The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-16
[Harpers Weekly. July 12
The National Election Bill.

1t is generally admitted even by Republi-
,ans. that the Presidents course mas not
strengthened his party But IL Is stili more
evident to every intelligent observer tnae the
course OF the Repubhcan congress mas oeeply
injured the party. The passage OF the pension
bill involves an outlay Of the public money
which is incalculable 1t is surrender TO the
rear OF losing mercenary vote, ana Is delehdeu
under transparently hypocrltlcai pretences.
Inc goou sense Oh tne country measures a6 ehe'r
eAacI Value 1ne protes1ations ny uehiasosues Vi
Vneir pa'rio'io sra'i'uoe' "hiie 'ne 'iue ieeliDs
OF the American volunteer 10 eApresseo py
brave veterans Ike SENATOR ha"ley anu fresl-
ueht Andrews. Inc passage ny inc mouse Vi
the Mckinley Dill, Wnicn, IN the lace Oh sur
plus, raises the average rate OF custom duties
has produced what looks now like serious
breach in the party. Mr.. Blaine's letter and
the reports Oh MS Irank comments upon tne Dill
express not only tne views OF great Dooy Oh
hepuDilcans' Dut OF tne American lntellgenee
wnlcn Is not ciasslhed oy party name
But more dlsturong to the pubic m1nd tnan
either the pension or the tariff policy of the
dominant party is the national election bill.
which, both in itself and in the extraordinary
Limitation of debate upon it, is startling
measure, which. the more 1t is understood, can
not fail to arouse profound public amazement
and distrust. To secure result which cannot
be attained by the enforcement OF any law, the
Republican party proposes to overthrow the
most vital tradition OF the american system OIL
government the local control ofelectlons. The
destruction of that cardinal condition OF our
government would be an evil much more radi-
cal and alarming than the suppression OF the
vote which the measure processes to aim to cor
rect The bill commits the result of Congress
sional elections in any district where few
persons request it to a body large or small of
partisan agents, and to a permanent returning G
board. appointed by central authority, in
| whose honesty and lmpartiallty the PUBIC con-
ndence Will De necessarily much less Inan III
| the present election agencies, whlle the local
contentment and acqulescence IN the result.
which are considerations of vital Importance to
the tranquil working OF any election system
will be wholly wanting. Opposition to this cx-
traordinary measure is not. as Republican
| speakers and the Republican press allege, indi-
cat1ve OF disposition 10 tolerate suppression OF
the colored vote. or the wholesale buying OF
| white voters in blocks OF five. Such opposition
| rests upon the ground that whatever the extent
Of the evil, the remedy proposed is much
greater evil.
The bill changes essentially the present law
providing for national supervisors of election
extending it to point which supersedes al
| together the State control OF Congressional
elections. The State election officers, indeed
are nominally recognized, but they are subor'
fdinated entirely to the United States officers
| The result would be that the election of mem
bers OF Congress in New York. for instance