New-York tribune., 1890-08-08
A SENATE SUBSTITUTE ELECTION BILL.
l1IIf1O@@O-'
REPORTED FROM THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
DIFFERING IN NO VITAL PARTICULARS
FROM TIE HOUSE MEASURE.
FROM THE HOUSE NJ

FROM TIE HOUSE MEASURE.
Washington. Aug (specaD.-Mr. Hoar to day re-
ported from the Senate Committee on Privileges ana
Elections substitute for the Election bill which passca
the House July .. careful reading OF the suo
st.tutc is commended TO the editors OF Democratic ana
Nugwump newspapers which have been assuring their
readers that the senate Committee had drawn The
fangs, of the House BILL and emasculated' 1t that
IL would do no harn-that is, would not prevent
Democratic election frauds-eyen 1t II should De
come n law. The substitute does not differ in
any vital matter from the House bill; IL Is measure
designed and calculated, IL honestly enforced as It's
title indicates $40 prevent force and fraud In
elections OF members OF the House Of Representatives
OF the United States, and 10 insure the lawful ana
paceful conduct Of such elections"
The substitute IL is understood, is mainly the handi-
work Of Senator spooner, who has devoted much study
TO the subject and has put forth special efforts 10
Simplify the measure, and make Its provisions clear
and easy to understand but 1t Is also understood that
IL was favored by every Republican member OF the
Committee ON Privileges and Eectons-inciuding Sen
ator Teller who has been frequently quoted as, an
opponent of the proposed legislation by Democrats
and Mucv1lnlps who do not seem 10 have been cor
reciy informed In regard TO the matter. Without his
vote the substitute could not have been favoraby re
norted to the Senate senator Teller reserved the
right to offer appointments to the substitute on the
1oor Of the senate.
The substitute Is seventeen pages sHoItcI o"h
bill which passed the House. Among the changes
which the Senate Committee make are tile following !:
All reference to that section Of the Revised Statutes
which 1. was alleged provides for the presence OF
troops at the polls was stricken OUT so that uero
is no change from the present law In that respect
The house house canvass provided for III inc HouSo
bill was stricken out. The provision for drawing
iur6s by commissioners was omitted leaving the law
a. AZ present on the books. The penal offences were
mic instead
felonies. The punishments modified, the highest
punishment Imposed being three years Imprisonment
and fine of IL 900. against Imprisonment for i've
years and fine of 81 900, in the House BILL
The tndge of the Circuit Court, before whom ap-
plicatio is made for the appointment OF SUPERVISORS
is authorized appoint supervisors any persons he
may see it not being confined In his selection to tho
list furnished by the Chief supervisor. Provision q
made careful control aud specification Of fees that
may be charged by the supervisors which are less In
the substitute than those named in the House bill
In cases where ballots cast In the wrong box they
are not to be counted unleas the shows that
the votes for Congressman do not equal the number OF
names on the poll list IN that case enough OF the
votes so wrongly cast shall be added to the
to make the total equal to the whole number OF votes
shown to be cast Where the election officers refuse
TO administer Oaths to voters applying therefor. II Is
provided in the bill that the supervisors shall ad
minister the oath and keep record thereof; but no
effort shall be made TO have the vote thus refused
the object being merely to preserve the testimony OF
the application and refusal.
"Tbe substance Of tho law proposed In this bnl,'
said Senator HOar to an Associated Press reporter.
is this: Whenever application Is made to Judge OF
a Circuit Court for the inspection Of the election In
any town OF city Of 10000 Inhabitants or upward or
Of any county, township parish, or precinct. officers
may be appointed for that purpose three In each pre-,
cinct. Of whom not, more than two shall be OF one
political party. 1t Is made their duty TO supervise,
Inspect and witness the election but the registration
and the election and the certlfeati9n o. tne result
thereof left in the hands of the local authorities
When inspection is provided for whole Congressional
district, however there shall be three state Commls
soners appointed by the court not more than two OF
whom shall be OF political party who shall Issue
certificate Of the result Of the election In that dis
frict The certificate thus made shall be used by the
clerk Of tho House in making up his roll Of members
ANY person who shall make under oath state.
ment that believes he Is entitled TO certihcate OF
election may have the case examined by the Judge
Of a Circuit Court. II that Judge find that the GER
fcate of the Commissioners is not correct he shall
issue certificate; and that certificate shall be tna
until the case Is acted on by the House OF Repre-
sentatlves II shall be prlma face evidence OF the
right OF the person named therein to seat In the
Honse. The rest Of the provisions are merely an
extension O. the law which has been enforced in New
York State for a number Of years.