Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-28

second aDfricfe. The cry OF the South
vas thas it wanted to be let alone, b work
out its own destiny. That bad beea tried
fifteen years He Gid not know WHISTLER
the South vas any nearer the kingdom, but
be protested sgainst it attempting 70 work
ou, the sAlvasion Of the North on the same
line. What the South wanted was TO be let
alone to appropriate the negro's rights. and
do with the black man - il pleased. He
protested against il.
Vaux Of Pennsylvania said enough Of
the constitution vas left to substantiate his
assertion that this bill virtually overturned
the constitution and destroyed our form of
government The article Of the constita-
ton on which the bill vss based was that
with reference to the time, place and man
ner Of elections, and dvelt particularly
upon the word ..manper." He argued that
the constitutional nearing Of the phrase
WAS that the po~tr ~ congress vas limited
10 prescribing the form Of choosing repre-
sentAtiyes, and when the sh c.ion itself be-
gan its authority ceased. The word "nan-
ner" must be construed strictly. not by
implication. 1t means the habitual and
accustomed mode. There were three modes
of voting which could be cOmprised under
this word; BY ballot, vsra rocs, or show Of
hands.
Congress could prescribe which Of these
methods should be adopted. but the bill
was unconstitutional and vicious the mo
ment it touched the subject Of election it.
self. In the 'manner of holding aud
holding" of an election entirely distinc,
and separate, the power Of Congress ceased
with the former. II there could be inject
I'd into the word "manner" the power
claimed by friends Of the bill, then there
WAS no word of limitation in the English
language that could be used to put an end
to their devices. Vaux read from the ma
jority report on the bill. and expressed
amazement at the statement therein that the
words make or alter" in section 4, article
of the constitution seemed 90 plain ~ to
make srgumen, upon the constitu,ionality
OF the bill almost superfiaous A railroad
engine could not drag into that section the
meaning given it.
BY this bill, the power to choose their
Representatives was no longer vested in
The people but in the federal election of
the officer bought to do the bidding of him
who appoints him. In order to give fur.
,her respect Of his ability 10 his appoint
n'ent the act provided that the circuit court
Judges do the appointing, the judges to be
brought into the dirt and filth Of partisans
and politics. The Gentlemen on the other
siee said that there we're frauds and that
We must have pure election. Was he to
h taught that the necessity WAS to correct
irauds which imports into the constitution
the Interpretation Of the words manner
Democrats of the North would see that
Maine vas one of the fret places where
this Law should be carried out. II it cost
$4,000. 900 they would see 1t carried out in
the North and every dollar wrung from
western farmers would be seed Of angry
republican votes.
kennedy Of Ohio, spoke in favor of the
bill. He said at least thirty southern mem-
hers were here because the blacks we're
counted in the census Of 1880. If the south
ern States were deprived of their represen-
tstiOn based on the black population they
would lose one third Of their political pow
er and prestige. II the ignorant blackman
was unworthy 10 exercise the right OF
outrage. let him be stricken from the en-
umerated list of citizens entitled to repre-
ssntation and, with him, let the ignorant
white man be stricken from the list. If
Ignorance was the rock of danger, let us
erect lighthouses Of popular education.
The discussion was interrupted by But
'erworth OF Ohio. whs presented the con.
ference report on the legislative sppropria-
tim bill ard demanded consideration despite
The protest of Breckinridge Of Kentucky.
who insisted it vas not generous 10 take up
in that way the limited time devoted to the
election bill.
The report was discussed at length and
adopted.
The Speaker announced the appointment,
of Conger Of Iowa. Walker of Massacbu-
sets and Bland of Missouri as conferees on
the silver bill.
The House at $40 took recess until 8.
Evening Session.
The House this evening passed los pri-
rate pension bids including large number
which came over from previous sessions.
and at 10 80 adjourned.