The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-10
AN ELECTION BILL PLEA.
Relden Wants the Republican Papers
to Stir Up the Country.

Eelden Wants the Republican Papers
to Stir Up the Country.
WASHINGTON, July 9.-Representative
Belden of New York. chairman of the re-
publican congressional committee, has
issued the following address to the repub-
lican editors of the country:
The Republican party, in its several national
platforms has pledged the country as one of its
fundamental planks that 1t would see to the
execution of the provision Of the constitution
which guarantees to every elector in federal
elections the right 10 deposit his ballot for the
candidate of his choice aud have it counted.
That pledge, based on justice, involves merely
the exercise of an unquestionable constitutional
right Of every American citizen. Nevertheless
the gravest abuses in a large section of our
country have deprived vast masses OF their
lawful franchise have by fraudulent agencies
imposed an unlawful representation in the
national House OF Representatives and have
thus practically subverted the constitution in
some OF its most important and valuable pro-
visions. Strict enforcement of this inalienable
right is demanded as a solemn duty.
NEGRO SUPREMACY NOT INVOLVED.
No question of negro supr macy, no usurpa-
tion of federal power is involved in this issue.
The national elections bill which recently passed
the House deals only with national elections.
1t does not NEEDLE directly or indirectly with
state elections, state officers or state organiza-
tions. The states are very properly left to
work out their own destiny through their own
agencies. Why then, should the bill not be-
come lawi AS declared by Hon. William
Mckinley in his recent speech in the House,
the passage of the federal election bill is the
supreme duty of the hour. Its passage cannot
reasonably be longer delayed. The House,
faithful and active in party pledges, Jealous in
the performance of its great public trust, and
undaunted by the diabolic threats and anath-
emas of the Democratic party, has faithfully
performed its duty by passing the federal cleo
tions bill.
ALL THAT REMAINS.
Now it only remains for the republicans in the
Senate to emulate the House and permit the
President by his signature. to ratify and reg
lister the will of the nation. Will the Senate
perform this obligation2 The committee is in
possession Of information showing a concen-
trated effort on the part of the Democratic
party to change the trend of public
thought by poisoning the minds of the
people, to the end that sentiment may be man
ufactured that would deter congress from pass
ing the national election law at this session. IL
is believed that favorable expression at this
iuncture from the republican press all along the
line would be as forcible as timely, and would
exert a wholesome influence and inspire legis-
lators to the carrying out OF the party's pledge.
The House has performed its part of the
work to which the party was pledged Will you
not do your duty 10 urging that the Senate
should respond promptly by the passage of the
measure which the House deems essential, abb
solutely essential, to purity Of elections of its
own members. J. J. BELDEN.