Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-02

and progress must be set the depressing
and undeniahls TACT that eiection.laws and
methods are sometimes Cunningly con-
triyed 10 secure minority control, while
violence completes tho SHORTCOMINGS u
frauds.
FEDERAL SUPERVISION.
In nv last annual message suggested
that the development o. the existing law
providing a Federal supervision 81 con.
gressional elections offered an effective
method OF reforming these abuses. Tho
need OF such a law has manifested Itself ia
many parts Of the country and ~ whole
some restraints and penaltieg viii Do use-
full in all. The cOnsti'uuOualtv Of such
legislation has been affirmed bv the Sn.
preme Court. rs probable effectiveness .
evidenced by the character q the OUp0si-
ton that 10 mado 10 IT, II has been de-
nounccd as If Il were new exercise
of Federal power and an invasion u tho
rights Of tho States. Nothing could 10
further from The truth. Congress has al
ready fixed tho time for the election ~
members Of Congress: 20 has declared that
votes for members ~ Congress must Dee hv
written or printed ballot. II has provided
for the appointment. ty the circuit c.uffs
in certain cases and upon the petition of
certain number OF citizens. ~ election sl-
poryisors. and made 10 their duty TO supar-
wise the registration OF voters conducted
bv the State officers. % challenge per-
sons Offering to register, % person.
ally inspect AMI scrgtiuiZo The ro-
gistry-lists, and 90 afiK their names %
the lists for the purpose Of Identification
and the prevention Ot frauds. tO attend 10
elections and remain with The boxes til
the votes are al cast and counted. e. o.
tach 20 the registry FISTS and election ro-
turns any statement touching the accuracy
and fairness Of the registry and election.
and to take and transmit to the clerk of the
House Of Representative amy evidence 0t
fraudulent process which may represented
10 thom.
The same law pr0vi les for the appoint
meni OF deputy United States marslals t0
attend 90 the polls 20 support Tho super.
visors IN the discharge of tlcir duties aud
20 arrest persons violating thr election
laws. The provisions OF Tins familiar tifIe
Of the Revised Statutes have been.put into
exercise by both the great political parties,
and m the North as well as m the South hy
the filing with the court OF the petition re-
quired by the law.
II Is not therefore. n qucstiou whether we
shall layea Federal elcctlOuHw. for we now
have one. aud have had Tor nearly twenty
wears but whether We shall llvc au elee-
OF effectiveness. for 10 surIoud.r to The
local auth0rties an control over the GER
thcatlOn which establishes prDf0 f7rf
right 70 q seat in the House of ioprasen-
tat.yes. This defect should be cUr.i. The
equality Of representation and thef-ifvof
the electors must be- maintained U- tho
very thing that is valuable in orr Ystcn
Of government is lost. The qualifications
of an elector must be- sought Do tae law
not IN the opinions, preludicas, or fears ~
any class, however powerful lhe pam ~
the elect0r % the halloi-hox must Bee fee
from the ambush of fear and tle enrce-
meuts Of fraud; the count SD true and
open that none shall gainny ~ such o
law should be absolutely nou-plrtielu aad
impartial IL should give the advantage
to honesty and the control to the
maioritIes. Surely there s nothing
sectional about this creed. and N DO
shall happen that che penalties ~ tie
laws intended o. enforce these rights
fall here and lot there. n is nor
because the law BE- sectional. but becau'o
/ happily the crime ls local nad uut uui-
versal. Nor should b. be forgotten that
every law. whether relating to elections OF
10 any other subject. whether enacted hY
the State OF by tho nation. has i0Ue be-
hind it. Tie courts, the marshal of cone
stable. the posse CDWflrig, Zee PRISON are
all aud always behind tho law. One cane
| not be Justly charged with unfrenl.nes-
10 any section or class who seesa only to
| restrain the violation ~ iaw and ol p'r-
sonal right. No community VIII End Law
| le.sness profitable No community can
ahOrd 20 have 10 known that the officers
/ who are charged with the preservation
| of the public peace and the restraint
| Of the criminal classes are tneih-
| selves the product Ot fraud ar NO
/ leuco. The magistrate is then without
respect aud the law without sanction.
The floods ot llWlc-eues5 cannot hc lcleea
and made On run 100 ono channel. iho
/ killing 81 "A United States marshal carry
/ inga writ of arrest for an election offence
/ j. full OF prompting aud suggestion g men
/ who are pursued ay city marshal for
] crime against life 0rUrOperty.
/ But 1t is said that this legislation viii re-
| vive animosities and some have even sug-
gested that when Che peaceful methods OF
| fraud are made impossible they may be
/ supplanted by intimidation aud violence :
Iii tho proposed law gives Co. any qualiLei
elector by q hair weight moro than his
equal influence or de.rlcts bT SD niue d
from any other qualified e.ector % Is fatal.
" impeached. Butt the law is equal anu
the animOsitle~ DO Is 90 evoke grow out OK
| the fact that some electors have been ac-
customed 10 exercise the franchise Tor
Others as well as Tor themselves then these
ought not % Doe confessed without shame
and cannot bc given any eight I'D TIE DIS.
cussiou without dIshouur. No choice :.
lett to me but o. enforce with Ygof an
laws intended o. secure 90 tho citizen his
constitutional rights. aud 90 recommend
that the iuldelulcies Ol auch laws %
promptly remedied.
= II 10 promote with zeal and ready In
. terest every project for tine development
OF It's material interests. lts rivers, haf-
b0rs. mines. and factories, and the inteili-
+ rence. peace. and security. under the law
Of its communities aud its homes, ~ not
accepted as sufficient evidence OF triendll-
ness ID ANY State or section, cannot fAA1
connimnce no election practices that not
| only disturb local results, but rob the
electors Of other States and sectiOus a
their most priceless political right.
The preparation ~ the general appro-
prlaEon bills should be- adequate 90 the
needs Of the public service, but they
| should be absolutely free from iigalliy.
| venture o. again remind You that The
brief time remaining for tlo consideration
of the important legislation now nw nting
| your attention Offers no margin TOT waste.
If the present duty is DISCHARGED WITH dlii.
gence. fidelity. and courage the work ~
the Fifty-fr,t Congress may be- confidently
submitted % the c0nsi1erato luignent u
the people. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
! EyFcfrIvE nfA.rIls. brscmDe ], loiJ.