New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-14
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
FOR HONEST ELECTIONS.
HOW TO SECURE FREE BALLOT AND A FAIR
COUNT

TO tho Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The advocates OF a free ballot and an honest
count Of the cast may we'll be alarmed al 'he
continued suppression Of the votes of any class III
any section Of the United states. In principle IL
matters not where such things or are attempted
in the North or the South by what party or means
the Acknowledgement is accomplished, whether by
| fraud, intimidation, or murder The three methous
have been in operation in several Of the reconstructed
states ever since the withdrawal of military and cV
Federal officers, but more particularly since ABOUT
| 1876.
At first, the attempted suppression OF the negro
voc denied later it boastully admitted ana
| Is now justified by leading men in those states. me
question is delicate. IL not difficult one, where each
| state is admitted to be sovereign in judging ana
settling its own affairs But In It's relations WIN
the United states Government all the other States
are interested and have right 10 inquire into what
ever methods-ln any state-are in conflict with the
rights Of the people in that the other states OF the
! Union.
section in Article OF the Constitution OF the
United states provides Each House Senate ana
House of Representatives. shall he the Judge oil the
elections returns, and qualifications of It's own mem
bcrs7 OF the Amendments to the Constitution Article
NV contains, clause IAN persons born or haturai-
lied in the United states and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof are citizens OF the United states and OF the
state wherein they reside. No State shall make or
enforce any law which shall abrdGe the privileges OF
mmunities OF citizens of the United States nor snail
| any state deprive any person OF life, liberty, or
| property without due process Of law, nor deny 10
any person within lis jurisdiction the equal protection
| of the laws
Clause O." Representatives shall be apportioncd
among the several states according their respective
numbers. counting the whole number Of persons IN
each state. But when the right to vote at any cleo
ton for the choice Of President and Vice
President of the United States. representatives in Con
grcss the executive and judicial officers of the state
or the members the Legislature thereof j. denied TO
any Of the male members Of state being twenty
years OF age. and citizens OF the United states Or In
any way abridged, except for participation IN rebellion
other crime, the basis OF representation therein
shall be reduced I'm the proportion which the number OF
such male citizens shall bear 10 the whole number
of male citizens twenty-one years OF age IN such
| state
Article Ky reads clause !: The right Of tn;
citizens Of United states 10 vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United states or any state on aC-
count Of race, color. or previous condition oil serVl
! tudc
The Constitution also says: The Congress shall
have power to enforce y appropriate legislation the
| provisions OF these articles.
ndcr the Constitution the senate and House Is the
sole Judge If the qualifications Of those presenting
bodies. II there Is satisfactory evidence that any
one claiming elected by force fraud, or any
corrupt methods he should be excluded, even without
tie f0rmallty Of a contested
1. IT not clearly the duty Of member, Of the senate
and House Ia purge themrcl1c' and those bodies from
| completely Wth those VINO nave Violated tIc spirit
and letter Of the Constitution II majority IN
each branch VIII take the CONSTITUTIONAL view OF tH'
subject the present political race troubles viii be
safely, speedily. peacefully and permanently settled.
! II not done soon. there will be more serious race
| conflicts I'm the future.
. 1t should not be retarded as a party question.
The proper solution is he foundation o. free govern
| mcnt AZ This time II would perhaps Dee better for
Congress 10 require tho ability 10 read and write the
English language ~ condition ~ voting for federal
officer. Inc United state ~ Brazil wisely require,
That qualification for manhood suffrage. Even com
| pul>ory voting has advoctt",. and II al the better
class Of citizens could ice induced 10 vote, IL would
! lc q material -lin
any class Of people to lr d-ffuChs"d by ilc-a and
brutal means. To ,uCit.n and ci",ute the poor and
unfortunate + - TIE most obvious functions and
duties 81 good government. II II also ada t'hliN
! - nation. wealth. and happIuc,- % o. people.
| specie pas mcut was 10 resume VIII the present
! CouEie~, lad th' v1y 20 solution ~ tho present
abuses of the suffrage question n viii De cOWarlly
10 refuse neglect 10 DO II, and the los, 81 -rand
| opportunity. JOEL W. SMITH.