New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-04

HnNEST ELECHDNS.

Homo, IT, the Republican senators, VINO nave
oourocoousv and promptly entered upon the
discharge of their duties. The foremost ol
,hoso dutios for members OF the Senate was the
massage f a bill to secure honest c'cOohs.
Without opposition Republican Senators agreed
IN take I'M this measure and act upon II as
snoediIv as possible. If there is waste OF Time
nv Democrats in order 10 prevent actlcn on
this measure. a sufficient number OF kcpub-
l;c,nS stand pledgcd to vote for a change OF
tho ,ulos I'm order to pass the Election bill.
the Apportionment bill. the Shipping bill, and
otbor essential measures, during a short >eS-
sion. = change of the rules VIII in all probability
be found absolutely necessary. unless l'cho.
cratic Senators abandon the indecent policy OF
wasting time. But It will soon NJ MADE ci'ar
whether this is their intention II the ADVICE
given 10y some newspapers which pretend 10
be reputable is followed.
bill to prevent fraudulent elections l. penn
ing and certain newspapers. among them Inc
Ncw-York Tines bcratc Democratic senators
for failing to occupy several hours ~,>elcNSII III
reading a hill which lies before each menloc'
in printed form. This censure commits ne
Ncw-York Times and such other papers 10 Il
policy of maintaining fraudulent elections ~ i
permancnt feature of the political system a""
resisting. even by the ma>t indecent means
the more consideration of any measure intend
cd 70 secure for every citizen one free vote non
os,ly counted. Senators from southern con
,,itucncicS. who are not obliged to conSldef
what the people think, but only what ballot
how s%tuifnr, and forgcrS OF returns can do. may
nerhops afford 10 mold a position so shameless
II .rI. .L,.Lop. - tnfnIlpgnf
bodv of Northern citizens. whatever th"lr pc
li,Ical preferences, will in the end uphold >lch
conduct.
This * not a measure for the benefit Of any
Marty Democrats have been saving Ion a
month "\ow we shall SOC that Republicans
will not dare to pass the Election bill. because
if would probably have 10 be executed by i
| Democratic President after two years Inc
dieniicd and manly answer Of Republican sen
atorS is u take mp the bill without any dPIdN
They propose. not a partisan measure hu' Il
bill 10 secure far and hOn-St elections. Ih''
are not afraid that the country Will ever c.cc'
q Democratic President 80 lost 10 sham" ma
he will uSe the powers OF such a measure t.
defeat honest elections. Neither do Democrats
themselves i'm their hearts believe that 4. Re
publican President would - abuse powers IN
fu>tcd 10 him. What the country needs, an'
has a right to expect from Congress, i loGiN.
lation which can be used with power by an!
and every upright Executive to restrain an'
prcvcnt frauds in elections, whether ati'mptc'
by one party or the other. Livery good cit|ci
ought to rejoice tina, such power can be l'dGr'
with "A high and responsible officer OF the N1.
tional t;G.crnmcnt.
i, is to j." hoped that this measure VIII now
be pushed to final action in the SENATE without
any unnecessary delay. Smc details 81 th'
bill proposed by the committed Of the senate
may require attention. and in some things In
Bill may seem 10 need modification. l'ut II
the main it is an improvement upon the i.caN
IRE which passed the House and would undoubi
edly be accepted in the House without hesitation
or delay. senators viii need - remember tina
thi, short session. necessarily crowded wit
most impoitam iah9r>, viii leave them IT,
,ca.t possible time for >pccchmaking or decay
and IL j, We that the Republican members q
that body enter upon their duties NIih q SplrI
which promises }|jgorou, dispatch OF business