The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-08-10

pertinent to perpetuate party power. But
patriotism and craftsmanship seem to exer-
else nc influence in guiding the policy and
controlling the actions of those who are now
responsible for the administration Of public
affairs.
Is it wise or expedient that such change
in the manner of the election of the Repre-
sentatives in Congress shall be mades
Under the terms of this bill, at the re-
quest of one hundred citizens in any city of
over twenty thousand inhabitants, or in any
congressional district, or in any county or
parish upon the application of fifty citizens,
it is made the duty of the chief supervisor
to appoint three inspectors of election for
each pre- einct in the said CITY, district or
county, whose duty under the bill it viii be
to guard, scrutinize and supervise all regis
tration preceding the election, and be pres
ent al the precincts at the election of Rep
resentrtives il Congress. The chief super
visor is further authorized, without limit
TO appoint special deputy marshals, all of
the same political party, to act both prior
TO and on the day OF the election.
This would add to the number OF federal
officials hundreds of thousands of active,
reckless psrtisans, all under the control of
one political party.
The compensation at s. a day of this in
crease of officials (including tue ''poard of
canvassers''), if appointed for all the pre-
cincts CT the country. would amount to
over six millions OF dollars, which, with the
compensation to each chief supervisor of
each judicial district. for salary. printing,
records required to be kept and certifca-
lions TO be given, would run the amount up
to fully S3,000,000. This would be an addi-
tional tax upon the people, for the perform
ance OF the same duty for which they are
now taxed by the state authorities.
The federal law, giving to the federal in
held At the same time and place as the cleo
lions Tor state and county officers, and the
character of the men, that, under partisan
administration, would be placed in these
positions. would necessarily produce frlc-
lion, confusion and distul bance between
the canvassers representing the state and
inspectors representing the federal govern
ment
The returns of each precinct are required
to he certified TO by the federal inspectors,
duplicates forwarded to the chief supervis-
ors, to the clerk Of the circuit court held
within the district, and these returns to be
tabulated and laid before the board OF can
vassers appointed by federal authority,
whose powers are not confined 10 the tabu-
lation ana canvassing OF the returns made
BY the federal inspectors but they have He
authority under the bin to summon wit
nesses before them and to reach conclusions
as - the result, based upon extranecus
Testimony. Ia other words, the worst fern
OF the retarning-boarGs OF ''carpet-hag
ging' days in the south is 20 be approved
and adopted "a the policy for elections fol-
members OF the House. The governors
certificate of the election of member oil
Congress is to he absolutely ignored, and
the certificate Of the returning ooard is
made prima facia evidence of the title G;
the person declared elected, ard the clerl
OF the House of Representatives is re-
quired to place his name upon the roll fo1
the purpose of organization.
The 10000 federal Office holders Of any
administration would hold the balance OF
power in this country; add to this number
the TWO or three hundred thousand active,
energetic isartisars, whose enthusiasm
= would be stimulated by the pay and reward
following party service, ana we can realize
he danger that threatens representative
overnment should this bill become law