New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-21

Mr.. LODGES Election bill was a hard nut to
crack for Democrats. II proposed exactly what
they dishonesty pretended TO desire, FAIR, free
and honest elections. 1horcupon one set oil
Democrats objects that it is aimed Al the south
only. though il j., VIGOROUSLY as much needed
in this CITY and across the Hudson and last
rivers as anywhere else. Another S't even
more stupidity. asserts that II Will be dcad
letter at the North because there cannot hc
found 800 voters in any district 10 petition Tor
IFS enforcement. If the Democrats should be
have themselves dcccnty, and pass honest
State laws with a. much zeal ~ they now up
hold Governor Hill in yctOing and Democratic
Legislatures in opposing such laws that miSht
be true As matters stand, 900 voters WOULD
be found 10 petition for the enforcement OF
the Australian system in every congressional
district where Governor Hill. or any other agent
of Democratic fraud, prevents its adoption Try
State authorities.
Another set declares. with eyes sanctmon-
ou,ly rolled up, that this bill will dchasc the
Federal judiciary. Well. if the people must
choose between being robbed OF all their rights
Of self government, and having some OF tho
Judges oycr-tcmptcd into partiSanshlp, they
will unhcStatinglY choose the latter lhcy
have had election officers chosen by Democratic
rings and rascalS long enough. The dcbaSc-
mcnt Of local authorities has gone so lar that
they at any rate need to be relieved. But
there is no ground for fear that Judicial officers,
appointed for life. and clothed with powers
which set them far apart from the rewards. tho
ambitions and strifes Of the ordinary poll
bnuolll1p uOStS
cxpose themselves to impeachment and re-
mova by abuse of their trust. II there Is any
body of men in the country who can be trusted
TO seek strict justice rather than partisan adj
vantage, it is to be found on the bench, and
this nav be said with truth OF many Judges
who are Democrats. as of others who are Re
publicans For it should be remembered that
the body Of judges is not composed OF men OF
one party only. nor was it when President
Cleveland began TO appoint as many OF his own
partsans as he had opportunity. lie ana not
always select men of the highest judicial tenn
per or faculty. But every RcpublIcan would
rather ntrust responsibility for elections to n
Democratic Judge than to Governor Hill or
his accustomed instruments.
Yet another set of Democrats angrily de-
clare that they will not trust the Federal
Judges, for some of them have made partisan
decisions. 1t happens to be the question at
present what Republicans are willing to do.
Republicans will not trust the scoundrels who
have been controlling elections in Albany and
Troy, in Jersey City and Camden, in Cincn-
natl and Columbus, in Indianapolis and Chi
cago, and in other places where Democratic
election swindlers have been exposed and
either convicted or saved from conviction and
punishment Iy the united defence of their
party. The Republicans have power to choose.
They know what rascalites have been per-
petrated for years past, and they propose to
stop them. II is not the intention OF Rcpub-