Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-26
THE FEDERAL ELECTION BILL.

PHILADELPHIA Public Ledger: That
Henry w. Grady has depsrte this life would
be plainly manifest-even If not we'll known
to anyone who reads the Atlanta Constttutton's
threat to 'boycott" Northern trade-if the
Federal elections bill shall be passed by Con-
gress.
LOUISVILLE Courier Journal: The force
bill that created so much excitement in the
first months Of 1876 had this In common with
the bill OF 1880, that IL was wholly unwar-
rantable interference with selfgovernment in
the States. Both bills are based upon the idea,
or we should rather say upon the pretext, that
the internal affairs of the States may be better
regulated from Washington than by the State
Legislatures or the people themselves.
ST. LOUIS Republic: In any view of the
case, threats of a boycott are nonsensical and
childish. The remedy of the Southern States
against oppression lies in the achievements of
their industrial independence through sound
business methods which will win where emo
rional clack and threats fail. The future of
the South is not to be achieved by politicians.
1t must be worked out by her business men,
coolly and calmly. The West can and will
help.
CHICAGO Tribune: The difficulty with the
Southern members is that they have no valid
argument against the law. It does not inter-
II
with elections for Federal offices only, which
are created by the Constitution, and therefore
properly under the control of the National
Government. Having no sound reasons,
Southern members are forced to talk twaddle,
as Mr.. Cuibertson does, and to assert that
southern prosperity is of such an abnormal
character that honesty at elections, a fair vote,
and fair count will do it harm.
CHICA GO Inter- Ocean: The pending bill has
nothing whatever TO do with home rule.
Local and State elections are wholly outside
the scope Of Federal supervision. However un-
just it is to deny the Republicans of the South
q voice In home rule the National Government
cannot interfere, provided the State govern
ment is Republican in form. But when it
comes to the election of members of Congress
the General Government has right Of super
vision, and that right should be exercised
wherever, North or South, such supervision is
necessary to honest Congressional elections.
CINCINNATI Enquirer: The South has suf-
fered much; and petulance and even anger may
well be excused to it. And yet it seems to the
careful student oil current events as IL there
was never a greater call upon it for prudence
and self-restraint. The great body of North
ern people are earnest in dislike of this bill.
1t would be mournful for this country if
threats and bellicose attitudes were to resur-
rect ancient differences and rouse once more q
sectional antagonism, in the midst of which
the welfare of our common country should be
wholly forgotten.
PHILADELPHIA Times: Any law that turns
legitimate capital from any section, must be
inherently wrong and certainly mischievous.
There is not one intelligent and fair-minded
business man in Philadelphia who does not sim
cerely deplore the introduction of the force
election BILL and if it shall be passed under the
party whip. the business men of this Republi-
can city will enter their protests in thunder
tones at the November election. Lecompton
force measures made Democratic Philadelphia
Republican in 1858; force election measures
would make Republican Philadelphia Demo-
cratic in 1890. Business wants peace.