The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-10-03
REFORM. NOT FORCE.
Consressman Lodges Position Is Right,
Eyerisstingiy Right.

Everiastingly Right.
ave have passed bill,' said Con-
gresham Henry Cabot Lodge at Bos-
ton, shat follows the Australian ballot
bill, and has no force but the force be-
hind any BILL"
Mr.. Lodges position is right, ever
lastingly right. The Federal election
bill which bears his name is meas
ure designed to secure electoral reform
on a broader scale than that contem-
plated in the law of any State in the
Union.
The force behind the Federal cleo
ton bill is the beak and claw of Nation
al authority-the force that executes
the law Of the land promptly and re-
lentlessly.
The Australian ballot was demanded
in Massach asetts as it has been demand
ed in every Northern State, to correct
the crying evils attending and follow
ing the use of money in elections.
The mind and conscience Of the North.
ern people have been reused to the dam
gers threatening republican institu-
tons in that direction; and laws are
being adopted to render corruption at
the polls i'm possible. But the prevailing
demand for ballotreform does not stop
with the laws of the State. The feeling
aroused has Influenced the Congress of
the Nation; and the electoral reform
movement in the Nation finds ex-
preston in the Federal election bill,
which was originally Introduced by Mr..
Lodge. ny
This measure is adversely criticised
only by the weak, the ignorant and the
vicious. Every good American citizen,
white or black, Northern or Southern,
Republican or Democrat, should be ar
rayed in it's support without reference
to race, sectional or political preiudices.
It is intelligently devised in the interest
OF honest elections: and the shrieks oil
opposition sent up by suffrage stealers
in localities like Albany, Troy, Jersey
City, Cincinnati and Chicago, where
hellish crimes against American insti-
buttons have been committed in the
past, are vociferous arguments which
go a long way to convince quiet citizens
| that Just such law as this Lodge bill
is needed in every large center of popu'
lation at the North.
That the proposed reform is needed
at the South, where Anglo-Saxon su
premacy in local and State matters has
| given the white man in the plantation
States double voice in Congressiona
matters, can not be gainsaid. Sucf
electoral conditions as those prevailing
at the South can not long continues; and
the North will insist on the proposed
reform. The Northern doughfact
may defend . condition of af
fairs by which the South Caro-
lima white man has double the iaflu
ence of New Yorker in tariff and
financial legislation. But the doughfac,
is rarer bird to-day than in ante beUun
days; and, although the extreme Demo
crat, who can see in the monstrous Grim,
of Anglo-Saxon supremacy at the Soutl
only party advantage, may defend 1t
there are thousands of Democrats VIII
deny the double privileges of the Soutl
Carolinian and refuse to sanction ETH
opian disfranchisement Even South
ern Democrats to whom the race ques
ton is an overwhelming issue will We
see that Congressional elections must b
free and fair; that, when the suppress
sion Of the colored. vote gets beyond loca
and State elections, it becomes a matte
of National concern.
The Lodge bill provides for Nationa
control and protection of National cleo
tions. That is the central idea of tn
measure; and the provisions embodyin
it are wise and proper. 1t is lacking i
'force" features; and diligent search vii
fail to reveal the CLEAN of bayone
1t is measure in the interest of electors
reform wherever the National jurisdiC
ton extends; and the Republican Cor
gress and President will enact it int
law at the next session of Congress.
Albany IN. W Journal.