Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-01-11
MEN ANDTHINGS AT WASHINGTON.

The republicans in and out of Col
gress are much gratitied that public
sentiment is at last crystallizing into
a stern demand for ballot reform.
The state of Massachusetts has led
off in this direction by the adoption
of the Australian system, and from
the tone of the public press and the
expression of public men, it is evil
dent that all the states north OF the
Potomac will soon have thrown
additional safeguards around the
voter. Such leading democrats as
Governor Hill and Senator German
have announced their opposition to
this measure, but it is safe to say
that they will ultimately be compel
ed to fall into line, or awaken to the
fact that their political careers are
at an end. The great mass ofvOters
in both political parties desire fair
and honest elections, and this is not
to be wondered at, for 10 popular
government resting upon universal
suffrage, fair elections are absolutely
necessary to the preservation OF
national life. The public conscience
can not be too thoroughly aroused
upon this important subject as it is
of vital Importance to the preserva-
ton of a republican form OF govern
ment. If the ballot is corrupt the
government contains within itself
the seeds of decay and OF ultimate
dissolution. How far this reform
will effect elections in the cotton
states remains to be seen, but we
hope and believe that the leaders in
those states who insist that the sup
preston OF the negro vote is neces-
sary to their safety may devise some
means by which even that section
can be restored to a healthy condi.
ton in this respect.
Congress is again in session and
the republicans have taken up their
line of work in accordance with the
policy outlined in a former article
and have sought to proceed with
the appropriation bills in business
like way, but the democrats have
interposed their objections upon the
ground that no legislation should be
enacted until the new rules are adopt
ed. To proceed under the old rules
places the House at the mercy of a
handful of directors, and it is scarce.
" possible that the House will con-
sent to continue to abdicate the
right of selfgoyernment. A mnori.
ty have certain rights and privileges
which should at all times be respect
ed, nor should the majority trample
down parliamentary rules or over
ride the Constitution, but it is equal.
ly clear that the country holds the
party in power responsible for legis.
lation and the minority cannot JUST,
fy itself in defeating that work by
dilatory motions. The republicans
have now a majority in both houses
of Congress-, as well as a president
in the White House, and they are
willing to assume the responsible.
ties imposed upon them by the PEG.
pie at the last election, and at the
end OF the session to go before the
country and ask for an expression
of its Judgment upon their work
They do not propose to follow in the
footsteps Of the opposition who have
for years past considered it a merl-
torious public duty to obstruct and
retard legislation.
There is considerable comment
here upon the proposition of Mr..
Blaine to have the civil.service law
extended to the State Department.
No man in public life has a larger
number of devoted followers than Mr..
Blaine, and it is not unreasonable to
expect that many of them should de
mand recognition for their long aud
faithful service at the hands of their
chief, who is at last in power; and