Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-08-02
SPEECH OF
HON. L. {. Nc. COMAS,
INFAvOR OFHONEST ELECTIoNs
THE ISSUES CLEARLY DEFINED.
BOURBON HANDKERCHIEF
TO THE REAR.
or MARYLAND

MI. MCCOMAS. Mr.. speaker, as
listen to the invective OF gentlemen
on the other side, it seems TO me that
they need to be reminded where we
are and what we are.
Ours is a National Government,
covering vast territory and &C, 900.
600 people, Government which
should be a. dear TO every American
as his Stace Government.
State RIGHTS should he respected.
+. D1v 49, .,-.,.s ri the United States
should be equally respected. We are
elected to meet here as the representa-
tlves of the people OF the United
States, and not as delegates from each
State. The fair election OF each of
these Representatives in Congress is
of vital Importance to all the people
of the United States. The Govern
ment of the United States has at
least as much interest in the conduct
of these elections as have the State
governments.
The Constitution gives power to
Congress to regulate the elections
whereon its existence depends, n
power ample, important, fundamen-
tai. A power which i'm the light of a
quarter of n century of experience
with the intimidation and frauds
practiced at such elections may be
necessary to the existence of the Ma
tional Government.
Let us consider in spirit of ma
tional patriotism, freed from local
JealOusies, how Congress may safe
guard these elections from bribery
and corruption, from fraud and VIC
lence. Let us not forget that the in
terest and power of the nation are
paramount in defending Congression-
al elections from intimidation and
corruption. The Supreme Court, in
the eloquent words of Justice Miller,
admOnishes us:
II the Government of the United States has
within it's constitutional domain no authority TO
provide against these evils; II the very source Of
power may he poisoned by corruption contro-
81 on Floence and outrage withOu legal raint
then indeed the country IL in danger and it's best
powers. its highest purposes. the hopes which 81
inspires. the love which enshrines IT, are at the
mercy OF the combinations OF those who respect
no right but brute force on the one hand and I'M
principled corruption on the other
The government of these great
cities under universal suffrage is the
most serious problem of the North
and West. The stream of immigra-
tiOn swells the vicious and criminal
elements OF their population. New
York City in the days OF Tweed, the
corrupt elections of San Francisco
and st. Louis in recent wears, a repe-
tition OF fraudulent elections in Chi
cago and Baltimore prove that the
mass OF good citizens in our great
cities forget their municipal obliga-
tions and surrender not only to local
misgovernment, but at the same
time surrender the machinery of ma
tional elections TO corrupt, control,
to bIioery and fraud. -
Mr.. Speaker, the Legislatures of the
North and West are struggling in
every State to save the very States
themss lives from thecorrupt elections
in great cities. Shall the national
Legislature, partake in the result
ing evils, take no part in the Nation
All movement Tor an honest ballot, an
honest count, and an honest return
of Congressional elections i'm the
great centers of our suffrage?
But the national law for supervis-
ing Federal elections in cities of over
10000 inhabitants has during nine
teen years already done much, and an
awakened moral sense will do more
to secure pure elections and the fair
return of Representatives in Congress
from the great cities of the white
States.
This bill, extending and strength
ening the national system of super
vision of elections of congressman
may be more effective there than il
can be in the old slave regions, where
Congressional election frauds are
tiagfqnt and periodical in many
States
The ELECTION contests in this Con
gress locate the Southern evil, and
throw a food of light on its varied
aspects.
This House seated the Representa-,
tive from the Fourth district of West
Virginia, Mr. SMITH, who was elected
but the governor OF West Virginia
ahnmelessiy deprived him of his certi
ilcate by deciding that 'twe," part
OF the word twelve, as figures on the
returns before him made plain, was
an abbreviation for two. Twelve
elected him and two defeated him
We righted this wrong by a govern
~ VI q htNctoCs hC CcC-ll OtbOlNt -
the First district of West Virginia
Mr.. ATKINSON, was by the same gov
ernor deprived of his certificate. II,
had majority of tie votes. Hi
opponent demanded a recount. Ii
Wetzel County the returns were hele
back, and in the courthouse, by tn
assent or conivance of the custodi
an OF the ballots, Mr.. ATKINSON
name was scratched off of enough
ballots to give MIR. Pepdleton the Ger
tliicate, but We restored to Mr.. Al
KINsON his seat.
Mr.. WILSON, of West Virginia
rose.
The SPEAKER, pro tempore (Ml
PETERs). Does the gentlemen iron
Maryland yield2
Mr.. MCCOMAS. For a moment.
Mr.. WILSON, of West Virginia.
|.zsimply want to put it upon recOr
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