Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-07-10
THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILL.
MAI. MCKINLEY's APPEAL IN CONCLUD-
ING THE DEBATE.

MAI. MCKINLEY'S APPEAL IN C0NCLUD-
ING THE DEBATE.
Congressional Record.
This bill may not be, in all its prOvis
ions, what l would like to have it, but it
is a bill looking to an honest representa-
tion on the floor of the American House
of Representatives and to honest voting
and the fair counting of votes in every
part and section of the American Repub-
tic. Applause on the Republican side.
That is all of the bill, and no honest man
can object to it, and no lover of fair play
can afford to oppose it.
All, but they say this measure is harsh
This measure will rest heavily upon dis
tricts and upon States which violate the
laws and the Constitution of our common
country. Let every citizen of this Re-
public vote and then see to it that his
vote is counted as it is cast and returned
as counted, and you never need invoke
any of the provisions of the bill or sub
ject yourselves to what you term harsh
provisions. Applause on the Republic
an side.
Au,UUG YOU Say UlldJ III SoAp6IlS1N6,ludI
it will cost S10,0O0O00, to be taken out of
thepublic treasury. That assumes that the
$50 districts of this country will invoke
not a man on this floor who does not
know that not hundred districts in the
United States will invoke its operation
when it goes into effect. 1t will not be
required even in that number.
And let me remind gentlemen on the
other side of this chamber, as well as my
friends on this side of the chamber, that
you will diminish the cost of the admin
istration of this bill in the ratio that you
diminish fraudulent voting, false count
ing, stuffing of ballot-boXes, and sup
pressing the voice of the Republicans in
the South. Applause on the Republican
sidel 1t will cost nothing if it is not
used, and it will not be used if there is no
need for it. Honest elections will make
the law unnecessary; dishonest ones
should be stopped by the strong arm of
the law.
My friend from Mississippi (Mr. Allen)
quotes from Gen. Grant. Let me quote
from an utterance of his. made in speak
ing of the condition of affairs in MiSsis-
sippi, the gentleman'S own State. Said
Grant:
GLOW long these things are to continue
or what is to be the final remedy the great
Ruler of the Universe only knows, but l
have an abiding faith that the remedy
will come, and come speedily, and earn
estIy hope it will come peacefully"
Let me quote from him another utter
ance made two years before his death.
Speaking of this very question of the suf
frage he said it would never be settled
70,
those who do count, shall cast one ballot
and have that ballot counted precisely as
he cast it. Applause on the Republican
side.
Now, l want to say here to-day, for 1
have but few moments, that this ques-
ton will not rest until justice is done,
and the consciences of the American
people will not be permitted to slumber
until this great constitutional right, the
equality of opportunity, freedom of po-
litical action and political thought, shall
be not the mere cold formalities of con-
stitutional enactment as now, but liv-
ing birthright which the poorest and the
humblest, white or black, native born or
naturaliZed citizen, may confidently en-
Joy, and which the richest and the most
powerful dare not deny. Prolonged ap-
plause Oh the Republican side.
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the
House, remember that God puts no ma
tion in supreme place which will not do
supreme duty. Applause on the Repub-
lican side. God keeps no nation in SUI
preme place which will not perform the
supreme duty of the hour renewed ap-
plausel, and He will not long prosper that
nation which will not protect and defend
its weakest citizens. 1t is our supreme
duty to enforce the Constitution and
laws of the United States "and dare to be
strong for the weak" Gentlemen on the
other side, l appeal to you to obey the
laws and Constitution; obey them as we
obey and observe them; for | tell you the
people of the North will not continue to
permit two votes in the South to count
as much as five votes in the North. PRO
longed applause on the Republican side.
Malcolm Lambkin, young man living
near Bloomington, Ind, died Friday, of
hydrophobia.