Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-17
THU RSDAY. JULY II, 1890.
Featnres offhe Force BIZ.


Mr.. WILSON dwelt more particularly upon
the onormities Of the MCKINLEY bill.
Mr.. CRISP made "A wonderfully clear re-
view Of the proceedings of the Speaker
and political associates by which the Re
publicans acquired control of the House
of Representatives. In determining these
cases well-ostablished rules OF law and
evidence were disregarded by the majority
party and principles applied in one con-
test were discarded in another. To un-
seat COMPTON they threw out precinct
because they said colored men were pre-
vented from voting and to unseat WISE IN
a similar case they refused 10 throw out
the precinct. and counted as votes those
who had not voted" BY such methods
and Mr.. CRISP named many cases where
they were employed-their majority OF
has reached 20.
Mr.. CRISP insists that the Republicans
DO not want far and free election. They
SANDER and villify the South to revive ami
mosities and preiudices against our section,
aud under the plea of wanting honest cleo
tons they seek to enact a law which will
deprive the people not only of the South
but OF the North of all power to repudiate
them at the polls
The substance of the RowEII-LoDGE bill
Mr.. CRISP gave in the following words:
The circuit courts OF the United States appoint
chief supervisors Of elections for each Judicial
district The judges are nearly oil Republican.
The chief supervisor. whom appointed, is the
master % the situation. Supervisors are APP
pointed for each yoiing-place ANY number Of
deputy marshals, all Of the same party, may be
sppOinted-thers IL no limit 10 the number
These officers are all paid ost Of tho Treasury
anc may be employed ten days or more. The
msrshals may make n houso-to-hOuse canvass
90 inquire into the qualification Of voters, and
must do Whatever the chief supervisor orders
Them TO DO.
The States mny have election officers, but
whenever there IL a conflict in the returns the
State return gives way 10 the Federal return
Tho court appoints a returning board. Their
certificate entities the holder TO particip ate in
the organization % the next House. The holder
Of the certificate from a Governor Of State con
only contest the election after the House is or
ganzed.
The bill appropriatcs an indefinite sum OF
money 10 execute the law, and IT IL a continuing
or permanent appropriation. The Treasury ia
required TO honor the requistion OF the chief
supervisor in advance OF the election for as
much money as no wants; there is no limit; his
discretion cannot be revised or reviewed. IL
enforced generally hundreds Of thousands OF
officers would be appointed, and at least 10000
900 expended at every election
Such corruption fund never before In
the history OF any government Appropriated out
OF the treasury OF the people.
Our present lury-law provides for the appoint
ment Of a discreet person of opposite political
sentiments TO the clerk OF the United States
Court, and the two prepare list OF jurors for
the court. This bill repeats that law and per-
Ynits the board 10 DO ell OF the same political
party.
The bill declares innumerable pains and
penalties against the people and provides for
Republican jury to try persons accused OF viola
tons OF the law A Democratic voter Is to DO
tried by his political enemies, but a Republican
onlcisl who may cheat aud defraud the voters
out of thoir rights Ii 10 DO tried by jury OF his
political frends Can that provision OF the bill
meet the approval Of honest aud lair-minded
menf
The Republican caucus approved tho bin with
n provision In II reviving the test-oath-Ihat Is,
providing that no one should sit upon a jury who
ever gavo aid or comfort 10 the Confederacy.
They got ashamed Of that and struck il out, but
It's insertion illustrates and demonstrates the
feeling and animus and motive OF him who drew
the bill, aud dssipates the idea that II was H.
tended TO be an honest or just measure.
But the worst feature Of the bill remains 20
he mentioned. Under II the President may use
the srmy and navy Of the United States not only
10 enforce judicial process, as he may now do,
but 10 enforce and prevent violation OF the cleo
fion-iaw. That Is to say, whenever In the opinion
Of any marshal or chief supervisor or in the
opinion Of the President without suggestion, II
Is desirable or necessary he can send the army
Of tho United States or any par, thereof into any
State before and during an election TO aid In the
enforcement OF the Law. No matter how I'M
necessary II may be, no matter how perfect the
peace is. ia anticipation Of wrong the troops
may be sent 20 superintend the election. We
are not left 10 conjecture what that means. I'm
fortunately this country understands; you un.
derstend It here In Baltimore. New York under
stands It, Philadelphia understands II, the South
unders lands II, and We all know that II means
the use Of the troops to intimdatc, to influence.
and 70 control the voters Of the country.
After quoting English and American
statesmen TO show the danger TO the liber
ties of the people of allowing the use OF
troops at the polls, MIR. CRISP concluded:
ITO deny the right OF trial by an impartia,
fury. to deny the people Of the freedom Of the
ballot. 10 refuse them the right 10 manage theii
Own Affairs, and % use the army for police pur.
poses in time Of peace are crimes against liberty
which Justly merit, and will surely receive. the
fatf ,at., ltv ~
tho American people"
Mr. HrnPHu.L in his fine speech said that
this election bill will directly and in a most
Important manner interfere with the State
statutes in many cases, and in those States,
seven or eight in number. which have
adopted the Australian ballot system it
provides that one of the supervisors shall
accompany any illiterate voter and instruct
him how he shall prepare his ticket. The
State laws say that the manager only
shall do this. BY requiring that all kinds
of ballots shall be received and counted
the bill completely nullihes the laws OF
many States. which IN their effort TO secure
the secrecy of the ballot require that all
ballots shall be uniform in size and APP
psarance; and MIR. HKxPHII.L added;
"ln any State where the congressman 10 voted
for with other state ana county officers this law
will directly conflict with the State law In seve-
rel essential particulars requires any single
supervisor TO pass upon and receive the vote Of
any challenged votsr where tho State managers
do no, Immediately do 70. hrequires tickets 70
b handled and counted By threo United states
of1ciais and every name on each ticket read out
by these officers and counted. IL provides for Q
mode Of drawing out tho surplus ballots
IL tho box. and Tor tho deposition 70 BE-
made OF certain classes Of bsiiots. whom
many Of the state laws require that oil
the ballots shall 10 preserved IL expressly
prohibiY the states from changing In any re-
spec, tho law nov In existence 10 any Of the
states ~ 70 the election Of asmbefs Of Congress-,
and ponsibiy - 70 other elections; and makes
perpetual the existing Laws Of the States, OK
espt oniy - 70 TIE places whore elections shsi'