Huntsville gazette., 1890-12-06


American bank, with a view to facilitating
money exchange between the states repre-
sented in that conference. Such an institu-
ton would greatly promote the trade we are
seeking to develop. renew the recommen-
dation that a careful and well guarded char.
ter be granted.
RELIEF FOR THE SUPREME COURT.
The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court
has, after many years OF discussion, reached
a position when final action is easily attain
able, and it is hoped that any differences of
opinion may be so harmoniZed as to save the
essential features of this very important
measure. In this connection earnestly re-
new my recommendation that the salaries OF
the Judges of the United States District
courts be so readjusted that none of them
shall receive less than 5000 per annum.
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
The enactment of a National bankrupt law
1still regard as very desirable. The Constitu-
tion having given TO Congress jurisdiction OF
this subject, it should be exercised and uni
form rules provided for the administration of
insolvent debtors. The inconveniences re-
sulting from the occasional and temporary
exercise of this power by Congress, and from
the conflicting State codes of insolvency
which come into force intermediately should
be removed by the enactment of a simple, in
expensive and permanent National bankrupt
law.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH SCHEME.
The use of the telegraph by the Post Office
Department as means for the rapid trans
mission OF written COMMUNICATIONS is, De-
lieye, upon proper terms, quite desirable.
The Government does not own or operate
the railroads, and it should not, think, own
or operate telegraph lines. 1t does, how
for the Government to contract with
the telegraph companies, as it does
with the railroad companies to carry at
specified rates such communications
as the senders may designate for this method
of transmission. / recommend that such
legislation be enacted as viii enable the
pertinent the advantages of such use of
the telegraph.
ELECTION LAWS.
If any intelligent and loyal company OF
American citizens were required to catalogue
the essential humane conditions of National
life, | do not doubt that with absolute unanim-
ity they would begin with free and honest
elections. And it is gratifying to know gen.
orally there is a growing and non partisan
demand for better election laws. But against
this sign OF hope and progress must be set
the depressing and undeniable fact that elec-
tion laws and methods are sometimes cum
Mingly contrived to secure minority control,
while violence completes the shortcomings
of fraud.
In my last annual message suggested that
the development of the existing law, provid
ing Federal supervision of Congressional
elections, offered an effective method of re
forming these abuses. The need OF such law
has manifested itself in many parts of the
country, and its wholesome restraints and
penalties will be useful in all. The constitu-
tionality of such legislation has been affirmed
by the Supreme Court. Its probable effect
iveness is evidenced by the character of the
opposition that is made to it. 1t has been
denounced as if it were new exercise OF
Federal power and an invasion of the rights
Of the States: Nothing could be further from
the truth Congress has already liked the
time for the election of members of Con-
gress. 1t has declared that votes for mem
bers of Congress must be written or printed
ballots. 1t has provided for the appoint
the Courts certain
and upon the petition of a certain number of
citizens Of elsrtifn supervisors, and made IL
their duty TO supervise the registration or
voters conducted by the state officers; to
challenge persons offering to register; to
personally inspect and scrutinize the
to the lists for the purpose of identi-
fication and the prevention of frauds; to at
tend at elections and remain with the boxes
till the ballots are counted; to attach to the
registry lists and election returns any state.
ment touching the accuracy and fairness OF
the registry and election, and to
take and transmit to the clerk OF
the House of Representatives any evil
dencc of fraudulent practices which may
be presented to them. The same law
provides for the appointment of Deputy
United States marshals to attend at the polls,
support the supervisors in the discharge or
their duties and to arrest persons violating
the election laws. The provisions OF this
familiar title of the revised statutes have been
put into exercise by both the great political
parties, and in the North as well as in the
South, by the filing with the court OF the
petitions required by law.
The present law stops just little
short of effectiveness, for it surrenders to
the local authorities all control over the
certification which establishes the Rrima
face right to seat in the House
of Representatives. This defect should
be cured. Equality of representation
and the purity of the electors must be main
tanned, or every thing that is valuable In our
system of Government is lost The qualifica-
tions of an elector must be sought in the
law, not in the opinions, prejudces, or fears
of any class, however, powerful. Ihe
path of the elector to the ballot
box must be free from the ambush of fear and
the anticipation of fraud; the count so true
that none shall gainsay it. Such law should
be absolutely non partisan and impartial.
1t should give the advantage to honesty ana
the control to majorites. Surely there -
nothing sectional about this creed, and IL it
shall happen that the penalties of laws in
tended to enforce these rights fall here ana
not there, it is not because the law is sectional
but because, happily, crime is local and not
universal. Nor should it be forgotten that
every law, whether relating to elections
or to any other subject, whether
enacted by the state or By the Ma
ton, has force behind it. The courts,
the marshal or constable, the posse
comitatus, the prison, are all and always
behind the law. One can not be justly
charged with unfriendliness to any section
or class who seek only to restrain violations
of law and of personal right. No community
viii find lawlessness profitable. No commu-
Dlty can aHOrU 10 nave IL KNOWN tldt tio
officers who are charged with the pres
ervation of the public peace ana
the restraint of the criminal classes
are themselves product of fraud or
violence. The magistrate is then without
respect and the law without sanction. The
floods of lawlessness can not be leveed and
made to flow in one channel. The killing OF
a United States marshal carrying writ OF
arrest for an election offense is full or
prompting and suggestion to men who
are pursued by city marshal Tor
crime against life or property.
But it is said that this legislation Will revive
race animosities, and some have even sug-
gested that when the peaceful methods OF
fraud are made impossible that they may be
supplanted by intimidation and violence. II
the proposed law gives to any qualified
elector by a hairs weight more than
his equal influence, or detracts by so
much from any other qualified elect
or, il is fatally impeached. BIT
if The law is equal and the animosities it is to
evoke grow out of the fact that some electors
have been accustomed to exercise the fran
chise for others as well as for themselves,
then these animosites ought not to be
confessed without shame and can not
be given any weight in the discussion
without dishonor. No choice isleft to me but
to enforce with vigor all laws intended TO
secure to the citizen his constitutional
rights and to recommend that the inade-
quacies of such laws be promptly remedied.
APPROPRIATION BILLS.
The preparation of the general appropria-
ton bills should be conducted with the great
est care and the closest scrutiny of expendi-
lures. Appropriations should be adequate
A1- r.f+ ~ bat ftze.