St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-27
A DANGEROUS MEASURE.

The national election bill Endorsed by
the Republican caucus of the house is
likely to occupy the time of that body
for several days and give rise to more
bad blood than has been visible there
since Mr.. REED inaugurated the gag
rule system. There is no doubt that it
will pass the house as soon as Mr.REED
thinks best, by nearly the full Republic
can vote. There are several Republi-'
cans who are strongly opposed to its
passage, but COLEMAN, of Louisiana,
will hardly have more of his political
associates with him If he votes against
it than he did in the.t tariff vote. There
is more hope Of its defeat in the senate.
The Democrats can talk indefinitely
against it, and there are indications
that some of the Republican SEN
ators will refuse to swallow it.
No change in any material feat
ure is at all probable before
its passage in the house. 1t represents
the spirit that is to give REED whatever
strength he may have as Republican
candidate for president. and it is well
to recall its chief features. The bill
provides for a permanent chief super
visor of elections in each judicial dis
trict, who is to see to the execution OF
the law. 1t applies to all cities of over
10000 inhabitants, and to all the pre-
cincts in congressional districts on pc
titiOn of 100 voters, with application to
counties and parishes on request of so
voters. This supervisor has virtual
control of the election. He appoints
the three supervisors Or judges in ev-
cry precinct, to be paid S. day, and to-
serve SIX days in cases where there is
registration. Then the United States
marshal. at the request of the chief
supervisor, may appoint as many deputy
marshals as the supervisor wants
at SIS day, and they may serve
eight days. Of the local supervis-
0rs only two can be members of one
party, but all the marshals may be.
There may be hundreds OF these paid
agents in every district working for the
party at S. day, paid by the govern
ment. The president is authorized to
use the army and navy as he sees fit in
enforcing the law. The bill also changes
the mode of selecting jurors in the fed
eral courts, now done by non-partisan
commission, giving it entirely to the
clerk of the court. This will easily af-
ford partisan jury in cases under the
electionlaw. These federal supervisors
are to supervise every stage of the
registration, voting and counting, and
get round in the way of the usual state
agents from beginning to end. This is
what REED said. in his Pittsburg speech,
the party must do to perpetuate its con-
troll. Then there is to be state returning
board of three members, appointed by
the United States circuit court, only two
to be Of the same politics. This body
meets in each state Nov. Is in every
even year. 1t is to certify and declare
the result Of the election. 1t does not
appear that there is any occasion for
the state machinery to operate, as the
returning board has the right of way.
The man it declares elected to congress
must have seat and vote in the organ
ization under penalty of $1,000 on the
clerk for not entering his name. 1t is
believed the law would fail to work out
the end sought by its framers-that is,
The continued control of the Republican
party. 1t would lead to collisions and
violence, and open the way to partisan
corruption. 1t is the policy of reckless
men, who are only concerned to retain
their offices.