The Washington bee., 1890-07-05
THE FEDERAL ELECTION
BILL.


at some length the necessity OF
the immediate passage of the
pending election bill which pro-
poses to throw around the ballot
box such safe guards as will rem
der frauds at elections practically
impossible. The bill has since
passed the House of Representa-
tives by strict party vote with the
exception one or two weakened
Republicans who, either through
fear of Democratic violence, or
love of Democratic applause, a,
bandoned their party associates
upon one of the most vital ques-
tons before the present Congress.
The bill will now go to the Seu-
ate, aud millions of American
citizens, both celored and white,
will watch the action of that
body with breathless anxiety. for
upon its decision rests the desti-
ny of a nation. The passage OF
this bill will insure fair elections
and, consequently, a Republican
majority in the next House of
Representatives; its defect will
turn back the hand of national
progress twenty-five years, be-
cause it will be a victory in the
interest of fraud and rascality at
elections, and will be regarded
by the Southern Democratic bull
dozers aud ballot box suffers as
a declaration on the part of Re-
publican Senate that their infs-
nous methods are approved, and
that thOy may pursue their nefo-
rious work at pleasure. The air
is pregnant with rumors as to the
actions of Republican Senators.
1t is whispered that sufficient
number of Republicans to defeat
the bill will either absent them
selves, or vote with tne Demo-
Gratis in pursuance of an under~
standing already existing. It is
openly stated that the Democrats
by dilatory motions and long
wintled speeches on the tariff bill,
propose TO carry the session into
the autumn months, unless the
Republican majority shall agree
to abandon the bill for the present
session.
The insinuation that RepubIi-
can Senators will fail to do their
duty in this great emergency, by
either absenting themselves or
voting with the Democrats, we
regard as an insult to them, indi>
vidually, and a gross reflection
upon the party which they repre-
sent. That the Democrats will at
tempt to defeat the measure by
resort to fibusting tactics, We do
not for q moment doubt, for with
them it is life and death strug-
gle, knowing as they do that the
elimination of frauds from cleo
tions will seal their fate. To cir.
cumvent them, let the Senate
promptly amend it's rules in the
manner proposed by Senator
Chandler, and thus render it lm~
possible for the minority to
thwart the will of the majority.
The remedy is in their own hands
and We doubt not that they will
apply it.
We say to our party. friends.
in Sll candor and kindness. that
the pledges made on the stump
and through party journals must
be redeemed. We have solemnly
pledged Southern Republicans,
black and white, that if gwen pow
er in both houses of Congress, we
would enact such legislation as
would at least secure fair count
of their votes; aud under this
pledge they have supported the
party under circumstances scarce
ly dreamed of by the Northern |
voter. What excuse can we offer |
to them should We fail to pass
this bill? What excuse can we
offer to the millions of black and
white Republicans at the North,
who have supported the party up
on the ground that if given po-
htlcal ascendaRcy in the nation,
1t would as far as possible reme>
dy these evils? Pass this bill and
appeal TO the enlightened Judge
ment of the American people and
We shall be sustained at the polls.