Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-12
THURSDAY. ........JUNE II. 1890.



II the Republicans in Congress viii sow
the wind they must reap the whirlwino'
An indignant people will whisk them from
their seats and install IN their places those
who have more respect for constitutional
rights. They are framing Federal cleo
tion-lew 10 deprive the South Of ITS due IN
fucnce in Government, bLt VIII find that
chains forged 10 bind Us will quite rs often
b. found clanking at their own heels IN
tho North and West.
Their caucus night before last resolved
70 merge the LoDGE and RowELL bills and
therefrom frame a measure the chef idca
of which will be an application OF the
supervisory system so that the supervisors
shall participate in registration, voting
and cqnrassinq. To carry ont their scheme
the supervisors returns are to be pr7md.t1c'c
evidence Of the right Of a member 10 his
seat and are 20 prevail in making up the
Toll Of the House IN cases OF conhlctlng
returns the certificates Of the State can
vassers NAV be used TO allow the House 70
form its judgement of the qualifications OF
the contestant.
As soon as the proposition Is reduced to
form by a committee 1t is expected that
another caucus viii be called to adopt the
measure formally and provide for its
speedy consideration by the House.
The Democratic party IN tins country
has existed through too many mutations OF
time and fortune to be scared to death by
any device that can possibly emanate from
tho brains Of Messrs. RowTLL and LoDGE.
Often before have the Republicans been
caught in their own traps. The bestOwal
of the franchise upon great hoTdes Of igno-
rant and recontly-emancipated negroes IL
anlnsfance Of the falhbihty of their judg-
ment where it is swayed by party rancor
and sectional hate rather than by reason
and Justice.
II is not IN their power - draft bill
which will apply to the South and not to
the North. If they hamper the ballot
down here they Will find their invention
thorn ia their sides up there.
However. It seems they are so appre-
hensiye Of losing the House at the next
election that they are now proceeding
upon the theory that they havo nothing to
lose and possibly something TO gain by add
ing to the existing Federal statutes in rela-
ton 10 supervisors provisions which Will
give TO these officers extensive powers not
only at registrations and elections, but at
the canvassing of the votes.
1t will be the duty of the Democrats in
The House Of Representatives TO resist this
revolutionary and indefensihle measure by
all the skill and resources at their COM
mand. Possibly they may succeed; If not,
at least they Will have the consciousness OF
duty we'll done. There Is some hOpein tho
Senate. That body ought TO be above
Speaker Rene control.
At any rate we in Virginia who are ac-
customed To seeing the Republican party
take advantage of every opportunity that
chance or audacity places within its reach
should not be satisfied with ourselves I'M
Ill we have so organized AZ to be allie to
feel that come election-law OF no We can
summon to the polls in November such a
solid Democratic vote that will defy even
the worst wilcs of tho enemy to cheat us
out of victory.
To do this, however, We uust organize
BEGINNING with the precincts and magis-
terial districts the work should extend to
towns. cities, counties, and congressional
districts, until the Wholesale Is embraced
In the plan.
Much Of the work it is not possible TO do
until nominations have been made, but
mean time planning may GO on.
The next House should be Democratic.
Weshould carry 1t by such odds that no
r-lse or daring Of the opposition can take il
away.
1t is time TO 60 TO work.