Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-12-04

or Terriuurit or to individuals or associations.
upon the condition that the necessary works
nished NJ fair rates, without Discrimination,
the ra.es to be subject to supervision by
the Legislatures or by boards OF water com.
missoners duly cons itutod. The essential
thing 60 be secured is the common and equal
use nj fair rates OF the accumulated water sup
ply, II Were almost better That these lands
should remain arid than that those who occupy
them should become the slaves of unrosh aimed
monopolios, controlling the essential element OF
land values and crop results.
Better Election Laws.
If any intelligent and loyal company Of
American citizens were required TO catalogue
the essential human conditions OF lie, l do
not doubt that With absolute unanimity 10
would begin with ~iree and honest eltctiona.'
And II "a gratifying TO know that generally
thore is n growing and non-partisan demand
for better election laws But against this sign
OF hope and progress must DO set Che depressing
aud undeniabe fact that election laws and
methods are sometimes ounningly oontrived 70
secure minority control, while violence COM
pletes the shortcomings of fraud.
Pass the Election Law.
In my last annual message | suggested that
the development u the existing law providing
Federal supervision OF Congress sional oleo-
tions offered an effective method OF reforming
these abuses. The need of such a law has
mani fostod itself In many paris OF the country,
and its wholesome restraints and penal
ties will bo useful in all. The constitutions
alty OF such legislation has been affirmed
by the supreme Court. It's probable effect
iveness IL evidenced by the character OF
the opposition that Ia made to it. IL has been
denounced as If It were new exercise OF
of the States. Nothing could be further from
tho truth. Congress has already fixed tbs
time for the election OF members OF Congress.
1t has declared that votes for 2uombors OF
Congress must be by written or printed balotsi
IL has provided for tho appointment by tho Cir
cult Courts In certain cases, and upon tho petit
ton OF n certain number OF citizens. OF election
supervisors, aud made IL their duty 10 supervise
the registration OF voters conducted by tho
State officers to challenge persons offering
10 register To personally Inspect and scrut-
inize the registry lists, aud 30 atiix their
names TO the lists for the purpose OF identihca-
elections and remain with tho boxes tll the
votes are all cast and counted 60 attach TO tho
registry list aud election ret urns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness OF the regis
try lis aud election and to take aud transmit
to the Clerk OF the House OF Represent atiyos any
evidence OF the fraudulent practices which may
be presented 90 them. Tho same law provides
for tho appointment OF Deputy United states
Marshals to attend Mt tho polls, support the
supervisors I'm the discharge of their duties
and TO arrest persons violating the election
law. The provisions OF this familiar title in
the Revised Statutes have boon put 20 exc rcise
by both the poll ticai parties. and in the North
as well as in The South, by tho Ming with the
court OF the poti ions required by law.
IL IL not therefore. question whether we
shall have II federal election law, for we now
have one, aud have had for nearly twenty years,
but whether we shall have an effective law.
The present law stops Just short OF elective
Dess, for 1T surrenders TO tho local authorities
ali control over tho oorti6cation which
establi hes tho prima facio right to
seat In the House OF Representations. ILts
defect should be cured Equality OF repro
ssntation and the parity OF the electors must
DO maintained, or everything that is valuable
in our system OF government IL lost. 1b3 quail
ihcations OF an eleotor must be sought in the
law, not IN the opinions, prejudi'es, or fears ~
any class however powerful The path OF tho
elector TO the bnlot-box must be free from tho
ambush Of fear and tho enticornents OF fraud;
tho count so true aud oren that none shall
gainsay IT, Such "A law should DO absolutely
non partisan and impartial It shouli give
the advantage TO honesty and tho control
to mn critics. Surely there is nothing
sectional about this creed aud il 10 shall hap
pen that tho penalties OF laws intended TO GU
force thoBO rights fall here and not there,
it is not because tho Law Is sectional, but be
cauto, happily. crime is loenl and and nor
that every lay, neither relating TO elections or
20 any her subject whether enacted by tho
state or by the nation, has force behind H. Inc
courts. tho marshal or cons able. tho posse
eomitatus. the prison, are oil aud always be-
hind the law
Ono can not Justly be charged with unfrend-
Ii-ass 10 any SO stlon or class who seeks only 10
restrain violation OF law and OF personal right.
No comnlun " ~ i'll find lawlessnesB profitable.
No community can afford TO have ~ known that
the Objects " no IRE charged WIN mo DTtholf6-
5oE OF tho public pence md the restraint Of the
criminal clhHso8 are themselves the product OF
fraud or violence. The magislrtte 10 then with
out aspect aud tho law without sanction. The
foods a. In lessnsss cannot be leYosd and mado
to ruuI one channel The killing Of II United
StaoB Marsha carrying writ OF arrest for an
election offense 10 full Of prompting and sugRes-
ton 10 men who are pursued by CITY Marshal
for a cine against life and property. But
IL ia said THAI this legislation Will revive
race animosites, and some have even sug..
pested thai when the peac ful methods OF
fraud are made impossible they may be sup
plemeuted by intimidation and violence. II The
proposed law gives TO any qualified eloctor,
by hairs weight. more han his
from any other qualified olectOr, IL rs
fatally inpeached. But If the Law is equal and
the aninoBties it is TO eyoEo grow out OF the
fact tha' some electors have been accustomed
to exercise the franchise Tor others as well as
for Themselves, then those animosi los ought
not 70 be confessed vi bout shame aud
cannot DO gwen any weight in the discussion
without dfBhonor No choice is left 10 mo but
TO enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure
to the citizen his constitutional rights, end TO
recommend THAT the inadequacies OF such laws
il to promote with zeal and ready interest
every project for h dev lopment OF its ma
tarial iuterosts it's rivers, harborB, mines and
fac cries and the intelligence and peace aud
security under the law Of It's communities
and its homes, Is not ed as sufficient
evidence Of friendliness TO any State or section
/ can not add connivanc5 at election practices
that not only disturb local result but rob tho
electors OF other States and sections Of their
most priceless political rights
Appropriation Bills.
The treparnsion OF the general appropriation
bills thoud be condue ed with the greatest care
end closest scrutiny OF Expenditures. Appro-
priatfonB should be adequate to the needs OF the
public service. ont they should be absolutely
free from Irodgalty.
l venture again to remind you that the brief
time remaining for the consideration OF the
important legislation now awaiting your at
tention ode1s no margin for waste. II
the present duty 10 discharged with diligence,
fidelity and courage. The work OF tho fifty-frst
CONGRESS may b5 confidently Ggbmitted to the
Judgment Of tho people,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec /. 1870.