The sun., 1890-06-26
REVOLUTIONARY MEASURE.
1trNoRTTY REPORT ON THE Proposed
Federal ELECTION LAW.

l
|
| IL Interferea with the Powers Exeiusively
| Lodged with the States-Hnordinate aud
| Dangerous Powers OF SuPervisors-t'
VIII Cost slO.OOO.ooO for One Election
WARRINGTON, June 25.-Representative G. II,
Buckalew OF Pennsylvania OF the Committee
ON the Election OF President and Vice Presi-
dent and Representatives In Congress has. on
behalf OF the Democrat members OF the COM
mlttee, prepared a minority report In opposl-
tIon TO the Federal Election bill. The report
presents at length tho objections OF the mi
nority to the bill which in their opinion de-
mand consideration and debate Among these
are the following:
1t subjects State elections for State officers
in q great measure to Federal interference and
control. Although 1t professodly relates to
elections Of members OF Congress only, It does
practically and In fact relate to and onerate
upon the election OF State aud local officers OF
various grades who are chosen at the same
time with members OF Congress.
1t interferes with and assumes to dominate
State authority as to the manner OF choosing
power lodged eT clusiyely with the states.
elections, the inevitable tendency and effect OF
which will be to produce confusion and col:
disputed returns Tor Representatives. in Con:
Rress
gresslonal elections. because reasonable, and
tions are provided for by State laws.
Treasury. The number Of election precincts
In the United States exceeds 10000. and the
cationtthrouehout The country % &c can T be ft islriy
estimated at $l0.O00,OOO for one election. II Is
nos no %s@nitlcIent sum answer upon this point to say
Congress districts OF the country at the first
Presidential election. for the bill is OF pniver-
invited to come forward as applicants for pub
lic empoyment and public money will soon he
IN hs bs
t5hS 5 great eIestiOn oi 1897 and for those which
Tho report makes particular objection to the
change made by the bill in tho number Of pre-
spection acts there were to be two Tor each
election precinct and were divided between
poicf alp narties m 5 BY nSrSSaspG ga M the number to
dictlon and authority contained In this bill
party management and control
The powers OF the district Supervisors. says
dangerous What auaIifcations or fitness viii
What check viii there be upon the misuse Of
their powers? They are not chosen by the peo-
pie and are not directly responsible to them.
FOR the Rrossest disregard or violation OF State
BILE to punishment In state courts or by state
magistrates, and against their punishment in
Federal courts admirable provisions is made
by this bill. The jures that shall try them,
whether In district or circuit courts. are to be
packed not 10 convict but to aoquit them. To
these comparatively irresponsible officials the
power is given to make decisive returns to the
canvassing Board OF the districts provided for
by the bill
The report contends that when the obscurity
Of the thirty eighth section Of the bill shall be
penetrated and the former acts referred to in
1t shall be examined 1t will appear to be q rad
ical change in the authority for selecting
jurors IN United States courts. The bill abol-
ishes the office OF Jury Commissioner and
commits the selection OF jurors wholly to the
clerks Of the courts. and these clerks. from the
mode OF their appointment, are almost all OF
one political party. 1t will be quite possible
that the jurymen summoned will agree pollti-
cally with the clerks who select them
The report also makes strong objection to the
turns of elections made by the district Board
OF Canvassers to the Clerk Of the House. as
primR facie evidence Of election results. 1t
says: We are prepared to say that this bill is
unconstitutional, because the States have not
failed to pass laws for the representation Of
their people In Congress. nor made laws hos
tile to such representation and to the Govern
mont OF the United States in connection there
with. On the contrary. the legislation upon
this subject by the States has been apparently
ENACTED In good faith to this Government and
to their own people,.