The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-12-06
pa.. lha EIectlon Law.

a
the development Of the existing law providing
Federal supervision OF Congressional cleo
tions offered an effective method OF reforming
these abuses. The need OF such law has
manifosted itself in many parts OF the country.
and it's wholesome restraints ana ponal-
ties will bo useful In all Tho constitution
alty OF such legislation has boon affirmed
by tho Supreme Court. It's probable effect
ivoness ~ evidenced by tho character OF
tho opposition that is made TO a. IL has been
donourcfd ns n II we're new exercise or
Federal power and an invasion Of the righta
OF the states. Nothing could DO further from
The truth: Congress has alfeaay, nasa an"
IL has declared that votes Tor members OF
Congress must be 10y written or printed ballots
II has provided for the appointment 10y tho Cir
cult Courts In certain cases, and upon the petit
tiOn OF n certain number OF citizens OF election
supervisors, and made IL their duty 10 supervise
the registration OF voters conducted by tho
stats officers 20 challenge persons offering
20 register 20 personally fnspoct aud scrut-
inixo the registry liats, and To afiix their
ton and the prevention n frauds TO attend at
elections and remain with the boxes VII the
votes are all cast and counted 10 attnch 70 the
registry list and election returns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness OF the regis
try list and election and 20 take and transinit
TO the Clerk OF the Honse OF Representatives any
evidence OF the fraudulent practices which may
be- presented 20 them. The same law provides
for the appointment OF Deputy United Stateh
Msns to attend ind a. shs po SeR0d u sn
and 20 arrest persona violating the election
law The provisions OF this familiar title IN
by both the political parties. and IN the North
as well aa I'm tho south. by the Ming with the
court OF the petitions required by law:
shall have a federal election law, for now
have one and have had for nearly twenty years,
but whether we shall have an effective law.
The present law stops just short OF onective-
ness for IL surrenders To the local authorities
all control over the csrtincation which
establishes the primn facio right 70 a
..f lam n "A wa
defect should bo cured Equality OF repre-
sentation aud the parity OF the electors must
bo maintained. or everything tnat 10 yaina .,,
ifcRtiona OF an oioctor must DO sought In tno
law not In the opinions, preludices, or fears on
any class bowevgr mus, ~ free s' from the
ambush OF fear and tho enticements OF fraua
! the count so true aud open that none shall
| nainsay a. Such law should be absolutely
non partisan and impartial. IL shouli give
| tho advantage 10 honesty and tho controi
/ to mnlorities. Surely thore ~ nothing
! sectional about this creed, and " ~ shall nap
\ pon that the penalties az laws intended % on
| force those rights fall here and not there,
! a. ia not because the law IL sectional, but De
univeraal Nor should Il bo forgotten
/ that every law. whether relating 20 elections or
1 20 any oihor subject wh"thcr enacted py nhe
/ state or by the nation, has force behnd II. The
courts the marshal or constable, the posse
comitatue. tho prison, are all and always Do
hind the law.
llnoss 10 any section class who seeks only "a
/ restrain violation OF law and OF personal right
| No community will fnd lawlosmcss prohtable
! No community can afford 20 have IL known tha'
| the officers " no arc charged with the preser va
| ton OF the public peace aud the restraint of ths
| criminal claaaoa AFRO thcms elves tho product 81
/ fraud or violence Tho magistrate 10 then with
| ont expect aud the law without sanction. me
| foods OF iawlessness cannot be leyeed aud tnnd.
10 run In one channel The killing OF unitoc
states Marshal carrying wiz on arrest ior ~
election oifenso a. full ~ prompting ana eugres
ton 10 men who are pursued by a city Marsha
Tor N crime aQainat life aud property. bu
A il said that this legislation VIII reviv'
race nnimoaities, and some have oven Hug
costcd that whom the peaceful methods
piemonted by intimidation aud violence. III To
proposed law gives 10 any Allied eloctor
Nv hairs weight. moro than hi
equal influences or dctracts by so mucl
from any other qualih.d elcctor, ~ !
ia.nlly inpea,enea bu. u ine inv 10 e9uat an an
fact thai some electors have boon accustomed
10 exercise the franchise for others as well a
for themsolvcs. then thoio Rulmoalties ough
not 90 DO confessed without shame AM
cannot bo given any weight ia the discussion
without dishonor. No choice 10 left 60 mo bu
10 enforce with vigor all laws intended 10 sccur
60 the citizen his constitutional rights ana y
recommend that the inadoQuecios OF such Law
be promptly remodicd
III 10 promote with zeal and ready interes
every project for tbs development OF its ma
terlal interests, fts rivers, hhrbors, mines an
factories, and the intelligence and peace an'
acourlty under tho Law of its communities
aud ia homes, IL not accepted as suncten
evidence 81 friendlinens 10 any state or section
can not add connivance ~ election practice
| electors OF other States and sections 81 thei
| Inoet priceless political rightA