The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-18
TCrspAY. MARCH. Is, 1870.
IoDeE ELECTION LAW.

In accordance with his intention an
nouuccd some time since, Mr. Lodge, of
Massachusetts, on Saturday introduced in
the House a bill looking 10 the future rcgu-
Iaton Of the election Of Representatives in
Congress. This bin is likely 20 attract the
closest attention, as It's provisions embrace
substantially the whole ground sought TO De
covered by the Republican party IN the
measure which they will finally adopt.
In its general features. 10 is less objection.
able than the sherman bin. as it is based on
che Australian system Of voting which has
Dee n found everywhere 20 Doe highly condu-
tive 20 fair elections. Under The terms Of
the Lodge bin, the inspectors Of election are
90 be appointed ty the district Iudges. on
theoiaer hand. 10 provided 1.-THE sherman
bill that these inspectors shall receive their
commissions from the President, and shall
remain i'm Office at least six years. Ii viii
BE- seen from this that there is better pros
peci that comparatively unbiased inspoc-
tors wall De- selected under the terms Of the
Lodge bin than under those Of the sherman,
although the district judges have not been
remarkable IA body for their superiority
90 partizan motives. Nevertheless they
can be confidently expected 20 act with less
prejudice and Partially than Republican
Presidents placed directly under the inilu-
enco Of Republican leaders and Republican
maiorities in Congress.
The real object Of the Lodge bin is dis
closed in the provision that it shall not 20
into effect in any Congressional district ex-
ccpt upon the application of five hundred
voters. and then only for the time Of the
special election named. 10 is Justly anti
cipated uy the Trainer Of the bin that there
will always be a sufficient number of Repub-
Iicans i'm every Congressional district of the
Southern states, 20 make this application.
which would put the bin in operation from
one end of the South 10 another, at every ma
rional election. ON the other hand, 10 is not
probable that the relation between the
parties in the North. VIII, in many Congress
sional districts. Doe such as 90 lead the re-
qnired number 0fyoters representing either
side. 90 seek the intervention Of the Federal
law i'm this direction. The public scnti-
ment Of Northern communities, will, ire
spcctiye Of party, very probably strongly
condemn any steps taken TO secure this in-
reference. as an insult 10 the people Of
these communities. which would certainly
damages the prospects Of the party repre-
scented by the applicants.
At the south, a few unscrupulous and
scheming Republican white voters, can
ALWAYS find sufficient number Of negro
voters, even in one locality, who can read
aud write, 20 sign the application provided
for in the law. which would precipitate The
Federal machinery upon the whole Con
crcssional district in which they were domi-
clcd. The white voters, directing the black
with as much case as il they were so many
dumb cattle, would De Indifferent TO the con-
demnation Of the respectable citizens OF the
district. as it will be most likely that they
were already under the ban of public opin-
nion.on account OF their character in all the
relations of life.
Now that The Republican party il rapidly
acquiring the desired majority in the House
il will not De long before the various cleo
ton bills now ON the calendar will be taken
up and pressed TO "a conclusion. The
measure that will finally pass will be made
zap Of special features drawn from All the
bills that will be proposed, but it may De-
confidently relied ON, however that iho
Lodge provision, that that the law shall
only 60 into operation on special applica-
ton. will be- found in whatever measure is
adnniel in the end.