Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-26
SATURDAY. APRIL 2G, 1890.
The Hoar Bill.

The HoAR bill 70 regulate congressional
elections in the southern States was pre-
rented 10 the Senate by and with the con-
sent of all the Republicans On the commit
tee which reported it, though some or al
of the Republican members reserved the
right TO offer amendmentsin the Senate. On
The other hand, the Democrats on that com
nittee were unanimously opposed 10 re-
portine the HoAR bill. For the information
ofour readers we copy from the Washington
Post the following statement of the provi-
sions Of the bill:
at provides that the chief supervisors
of elections now in office, their successors
and such chief supervisors as may hereafter
be appointed, shall be charged In their re-
spective judicial districts, both IN person
and through the supervisors OF electloh
who mas be appointed hereafter, with the
supervision of congressional electlons'
with tho enforcement Of the national cleo,
tion-laws, and with the prevention OF iraud
and irregularities in naturalization. Mneh-
ever in any city having 10000 inhabitants
or upwards, or in any congressional DIS
tr,ct not in such city. 100 or more quail
fed voters shall petition the Chez SUI
pervisor alleging that there Is danger
that unless the election Is guarded II wiz
not be far and free. the Chief supervisor
shall forthwith forward the petition 10 the
United States Circuit Judge for the district
Thereupon it shall be the duty OF the Judge
TO open court for the purpose OF transact
ing all business pertaining TO registration
or election matters as may bv any United
States law there be transacted.
Chief supervisors Of election are TO be
appointed by the Court from among the
eircuit court commissioners, are TO hold
Office during good behavior, and are TO be
compensated by means of fees. In cities
of SOC. 900 inhabitants or upwards deputy
chief supervisor may be appointed. and
also chief clerk.
When supervision Of an entire congress
sional district shall be petitiOned for the
fact shall be published by the Chief super
visor in at least two papers IN the district
thereupon ON the day of election the
State or local election officers IN each cleo
ton district shall present to the super
yisors of elections in Their districts the
statements heretofore required 10 be made.
The supervisors shall compare these re-
turns with their own canvass. IL they
find them to be correct they shall so certify
in duplicate. and if incorrect shall certify
in what particulars, and also state al facts
within their knowledge bearing upon the
fairness of the election.
The bill further provides that whenever
il shall appear by affidavit that errors nave
occurred in the determination OF any board
Of canyassers, the Circuit Court may re-
auire the board to correct such errors OF
show cause why the correction should not
be made: and where the board shall have
been dissolved it may require IT to recon
vene. Every person charged with any
duty with regard TO any election OF mem
bers of Congress who shall wilfully, ano
for the purpose of affecting the election
commit any fraud thereon, shall be liable,
on conviction, to fine not exceediiin p Z
$4,000 or 10 imprisonment not exceeding
I'VE years or both, The same penalty Is
provided for bribery or attempted bribery
of voters.
The Australian ballot system finds nc
place in the provisions of the bill, except
that il is provided that no State shall be-
prevented by the provisions OF the Dil
from printing ballots at public expense OF
providing regulations to screen each voter
from observation ana 10 keep MS V3te So
cret. Wherever an election OF member o.
Congress il held at the same time with the
election of any other officer there shall be
upon each box for which ballots for mem
bers of Congress are cast a suitable labe
or inscription.
II Is pretty certain that the bill will neve
get through the Senate in its present form
The Senate is unlike the House of Repre-
sentatives in that its rules are always IL
force, the Senate being perpetual or con
tinuine body, whereas each House of Re
representatives. is an entirely new body
REED, therefore, forced his new rule
through the House in the absence of rules
How the Republicans in the Senate wal
manage TO overcome this difficulty and imi
tate REEDS example We do not know; bu
Judging from the history of the Republi
can party we are forced to the conclusion
that they will pass the bill by hook or b,
crook" Procedents, rules, laws, and con
stitutions must yield to the necessities o
the Republican party.