The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-02

American trade and the wages of Ameri-
can workingmen
Tho misinformation rs to the terms
OF the act which has been so widely dis
seminated abroad will be corrected by
experience, and the OWL augurics as TO
its result COMPOUNDED by tho market
reports the savings bank, international
trade balances and the general prosper
ity of our people.
There Is no disposition among any OF
our people to promote prohibitory or
retaliatury legislation. Our policies are
adopted not to the hurt OF others, but
to secure for ourselves those advantages
that fairly grow out of our favored posi-
ton as Il nation.
Our form OF government, with it's in
cident of universal suffrage, makes it
imperative that we shall save our
working people from tho agitation and
distresses which scant work and wages
that have no margin for comfort always
/. beget. gut after all this is done it
will be found that our markets arc open
to friendly commercial exchanges of
enormous values to the other great
powers.
FAvORS REC IPRoCITY.
: From the time of my induction into
offico the duty of using every power and
influence given by law to tho eXccu tive
department. for the development of
larger markets for our products. especi-
ally our farm products, has been kept
constantly in mind, and no effort has
been or will be spared to promote that
end.
We are under no disadvantage in any
foreign market except that we pay our
workmen and workwomen better wages
than arc paid Observation-Disclosures alb
stractly, better relatively to the cost of
the necessaries of life. do not doubt
that very largely increased foreign
trade is accessible To us without barter
ing for it.
In many of tho products of woods and
iron, and in meats and brcadstuff. we
have advantages that only need bettcr
facilities of intercourse and tranSporta-
ton to secure for them largo foreign
markets. The reciprocity clause OF the
tariff act wisely and effectively opens
the way to secure Il large reciprocal
trade in exchange for the free admission
to our ports of certain products. The
right OF independent nations TO make
special reciprocal trade concessions is
well established, and does not impair
either the comfy due to other powers.
Tho indications thus far given are
very hopeful Of early and favorable
action by the countries for which we
derive our large imports of coffee and
sugar, and it is confidentially believed
that If steam communication with these
countries can be improved and enlarged
the next year will show most crafty
ing increase in our exports of bread
stuffs and provisions, as we'll as of somo
important lines of manufactured goods.
THE ELECTION BILL.
If any intelligent and loyal company
OF American citizens were required to
catalogue the essential human con-
ditions of national life, do not doubt
that, with absolute unanimity, they
would begin with free and honest cleo
tions, and it is gratifying TO know that
generally there is growing and nom
partisan demand for better election
laws. But against this sign of hope
and progress must be set the depressing
and undeniable fact that election laws
and methods are sonnet times cunningly
contrived to secure minority control,
while violence completes tho shortcom-
ings of frauds.
In my last annual message suggested
that the development of the existing
law providing federal supervision of
Congressional elections offered an
effective method of reforming these
abuses. The need of such a law has
manifested itself in many parts of the
and penalties will be useful in all The
constitutionality of such Legislation has
been affirmed by the Supreme Court
It's probable effectiveness is evidenced
by tho character Of tho opposition that
Is made to it. 1t has been denounced as
il it were a new exercise of federal
power and an invasion of tho rights of
tho States.
Nothing could be further from tho
truth Congress has already fixed 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 pro-
vided for the appointment by the circuit
courts in certain cases and upon the
petition of certain number OF citizens
OF election supervisors, and makes it
their duty to supervise the registration
of voters conducted by the State officers:
to challenge persons Offering to register;
to personally inspect and scrutinze the
registry lists and to aiiiX their names to
the lists for the purpose of Identified
tion and the prevention of frauds; to at
tend at elections and remain with the
boxes till the votes are all cast and
counted; to attach to the registry lists
and election returns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness of
the registry and election, and to take
and transmit to the clerk OF the House
of Representatives any evidence of
fraudulent practices which may be pre-
scented to them
The same law provides for the appoint
nent of deputy United States marshals
to attend at the polls, support the super
visors in the discharge of their duties
no to arrest persons violating
bhe election law. The provisions
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