The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1890-12-05

II any intelligent and loyal company of
American citizens were required TO catalogue
the essential humane conditions of National
life, do not doubt that with absolute unan-
unity they would begin with free and hon
est elections" And it is gratifying to know
general desire was a growing and non -parti-
san demand for better election laws But
against this sign Of hope and progress must
be set the depressing and unbeatable fact
that election laws and methods are some
times cunningiy contrived to secure minor
Ity control while violence completes the
shortcomings of fraud in my last annual
message I suggested that the Developments
of the existing law providing Federal
an effective method of reforming these
abuses. The need of such a law has mani
tested itself in many parts of the country,
and its wholesome restraints and penalties
will be useful in all The constitutionality
of such legislation has been affirmed by the
Supreme Court
Its probable effectiveness is evidenced by
the character of the opposition that is made
to it. 1t has been denounced as If it were a
new exercise OF Federal power and an fnya-
sion of the rights of the States Nothing
could be further from the truth Congress
has already nNed the time for the election of
members OF Congress- 1t has declared that
votes for members OF Congress must be by
written or printed ballot 1t has
provided for the appointment by the
circuit courts in certain cases, and upon the
petition OF n certain number Of citizens Of
election supervisors aud made it their duty
to supervise the registration of votes con-
Quoted by the State officers to challenge per
sons Offering to register; TO personally in
Epecs ana scrurtnfzc the registry lists and to
affix their names to the lists for the purpose
of identification and the prevention of
frauds TO attend elections and remain with
the boxes till the votes are counted; to at
tach TO the registry lists and election returns
any statement touching the accuracy and
fairness of the registry and elections, and
to take Rad transmit to the clerk of the
House of Representative any evidence
of fraudulent practices which may be pre-
scented to them. The same law provides for
the appointments OF deputy United States
marshals TO attend to the polls, support the
supervisors in the discharge of their duties
and arrest persons violating the election
laws The provisions of this familiar title of
the revised statutes have been put into exer-
else by both the great political parties. and
in the Sorth, well in the South, by the
dling with the court petitions required by
we shall have Federal election law, for we
now have one and have had for nearly
twenty years. but whether we shall have
effective law
The present law stops just short OF effect
IveBess, for IL surrender5 to the legal
thoritiss ali control over the eertification
which establishes the priLlaa facie right TO a
seat in the lower house OF representatives
This defect should be cured Equality of
representation and the purity of the electors
must be maintained or every thing that is
valuable IN our system of government is lost
The qualification OF siec<ar 1auEs DO sought
In the Law, not In the opinions. pFs3ndIces or
feays q say class however peHsffnl- The