The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-31
An 0UTSPOkEN TRIBUNE.
Senator Wolcott Tells the Truth
About the Effect Of the
Election Bill.
It Would Accomplish Nothing
Good, But Evil Unceasing
Would Follow.
Senators Teller and Hale Notify Hoar That
Important Legislation Must he
Attended To Soon.

AStCAWCA 4O SVVus
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3O.-Wolcott made an
animated speech against the election bill in
the senate. It was, he said, source of great
regret to him to be called upon 20 differ
with any considerable number of his party
and to decline to take the path the older
leaders pointed out, but nearly one-third
Of the session Was through and daylight
was not yet visible. There were before the
senate measures of vast importance that
would fail for another year at least unless
now acted upon. He mentioned the silver
bill, apportionment, pure food, copyright
and private land court bills. But it was
not only because these measures were clam
oring for recognition that he felt compelled
to oppose the election bill. If the session
were to last indefinitely, and none of these
vital measures pending, he would still vote
against it. The pending bill should not
become law because ittinvolved federal in
reference and espionage at other than
national elections, and such interference
was contrary to the spirit Of American
institutions and an obstacle to the right
and enjoyment of American liberty. The
people of the United States. Wolcott said,
wanted no more civil strife and it would be
impossible to enforce such law against the
united opposition of the white population
Of the southern states. The attempt would
bring back the old days of terrorizing and
the weaker race would be sufferers. There
were other things more important and vital
to the welfare or the nation than that COL
cred citizens of the south should cast bal
lots. Referring to the question put by Eus-
tis to Dolph recently rs to what the people
Of Oregon would do under similar circum-
stances, il Chinese voters were in the ma
jority, Wolcott ssid Dolph's answer seemed
evasive. He (Wolcott) could not speak for
Oregon, but he gave it as his opinion that
in Colorado if such a state of affairs ex-
listed, and the Chinese vote was opposed to
the united and intelligent white vote, the
white vote. in some way and by some
method, would govern. Demo-
cratic applause.] II congress did
not foInent trouble the time would
surely come when the white
voters of the south would be hardly, as
unanimous as now. The signs of the times
pointed to serious differences among them
and when those differences become solitied
the colored voter would be in demand. If
the republicans had every southern member
of the next house they would still be short
of majority. Two years from now, when
the benefioient tariff law has had time to
demonstrate it's wisdom, they would not
need tho assistance of southern republican
representation, which the bill sought to
give.
But there was another and weightier rea-
son why it should be defeated. For quar-
ter of century out from poverty and
despair the south has been reaching forth
In an effert to plant it's foot on the solid
the marv elous growth and Transformation
now taking place in the southern states it
would be unwise and unpatriotio for con-
eress to interfere in the conduct OF its in
ternal affairs. Rejoicing in the prosperity
of every section of the common country, he
(Wolcott) was unwilling to thrust with his
vote on to that people at this time meas
ure which seemed to them but renewal of
the strife and bitterness which was foreign
to the spirit and dangerous to the freedom
of republican institutions. General ap-
plause in the galleries and on the demo-
cratic side.
Teller made vigorous speech. He said
tu0I6 uUU OoCu UU NIt0IupG OH vQ6 part OF
the friends of the election bill to bring it
to vote. Now the senate was to be met
with new rule which was to overthrow q
practice which had been in vogue eighty
four years. In the section of country he
represented there had become fixed notion
that this bill was kept before the senate for
the purpose of stavinQ off much needed
and much demanded financial legislation.
If the senator from Massachusetts, iHoar)
did not wish the bill to stand in tho way OF
legislation he should put the senate in a
position to vote on amendments before he
offered or allowed to be offered q rule
which would cut off debate and
vote for this bill or not depended upon the
condition of the bill whom it came to vote
and he wanted an opportunity to vote for
amendments. He did not believe the peo-
pie of the United States were prepared
for this cloture rule and for one he was pre-
adoption until the senate had an opportu-
nifty to vote upon all amendments. He un-
derstood tho rule was to come mp Tuesday
next. There were more important bills
pending than the election bill. The great
minds Of the country have told MS We were
ers Of New York were saying everything is
lovely. They dare not say otherwise. II
the people could awake to the real condi-
tion there would be danger of financial ruin
to thousands of men absolutely solvent to-
day. If the friends of the election bill
the rule. It was the duty Of the senate to
meet the great question of the day
promptly.
Hale said the time had come whom the
senator from Massachusetts, should find out
what ought to be done. The senate should
not spend weeks moro in the manner in
which it had been spending the past week.
The GREAT 6nancial nnantion wonld not