The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-22
Federal Election Bill.

We make some extracts below
from a speech delivered by Hon.
Il. q. Ewart, OF North Carolina in
the House OF Representatives on the
Federal Election Law. What he
says ia sensible and 10 we'll worth
reading:
Mr.. Speaker,its n matter of deep regret
that stern sense OF duty compels me to
antagonize aproposition which large ma
jority of the political party to which be-
long are committed and have formally
indorsed as a party measure. / am well
aware of the penalty shall have to pay
i'm opposing this measure. Unfortunately,
il has reached that point in American
politics where, under the iron and despotic
ruling of King Caucus, a representative
of the people liz often forced to forget that
he has a conscience, and blindly ignoring
all sense of self-respect and manly pride
commit himself to the support of measur-
es which, deep down in his heart, he
knows to be utterly wrong.
We often hear of the nerve and bold
ness of politicians. That 10 q mere figure
q rule, the politician is an arrant coward,
and rarely ever possesses the courage OF
his convictions. His good sense, his cool
judgment, his conscience if he has any
may all condemn the measure under con-
siderstion, the crack OF the party lash
generally brings him covering and whim.
pering 20 the feet OF the master to do his
bidding. We need not 20 far to illustrate
what mean. To-day, TO our shame and
discredit be il said, there are Representa-
tives from sovereign States upon this floor
who, deep down In their hearts, know
that tn is election bill In no damnabfe, ill
ogieal, inequitabls, and vicious a piece
OF Legislation as was ever attempted TO be
placed upon the statue-book Of this Re
public. lApplause. And yet at a sac
ri6ce of their manhood, sober judgment.
their sense Of fairness and business, feel
ing the keen sting Of the caucus lash,
they will support measure which will
add untold mieeries to the woes OF the I'M
fortunate people il is designed TO help,
stir up race troubles and tactional strife
in our fair south land, and breed politi-
cal confusion worse COMPOUNDED.
do not know the distinguished authors
10 this bill. Perhaps the most distin-
A kuAnhNA1 Ahc hOhOA0DtN kCn@ACuA@n mum
Massachusetts, Mr.. Lodge]. know has
achieved great reputation as q CiYil-ser-
vice reformer' ln that respect concede
that he il n grand and glittering success.
He can ind ulge in more lofty declama-
ton on the beauties of civil-service reform
and at the same time secure more patron
age for his political henchmen and RETAIN
ers than any member OF the Massachu.
sets delegation, and that is say
ing great deal. L tughter an applause. J
But however great success he may be in
the line of ciVil-serviee reform,as states
man, II this piece Of legislation Is q fsir
criterion of his work, he is most
profound failure.
The distinguished gentleman from
Massachusetts has been, 4 am told an ex-
tensive traveller. tie has viewed the
| spendors Of sunrise an il fell ON noun
tain and cliff and glacier from the sum
init of Mount Blanc, he has placed his
footsteps IN those of Hannibal and N&po-
leon along the historic st. Bernard Pass
he has seen the gondolier life nj Venics,
the peasant life of modern Greece, the
life Of the laIaretto, and the nobility in
Florence and Rome; in a word, there is
little Of scenic splendor, of historic, social
OF political interest in the Old World
which he has not compelled to yield
tribute 10 enrich his store Of knowledge