigated cases of contest
with unusual care this year, and has found IN
a remarkably large number conclusive proof
that men officially returned were not elected
by the people More than fifty members OF
the House know that they are liable To be
beaten by Just such frauds next fall and win
ter. They think not of themselves only, but
of the defeat of each and every Republican
principle. and of the welfare OF all industries
which the election of Democratic House
would HARM With such knowledge ana Such
motives the House has passed Federal Elec-
ton bill TO prevent fraudulent election OF
members of that body only
Would 1t be in the least degree strange
if. under such circumstances, some Repre-
sentatives should resent the sacrifice Of TIM
measure profeSsedly for the passage OF the
Tariff bill? Would it be strange II some
should refuse to allow the Tariff bill to succeed
in that way? Grant that they ought not to
take such a course for Senators who care
chiefly for that bill the practical question IS
whether REPRESENTATIVES who have a natural
and intense interest in the bill which promises
honest elections in their own districts are
likely to assent TO It's poStponemcnt until after
IL; Col nd of
successors. Senators do not need to be told
that very few members of the House, if they
should sec fit. could block the measure for
which Senators are sacrificing the Election bill.
Mere refusal to he present when conference
report on the Tariff bill comes in would leave
their party without quorum in the House, and
therefore unable 10 do any business.
That course could not be justified. but
neither can the sacrifice by Senators of bill
which concerns the House peculiarly, and which
the entire body of Republicans III the House
has declared necessary. The right 10 deter
mine how far that measure is essential be-
longs in the nature of things peculiarly 10 the
House. In that body the feeling is natural
that no other measure is Of greater importance.
Senators cannot afford 10 ignore this feeling or
oontemptuousy to disregard il. That is not
the way to get any other party measure passed.
But Senator's say, ave cannot pass the
Election bill" You have not tried, gentle
men. What the House and the country have
right to ask is that you shall bring it TO a
vote at this session Then the country can
hold to personal responsibility those who think
fit to vote against it. Again Senators say,
eve cannot get a final vote on that bill or
the Tariff bill either without sacrificing some
thing" The answer is again, You have not
tried. gentlemen. Senator IIOar will offer to-
day resolution fixing date soon after the
disposal of the Tariff bill for vote on the
Election bill. If all Republican Senators will
support that resolution it can be passed,
and the passage Of the two impOr-
tant party measures will then depend upon
the individual judgment of Senator's each
upon his own responsibility TO the people as
to their proprety and wisdom. If some SEN
atOrs refuse to support such resolution the
House and the country have a right to know
their names and TO hear their reason for re-
| fusing.