Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-05-06
Reeds Programme.


AS outlined by himself, Speaker
Reeds programme is simply scheme
to perpetuate Republican rule by the
forcible passage of statutes, taking
from the people the control of cleo
tions and placing itin charge of the
Republican leaders in Congress. In
other words, Reeds tocsin, "Con-
tinuous victory wemust have, y means
nothing more nor less than the abol-
ishing of popular elections SO far as
the Republican party is able to do it
with the power now at their COM
mand. That is the object of the Fed
eraf election law which the Republic
can majority in Congress propose to
pass and which is intended to turn
the election machinery and the bal
lot-boxes over to Qnay's henchmen
and we have had sufficient exper-
fence of Quay's methods to under
stand perfectly what that means
Tho New York World thus outlines
Reeds programme:
The people OF the United States arc facing a
very serious condition of affairs. It is one
which mast be dealt with earnestly. Thought
fully and pItriotically. Passion hns no place
in such discussion as that into which Mr.
Reeds speech at Pit*sbnrg has plunged the
country
Mr.. Reed is undoubtedly man of command
ing Influence. He has succeeded in compeIl-
ing tie members Of his party TO accept rev.
dictionary code of rules. and to mako the
Speaker of the Congress of Republic as des-
potic as WAS the great German Premier in
the Rechstag of all Empire. Hc is euTinentIy
force to be reckoned with by those who
would preserve the institutions of the Govern
mcnt. This strong factor in politics has de-
clared. substantially. that the Republican par
tS. having for tue moment control of all the
machinery of.gOvernmcnt. shall perpctuate its
power by Statnte. He announces that the Dlr-
". with the authorization of Congress. shall
intrude iuto States and take away from the
local authorities the right to supervise cleo
tionS. count the votes and certify the returns
to the Clerk of tile House of Representatives.
The programme is revolutionary and is in
splrcd ana supported by those leaders of the
Republican party who have been most per-
siStcnt in violating the law for partisan adj
vantage. Mr.. Reed is u type of strong
minded man. deficient i'll reasoning power.
who CauiiHt see why he should not get to
his end by tile shortest possible cut There
are uses for such men in Russia bit none in
country which is governed h5 The sound
popular opinion which is the slow rcs4,It of
careful telthcratinn Mr.. Reeds allies i'm the
Senaf. are Mr.. Chandler and Mr. Honr. The
latter is the author of n Federal Election Law
supposed 10 em5ody the views of the Republic
can caucus. He has for many r,lra hniievpd
that all the Southern negroes are RrpuhIirans
and that in every Congressional district in
Which the black men prcdOminate the Repuh-
lican candidate should be seated no matter
what may be the vote.
Mr.. Chandler is recognized the country over
as the most INSCRIPTIONS of politicians. He
believes in winning Republican victory by
fair means or foul Laws aud precedcnts have
no charm fer him. He now proposes to change
timc-honorcd custom of the Senact and to
gag debate. The Senate is the one debating
body in Congress, the one house in which
bill may be halted long enough for the in-
spectiOn of the people.
The main Republican proposition is that all
Congressional elections, beginning with this
year, shall be- controlled from Washington
The people are to have no charge of the task
of choosing their representatives. The duties
now performed by those who are represented
are to be transferred to the party in control
OF the Federal Government. This year. if the
bill passes. the members of the next House
are to be certified by Republican Returning
Boards.
OF course all this is suggested in pretended
Speaker who has deliberately violated the Con-
stltutiou in order to count in Congressman who
were defeated by their constituents. It is sus-
tanned by Chandler. and the new machinery
Will be III the hands of Quay. with Dudley
Plat, in Swaynes and the Mizells as his agents
A law for the prevention of burglary. drawn
by William Porter. professional house-breaker
would be quite as much entitled to respect
Unprinciplcd and reckless partisans have con-
troll of the Government. and they are deter
mined to continue their hold on power by the
enactment of revolutionary laws.
1t is not only the right but it is the duty of
Democratic Congressman to oppose them by
every means in their power.