The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Pass the EIectinn Law.

pletes the shortcomings OF fraud.
Pass the Election Law.
In my last annual message 1 suggested that
the development of the existing law providing
q Federal supervision of Congressional cleo
tions offered effective method OF reforming
these abuses. The need OF such o law has
manifested itself in many parts of the country,
and it's wholesome restraints and penal
ties will be useful in all. The constitution.
atty of such legislation has been affirmed
by the Supreme Court It's probable effect
iveness is evidenced by the character of
the opposition that is made to it, 1t has been
denounced as if it new exercise of
Federal power and an invasion of the rights
of the States. Nothing could be further nom
the truth. Congress has already fixed the
time for the election of members of Congress.
1t has declared that votes for members OF
Congress must be by written or printed Dallots;
it has provided for the appointment by the Cir
cult Courts in certain cases, and upon the peGl-
tion of q certain number of citizens of election
supervisors, and made it their duty to supervise
the registration of voters conducted by the
State officers to challenge persons offering
to register; to personally inspect and scruU-
iniZe the registry lists, and TO atllX their
names to the lists for the purpose OF 1deDuhca-
ton and the prevention or frauds TO aClend 40
elections and remain with the boxes Uu the
votes are all cast and counted to attach to the
registry list and election returns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness OF the regis
try list and election; and to take ana IRA
to the Clerk of the House Of Representatives any
evidence of the fraudulent practices which may
be presented to them. Inc same law PROVIDES
for the appointment Of Deputy United States !
Marshals to attend at 40 polls, support the
supervisors in the discharge OF their duties
and to arrest persons violating the elecTlCh
law The provisions of this familiar title IN
the Revised Statutes have been put to exc rc1se
by both the political parties, and in the North
as well as in the South by the filing with the
court of the petitions required by law;
It is not therefore, question whether we
shall have federal election law, for we now
have one. and have had for nearly twenty years,
but whether we shall have an effective law.
The present law stops just short Of effective
ness for it surrenders to the local authorities
all control over the certihcation which
establishes the prima facie right to O.
defect should be cured. Equality of repre-
sentation and the parity of the electors must
be maintained, or everything that IS valuable
in our system OF government is lOst. inc qual-
ifications of elector must be sought IN the
law, not in the opinions, preJud1ces, or fears OF
anv class however powerful The path of the
elector to the ba1Iot-boX must be free from the
ambush of fear and the enticeInents OF fraud ;;
the count SO true and open that none shall
gainsay it. Such law should be absolutely
non-partisan and impartial 1t should give
the advantage to honestly and the control
to maiorities. Surely there ia nothingi
sectional about this creed, and II 1T shall nap
pen that the penalties of laws intended to en-
force these rights fall here and not there,
it is not because the law is sectional, but be-
universal Nor should it be forgotten
that every law, whether relating to elections
to any other subject, Whether enacted by Inc
State or by the nation, has force behind it. The
courts the marshal or constable, the posse
comitatus, the prison, are all and always be-
hind the law
One can not Justly be charged with unfriend-
illness to any section or class who seeks only to
restrain violation of law and of personal right. /
No community will find lawlessness profitable i
No community can afford to have it known that
the officers who charged with the preserva-'
ton of the public peace and the restraint OF Che
criminal classes are themselves the product of,
fraud or violence The magistrate is then with
out respect and the law without sanction. The
foods of lawlessness cannot be 1eveed and made
to run in one channel The killing of a United
States Marshal carrying writ of arrest for an
election offense is full of prompting and sugges-
ton to men who are pursued by City Marshal,
for a. chine against life and property. Butt
it is said that this legislation will revivei
race aninosities, and some have even sug.l
gested that when the peaceful methods OF
fraud are made impossible they may be sup
pIemented by intimidation and violence. If the
proposed law. gives to any qualified elector.
by g. BARS weight. than hist
equal influence or detracts by so mucn
from any other qualified elector, 1T is
fatally impeached. But if the lawis equal and
the animosities it is to evoke grow out Of the
fact that some electors have been accustomed
to exercise the franchise for others as well as
for themselves, then these animosities ought:
not to be confessed without shame andl
cannot be given any weight in the discussionI
without dishonor. No choice is left TO me DuCl
to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure
to the citizen his constitutional rights, and to
recommend that the inadequacies or such laws
be promptly remedied
every project for the development OF it's ma
teriaI interests, its rivers, harbors, mines and
factories and the intelligence and peace and
security under the law of it's communities
and its homes, is not accepted as sufficient
evidence of friendliness to any State or section,
can not add connivance at election practices.
that not only disturb local results but rob the
electors of other States and sections OF their
most priceless political rights.
Appropriation Bills.
The preparation of the general appropriations
bills thould be conducted with the greatest care
and closest scrutiny OF expenditures. Approx
priations should be adequate to the needs of the
public service, but they should be absolutely
free from prOdigahty.
venture again to remind you that the brief
time remaining for the consideration of the
important legislation now awaiting your att
tention offers margin for waste. If
the present duty is discharged with diligence,
fidelity and courage the work of the Fifty-frgt
Congress may be confidently submitted to the
considerate Judgment of tho people.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. Dec l, 1890.