The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-13
THE ELECTIONS BILL CRISIS.

The attitude of the Republican ma
jority and that of the Democratic minority
in the United States Senate in regard 70
the federal elections bill have been clearly
indicated. The former have determined TO
allow ample and liberal time for every
Democratic senator to express his opposi-
ton TO the measure, and then to bring 1t to
vote. The latter have determined to talk
against time, to repeat their speeches, and
by every device known to parliamentary
tactics 10 prercnt rotef
1t must be remembered that this bill has
been before congress and the country for
several months 1t has been published and
rcpublished in full, and section By section
has been freely discussed in congress, in
the public press of every section of the
Union and on the hustings. 1t is per-
fectly understood, and every citizen capa-
bic of an intelligent opinion has made up
his mind for or against 1t. Fifty-one sena-
tors are in favor of its passage. Thirty
seven senator's are opposed to it.
The question which now transcends all
all others is, shall the 81 be more potent to
prevent its passage than the 81 to pass it
This strikes at the very vitals offree repre-
sentative government; at the fundamental
principle of majority rule. And it is a
case in which the majority have been very
ienient; perhaps dangerously and culpa-
bly, so. The bill might have been passed
at the first session, but was postponed in
Difference to the views and wishes of the
minority. The present session is a short
one by constitutional limitation. There is
much other important legislation which
the public welfare imperatively demands
the disposal of, and for the neglect of
which the majority viii be held respon-
sibIe.
So that the case stands in this shape:
More than eight millions; more than one
eighth of the entire population of the
United States, distinctly endowed with
citizenship by the federal constitution.
who are distinctly, by special clauses of
that instrument, guaranteed against any
denial of their right TO vote, and in the
equal protection of the laws, are in fact
AtHAF1 tit W fuic anu Vi
the equal protection Of the laws. The Re-
publican party, in its last national conven-
ton, made formal and solemn pledge to
correct this state of affairs if the people
would intrust it with the power. BY
strictly constitutional and lawful methods
the people accepted that pledge and in
trusted it with the power.
Now comes the test aud the crisis: To
enact law which shall give effect to a
violated constitutional guarantee; to en-
able more than one-eighth of the citizens
of the United States to exercise the rights
which the constitution confers upon them;
to maintain the great fundamental prin-
ciple of majority rule, or, through defer
ence 10 senatorial courtesy" and to an
abuse of parliamentary usage, to allow the
minority to ride rough-shod over every
sense of right. justice and constitutional
obligation. The majority desire to en-
force the constitution. The minority de-
sire to perpetuate their violations of it and
TO continue the Acknowledgement of eight
million citizens. There should be no wav-
ering. Let the majority rule and the right
preyaili