, 1890-02-09
ITS WEAK SPOTS.
Mr.. Burritt Makes an Assault on
the Election Bill.
The Measure Defended by Mr.. He
bard, Its Framer.
Introduction of Several Important
New Measures.
House of Representatives.
THE ELECTION BILL.

Considerable that was new and very
interesting was brought out during what
was probably the final house discussion on
the Hebsrd election bill and which &C.
CURED yesterday morning.
Alter Mr.. Burritt had moved to
eliminate from the bill the stipulation
making payment of poll tax a prerequi-
site to the exercise of the right of suffrage
be occupied the floor for twenty minutes.
He threw such a fertilization of subtle ar
gument about his position that it seemed
impossible to challenge his attitude or
controvert his deductions. The gentle
man reiterated that he was not opposed
to the general features of the bill and
wished to be understood as heartily in &C.
cord with the grand principle hat ad-
herents claimed to be the foundation
purity Of the ballot. As a member of
the constitutional convention he was
pledged to a modification of the Austral-
ian system and TO registration when the
time forit was ripe, but the measure un.
der consideration was so weighed down
with conditions and machinery as to make
it imperative to a great extent. Reforms
in this direction are to be admired, but
they should not be thrust upon the PEG
pie suddenly. The intricacies of the law
could scarcely be digested, or even its
general scope thoroughly compreheded,
between July l and the November cleo
ton OF this year. If statehood is attained
early. numerous legislative contests will
arise. The expense attending the new sys
tenn would be m and at this time
nc county is in a position 10 incur extra
ordinary expense with a demand for sal
airy reduction aud relief from the burdens
of taxation. Northern Wyoming can
registration, but the speaker had been in.
formed that Chey enne needed this pro
lection. In Nebraska a general registra-
ton law had been such a hardship that
there was called a special session of the
legislature to repeal the act and now that
state had. only registration in cities of the
first and second class. The vote was SO
small there that the congressional repre-
sentation was threatened. 1t had been a
dismal failure in other Western states
having a large area of sparsely settled
territory. Mr.. Burritt now made a strong
plea for his motion to strike out the poll
tax qualification. He said it was in con-
hiet with the organic act OF the territory
and the laws of congress. This was not
by any means a party question, but it was
not for the legislature to declare poverty
a political crime. The gentleman had
consulted both Democrats and Replbh.
cans and thought a larger number of the
latter were opposed to the infamous prop
erty qualification. Wyoming was called
the most progressive of territories and
retrogression should not mark her action in
this instance.
Mr.. Guthrie said that the gentleman
from johnson should not be alone in his
position. He had presented a motion
similar in import on the first opportunity
and was still firm on that ground. He
believed in a poll tax, but could not en-
dorse exactlon of tribute when it was
made a property qualification.
Mr.. Hebard said there was ample time
for the electors to familiarize themselves
with the new order of things, that printed
copies OF the law $1,000 would be distrib-
uted through the territory so soon as the
bill became an approved act. 1t will be
somewhat expensive, but the cost will be
trifling compared to the accruing benefits.
Ink pads and stamps which the gentle
man from johnson had placed at 500
would cost but 500 every two years.
Registry agents would not average more
than $500 in each county. The pay of
Judges and clerks was cut down from SIS
for eight hours to SO for ten hours and
under the system the vote of any precinct
can be Tailed in twenty hours. Mr..
Hebard finds the prevailing sentiment in
favor of the poll tax and was convinced
that the provision was not unconstltu
tional. IL was not a property qualiica-
ton but a head tax which all should pay
ch~eeriully and which should be imposed
on everyone in Justice to the property
owners who were forced to pay it. | sually
the people who pay poll taxes alone get
the most benefit from the law.
Mr.. Burritt remarked that he bad
never expected to hear the claim that it
was an offense for poor people to have
children, Because a man by accident or
misfortune becomes a pauper or public
charge shall he be d~isfranchised2 Was
it not the rich man who stayed at home
when war anne. Finally it is or it is not
a crime to be poor. and have the poor
majority no rights as against the rich
MINORITY
In the eyes OF MIR. Adams the gentle
man from johnson is an extremist. Reg
istration may be a hardship, but it is
right, holds Mr.. Adams. If the present
poll tax is just why not this. There is a
cry for a pure ballot here. The claim
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