Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-15

The Force Bill to Be Forced Through

The Force Bill 10 Be Forced Through.
Our latest advices are that the Republi-
cans have resolved TO press the adoption OF
a rnlo by which they can close debate In
tho Senate at any time on any question.
This is what we have for some days eI-
pected. In many northern minds hatred OF
the South rises superior TO every consdera-
ton Of Justice and sound public policy.
In the opinion Of the shreking patriots
who are after Office nothing is too oppres-
nve for the rebels"
Now il remains to be seen how tins
amended rule can be showed through the
Senate. How is debate upon II TO be ter
minated? There il but one way and that
is by putting into the chair some man who
will play the part of Speaker REED. and who
will count n quorum when he wishes, and
upon ncedful occasions will refuse to see a
Democrat who rises and asks the attention
Of the Chair. A pretty pass for the United
States Senate TO come tO-a body which
always boosted that it was above popular
passion and prejudice; that long glorled IN
freedom of speech and pridod itself upon
its dignity.
Certainly it seems that the majority are
determined TO have their own way. III Is
mad step they are about TO take, ana no
one can predict the consequences.
Indeed up 10 this time few OF the
southern people even have realized the ter
rifcally revolutionary character OF the pro-
ceeding contemplated, and the Republi-
cans in describing the project have CLOSED
ii over TO make it appear as wonderfully
harmless and impartial thing.
In his card addressed TO the public. but
more particularly to Mr.. WISE, Mr.. WAD-
DILL quietly ignores the most odious
features of the force bill.
What is particularly objected to by our
people is that while it pretends to be
measure applying to the whole country
n is really aimed at the South. True, II
may be fastened on New York or any other
northern city or county, but that 1t is
blow struck especially at the South is clear,
IL verbatim reports of the Republican
caucuses could be published they would
settle this point beyond possibility OF
doubt.
Nor is the bill the tame thing one
would suppose from Mr.. WADDnLs
explanation. II retains all of the OBJ
jectionable provisions of the old law
and adds tenfold TO them. Two monu-
mental features are the power given 10
circuit Judges of the United States to
create canvassing boards and to appoint
juror-commissioners.
Judge BoND sitting in chambers at Balti-
more may appoint these canvassing
boards for Maryland. Virginia. West Vir-
ginia, North Carolina. and South Caro-
lima. They will get their "returns"
through the supervisors. and while the
State board is sitting at the Capitol can
wasting the real returns, the BoND board
will be sitting at the custom-house can
vassing memoranda sent them by the super
yisors. If the State board awards the GER
tlficate TO A and the BOND board awards
il to b. the latter prevails and Bs
name will be enrolled by the Republican
Clerk of the House and A will have TO be
the contestant.
For the trial of election cases centres will
not be drawn by the present jury commls-
sioners (Messrs. OVERLY and PLEAsANTs)
but by board appointed by Judge BoSD
The design is obvious.
What chance would the gentlemen ar.
rested in jackson Ward two years ago have
had if they had been tried before Judge
BoSp and a jury drawn in accordance with
this proposed lawr
Mr.. WApDILL has voted for cruel and
sectional measure. Wehope that he already
repents it. If not he will see the time
when he will be willing to give his fortune
70 wipe out the record.
In Virginia the whites are in the MAORI
", and when this thing is discussed be
fore them they are going to be UNI
nearly, and will sweep the State like hur
rlcane. The election of 1869 is sure TO b'
repeated. In that year Virginia was ruled
by United States army officers. They con
Quoted the election and canyassed the re
turns. All the odds were against u.s. Ne
groos of all ages and conditions were allow
ed TO vote. Notwithstanding all these draw
backs, the whites, remembering what they
had suffered and resentfm Of the repeated
indignities put upon this Commonwealth
voted almost az one nan and carried tn
State by more than 10000 majority. Wha
We did then we can do again and again.
All the force bills in the world will no
be able TO wrest from Virginians the RICH
10 govern their State, for we know ful
well that il this audacious attempt I
seize our congressional representation l
successful the next step will be for Con
cress 10 tamper with our State govern
ment. The idea $ ridiculous is IT? No
moro than would have been the RowELI
LODGE bin a few years back.