The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-02
cleveland Plain Dealer
hrofSement eft The Ballot.

Although framed to permit espionage of the |
ballot and coercion of the elector, the ultimate
scheme of the federal elections bill is compre-
hended in the provision that the certificate OF
the board of canvassers is prima facie evidence
of election and the name of the person SO re-
turned must be placed on the roll OF the mouse
of representatives The boards OF canVassers
are to be appointed by the party in power.
which means that they will be partisan boards
and will make their returns according to the
practice of their party. the case of the impostors
from Montana certified as United States sena-
tors being an instance. The house is organized
nv The representatives whose names are upon
the roll on the opening day. In cases where
representatives election is certified by state
board and contested the clerk may not enrol-
him but under the progressed statute ne must
enroll the representative whose election is GER
tilted by the federal board of canvassers whether
there is a contest or not. The clerk is Re-
publican and an expert in enrolling Republican
houses. The house once organized by the ne
publicans. the process of seating and unseatlng g
practiced in the present congress Will DO the
rest, producing any required Republican ma
jority. The bill Is in pursuance of the policy
boldly announced at Pittsburg by Speaker Reed
when he said: LET us cut loose from the state
elections do our own registrat' on, our own
counting and our own certiication.'
Democratic members of the house OF repre-
sentatives from northern districts have issued
an address to the people sounding the alarm
and calling for speedy protests by public meet
ings or otherwise against the passage of the
Lodge .Rowell- Davenport bill. which is, as the
address states, Z" a most serious menance TO the
very life of the republic" and makes the issue
whether political party shall elect itself and
keep In power by paid agents who are TO con-
al, kssNv,5 in oil IN
The address. which follows. should be read
and pondered By every voter in the United
States.
The undersigned, representing in the con gres:
of the United States constituencies in states
north of the Ohio and Potomac rivers, feel I
their duty to their fellow citizens to briefly cal
their attenti IN to the extraordinary, dan gerou
and revolutionary measure now proposed Dl
the leaders of the party in power for passage IL
Under q doubtful construction OF the conoti
tution this bill proposes to substantially tax
from the states ana local of ar
balloted for and hand the same over 70 nite' @
States judges. appointed +ln TO once ior me- an
os n the hover claim ed resides in the constitu
tion. which we deny. the republ has Ron
throo oh the difficulties of the formative perloo
made heroic struggle against dissolution, til
umphed and successfully re-adJusted ltsell I
changed conditions without the eaerclse serc Sc.
hundred years and over. Mr. Jefferson ana tn
rathers of the republic would nave ccnsldefe
such a proposition as TINS as dangerous as d
open attempt at centrallZatloh. i.
This bill Is purely partisan measure, lhIeilue
primarily to control the elections ior congres
and presidential electors in all the states; an
TO intimidate, hound, obstruct and hara,s .
political prosecutions IN unlTlenuiy manu- nan1s IN -
sdverse majorities in the cities of the north 1
this end it gives into the controi OF tne cnlt
supervisor of elections BODY OF Ie9erai pSa pniis
snies who are authorized to make ooInlclllar
Visits superintend the NATURALIZATION OF OF
foreigh born citizens, place the cltlzeh unut
strict scrutiny OF these trusty and unprinclple
Federal detectives four days Doth preceoing an
foIIow ing an election and in every way supJet
him to the power and control o! palu par!
merceuaries of the government IN way
utier variance with republican lnstltuIiohs au
the great principle Oh American II reeuoiA-
rule. e :,o,;ol ..o,a-
meut millions of dollars will be taXeu from "
people and the judiciary OF tne OnLteu o. HSaG :,
nrOslituted to the basest parl1sanship IN u
management of elections. And THESE lnVasio ,
of the liberties of our people Will DC iett u L
safety to partisan jurieS IN the Ieoerai coui
composed entirely of the men Oh the parry
IThe constitutional objections to the bill
set rth at length and the report concluues
followsl 4to rioh+s q,
liberties of the people and to the pr!nclpie
local self government involved IN tnls pili
respectfully appeal to American 1reemen, WI
out regard to party, TO enter tlLneIy paSoesyt :,
xvay of public meeting or otherwise against u
consolidation of government the destrucIloh
por5ular rights and the very iouhuaVion
American liberty. for we lnduise No 40, II nie
rhetorical flourish when we solemniy anrn
oar LOYALTY as citizens and on our honor as re
resen tatiyes that this vicious aad unpattlo
measure is most serious p" enahce 70 slle sI
life of the republic The issue IS Snai q p POI
zeal marty elect itself and keep IN power
paid agents who are to control Inc poi'n
elections in ali the statesf