The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-01
THE PERIL OF TIE HOUR.
NEW YoRK'S WARNING TO THE RE-
PUBLICAN USURPERS.

Point Ont tho DanEers-Tbe Shameful
Record OF tho IIunbuE Supervisor sys-
tenn Urdsr Dnvenport's Administration.
The menace 10 American institutions and to
The life of tho republic itself which is involved
In tho threatened passage OF the Lodge Elec-
zion bill has thoroughly aroused every pub
lic.sririted and far-soeing New Yorker The
situation has for him peculiar ex-
nsporation growing out OF New Yorks
experience with some OF the dangerous
features OF the present Federal election law,
which it is proposed to make OF universal APP
plication, with more oppressive features added.
With an ever-present memory OF tho partisan
abuses under tho present system as admins
tered In this city during tho past eighteen
years by John /. Davenport. New York political
leaders and public spirited citizens discuss
the situation with all the vigor of e-bellum
days. The peril In tho eyes OF every man who
made public yesterday his views on the sub
ject is greater than any which has threatened
tho country since tho war. Hero are a few
words from such well-known men rs happened
to be in their offices yesterday when reporter
for THE Sun called:
Frederic r. Coudert said: believe this Is
the rock on which tho Republican party will
split There are wise men in that party. and
they have not boon in accord with the party
measures for several years. They have told
me so. many OF Thorn. 1t is not that they love
the Republican party more. bu, that they love
tho Democratic party less. Tho passage Of
this bill would lead TO tho realization of the
great danger which Washington pointed out
in his farewell address. l do not mean that
men are any worse now than they used to be,
that they will 70 to such extremities Of rarti-
sRnship. but the evil was in the germ when the
warning was given. II New York had but
100000 people it would not show itself in such
form, but there are 100000 offices in the coun-
try now to furnish tho temptation to resort to
INSCRIPTIONS measures to perpetuate party
supremacy. l cannot help contrasting this
measure with tho citizens movement started
by those good clergymen who have the idea
that New York is to BIO ruled without politics.
Then look at this bill, which some men at
Washington will support because they are SO
carried away by party spirit Candidly. never
knew party spirit to so to such an extremity.
have no doubt that tho passage OF the bill
will elect tho next Democratic national ticket"
District Attorney Fellows said: This bill is
a most revolutionary measure. II Congress
can PASS such bill it can wipe out State lines.
1t can take control of our state judiciary sys-
tenn as this does OF our electoral system. be-
lieve the passage OF that bill would lead TO
bloodshed all over the land. II the Democrats
in Congress do not prevent its passage they
will be false to their trust. 1t can be effectu-
ally blocked in the Senate il not in the House.
There Is no previous question rule in the
Senate, and the Democrats there can talk
ys years surs pp9 Gbans1 it
pending providing for cutting short debate, but
action on that resolution can be Gostponed by
"a really Just what Tom Reed declared it TO be
In his Pittsburgh speech. " a bill to give us our
now i Federal u Jndse s or bonrd
OF canvassers can certiy the election OF a Con-
gresham. then the Federal Government can do
anything, and state lines are wiped out. re-
peat, 1t i the most revolutionary measure ever
Bourko Cochran said: AT attempt to SUBJ
vert the sovereignty OF the State Of Louisiana
in 1874 was defeated by holding a public meet
should be met By tho most emphatic protest
within orr power to mako"
this country wiineseHt such tyranny BY am most st
overwhelming revolt. i don't care how diff
cult this bill makes il for man to vote: the
will be 70 drive these robbers out. i mean
those robbers OF our greatest safeguard, a free
every word Of THE SuN's ringing warning this
morning. The very foundations OF our insti-
tutlons are undermined by such an attack
npon local ard state rights as this bill makes
II is pretended that the purpose OF tho meas.
pre il to purify eIectI9ns. Nobody Is deceived
give tho Republican Administration the con-
troi OF tho election machinery, Of the, country,
able it to continue its ROVER, THE SUN knows
what the SUPERVISE system has done for. the
ought TO DO made public again. for they mako
the whole conspiracy clear Tammany Hall
will be heard from at Wednesday nights meet
Comptroller Myers said: ut is u most out
rageous measure, But It is on,a par, with the
ZION has adopted. 1t is n blow at New York
and the other Dernqcratic States. Like, tho
creation OF states without people or the West
erll frontier, IL Il 9imnly Ilrt of BClemD TO
strengthen III" Republican party in Congre4s
TuioGs conspiracy to got votes but the con-
s s!l Will reap prompt and unexpected
II, Il. Bcekman. ESQ, said: THE Republican
schemers have taken what they think Is a
fnreWd advantage Of q situation which they
usurp control OF tho entire country. But they
np"ptr9 H rGL9ntIon ana the people Of this
ceedsY wli n9t tolerate IT. hHYe lust sue.
election law in this State. and we don't propose
TO allow any, aliens to Tho Comm onwenlth to
IN line with tho recent Legislation OF the Repub-
iiean party. which has become entirely out OF
srs OF that party are using it simply to pile up
their personal fortunes. anJ tho revenge OF the
people vii he prompt and severe WHOM oppor-
tn" Counrr Democracy County Committee
followed last night IN tho footsteps OF Tam
words: '''00
ca %%ts Thai "" eGH!epn the I'm pending
sNey partisan but also az dangerous attempt under
gulss OF regulating tho election OF members Of Con
E,ssi 70 in'ercr" with and control the election OF
iIelieIhial Glaciers and OF state officers IL is
ssmmtSSnst,tutionnl inasmuch as II Undertakes 10
.unotLe feHsTal ntcflerrnce with matters COniiNd
SAFE AMI the sanction It has r.cetvsd from tho
,n.pun AZ party which has adopted It parry
tI.on ~ ,s N mo win no policy thnt party has praC-
H. VI pIogling legislation intended TO prrprtpAto
;ts ppwei ana Ss{rHndhe IT. leaders 'hou regard
~" htetrsh ." ne people and in contempt Ut III" bat
Snre pot"eth FEDERAL ard state authority Which IL
rAr marty has always tnss'e upon as the essential
HInc're OF our form OF government.
Tho supervisor system which tho Lodge bill
IMPOSES llron the entire country il now con
nhei IN It's operation almost entirely 10 some
~ ,i tne largo citea. In New York il hns had lis
,m0sl thorough test. Tho record OF its opera |
s n"h neFp Is record of outrageous partisan
anywhere lie matched. A month ago THr Sr'H |
maze iha careful investigation Of the records Of |
IWV9 Dennrtment OF Justice and tho Treasury at |
s MnHsn,nGton bearing ppon the operation OF Tho
ffnIerNlsor system throughout tho country |
mere are some OF the results: |
4here have been Just eight convictions OF |
tiMatlons OF the Federal election laws In this |
W VIM II ne lasr ten YEAR. Tine machinery
, ,nog, 10 operate, To convict each man cost
more lhan $4,000. besides the ordinary ey- |
pSussS OF prosecution cOmnarison NJ ba