Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-12-06

pea to tho 8Outn na well nS TO the cost, ana OF
tbs now markets opened for their surplus food
pr 'ducts, and t-- many OF their manufactured
products.
had occasion in May last TO transmit to Con-
gross n report adopted by the International
American Conference upon the subj ,ot OF tho
incorporat on OF an International American
Bank, with q view TO facilitating money ex-
changes between the states represented In that
conference. Such an institution would greatly
promote the trade we nre seeking TO develop. I
renew tho recommendation that q careful and
well guarded hartor be granted. do not think
the powers granted shouli include those ordi-
arily exercised by trust guar nty or safe deposit
companies, or that moro branches in the I'm ted
States should be au oriZed than are strc ly
necessary to accomplish the object primarily
IN view. namely, convenient form of exchanges
II Is quite important that prompt action should
be taken In this NATTER In order that any up
preparations for better communication with
these countries, and any agreements that may
be made Tor reciprocal trade. may not be him
dered by tho Inconvenience OF maxi ng e1-
changes through European money centers, or
burdened by the tribute which Is an incident of
that method OF business,
The bill for the relief OF the Supreme Court
has, after many years OF discussion reached a
position where final action is easily attainable
and 1t is hoped that any difference OF opinion
may be so hnrmoniZed as TO save tho essential
features OF this very important measure. IN
this connection earnestly renew my recon-
mendation that the salaries OF the judges OF
the United States District Courts DO so read
iusted that none OF them shall receive less than
5000 per annum.
The enactment OF national bankrupt law I
still regard as very desirable. The Consultation
having given to Congress Jurisdiction OF this
subject, IL should be exercised, md uniform
rules provldeq for the administration OF the ;lf-
ia'ts OF insolvent debtors. The inconventenccs
resulting rom the occasional and temporary
exercise Of this power by Congress, and from
come into force Immediately, should be- re.
moved by the enactment OF o simple, ineXpen-
stve and permanent national bankrupt law.
The use OF the telegraph by the PostofflGe Do.
partment ~ n means for the rapid transmission,
OF written communications Is, believe upon
does not own and operate the railroads, and 1t
should not think, own or operate the tele-
graph lines 1t does howe YER seem to be quite
practicable for the Government to contract
with the telegraph companies, US IL does with
the railroad companies, 10 curry NJ specified
rates such communication as the senders NAV
designate for this method OF transmission. L
recommend that such legislation be enacted as
will enable the Postoiice Department fairly 10
test by expe iment the advantages of such a
use OF the te Iegraph.
HONEST ELECTIONS.
II any Intelligent and loyal company OF
American citizens were required to cata Ogue
tho essential human conditions OF national life,
| do not doubt that with absolute unanimity
they would begin with ''iree and honest elee-
tions." And IL is gratifying TO know that gen
orally there Is n growing and non. partisan de-
mand for better election laws. But against tn is
sign OF hope and progress may be set the de-
pressing AMI undeninbe fact that election laws
and methods are cunningly contrived 10 secure
minority control whilo violence completes the
shortcomings OF fraud.
1In my last annual message suggested that
| the development OF the existing law providing
n Federal supervision OF COngresson 4 eleo-
| tiOns offered an effective IN .thod OF rtforming
these abuses. The need OF such 4 law has man-
Tested itself in many parts OF the country. and
its wholesome restraints and penalties will be
use ul In all. The constttutionalty OF such
| legislation has been affirmed by the Supreme
Court. Its probable effectiveness is evidenced
| by the character OF the opposition that
ia made 10 il n has been denounced az
| IL II were n new exercise OF Federal power. aud
an invasion OF the ri thts OF the States. Moth
1 flan
has already fixed the time for the election OF
members OF Congress. 10 has declared th.tt
votes for members OF Congress must be by
written or printed ballots. IL has provided for
the appointment by Circuit Courts, IN certain
cases and upon the petition OF Ger
tain numb Der OF citizens, OF election supervisors
and made it their duty TO supervise the regis
tration OF voters as conducted by the State OH
GERS; to challenge persons o1eTins 10 register;
to personally inspect and scruttniZc the reg SLry
lists and attix their names 70 the lists for the
purpose OF identification and the prevention OF
| frauds; TO attend the elections and remain with
the boxes till the votes all cast and counted,
TO attach to the registry lists and election re-
| turns any statement touching the accuracy aud
fairness OF the registry and election, and to
take and transmit TO the clerk OF the House OF
| Representatives any evidence OF fraudulent
| prnctic~s which may be presented 10 them
The same law provides for the appointment
| OF deputy United States marshnls 10 attend to
| The polls support the Supervisors in the dis
charge OF their duties and TO arrest persons vio-
| ating the election laws. The provisions OF this
familiar title OF the Revised Statutes have been
put into exercise by both the great political par
| ties, and In the North as well rs in the South,
by the tling with the court OF the petitions re-
| qured by law.
1t is not, therefore. n question whether we
! shalt have Federal election law. for we now
| have one and have had for nearly twenty years,
| but whether We shall have an eIe tive law.
| The present law stops Just short OF effective
ness for IL surrenderS TO the local authorities an
! control over the certihcation which establishes
| the prima facie right to seat in the House OF
| Representatives. This defect should be cured:
,,.,Itt ~ mt ha MIR itu Of
| the elections must be maintained. or every
| thing that is valuable in our system OF govern
ment is lost The qualifications OF nn ,lectOr
must be sought in the law, not in the opinions.
preiudices or fears OF any class, however pow
| erful
| The path OF tho elector to the ballot box
| must be free from the ambush OF fear and tho
| temptations OF fraud; the count so true uud
| open that none shall gansav IT, Such Il law
| should be absolutely nonpartisan and impair
| tial. II should give the advantage to honesty
and tue control to maloriies. Surely
saess Is an. sSa hnppen ha hs
the penalties OF laws intended to en-
| force these rights fall here and not there, 10
| is not because the law Is sectional. ut because
| happily, crime is located, not universal. Nor
| should IL b. forgotten that every law, wheth r
relating to elections or 10 any other subject,
| whether enacted by the State or by the nation,
| has force behind 1t. The courts the marshal or
constable, the posse comitatus. the prison. arc
| all and always behind the law.
| One can not be justly charged with unfrend-
| illness to any section or class who seeks only to
| restrain violations OF law and personal right
| No community will Tina lawessness profitable.
| No community can afford TO have IL known that
| the officers who are charged with the preserva-
ton OF the public peace and the restraint Of the
criminal classes are themselves the prod
| uct OF fraud or violence The magistrate
is then without respect and the law without
| sanction The floods OF iawiesSness can not 40
| leveled and made 10 run in one channel. The
| hi ling OF 4 United States marsh | carrying a
| writ OF arrest for election olense is full OF
| prompting and suggestion to mfn who are pur-
| sued by city marshal for crime against liis
| or property.
But it is said that this legislation win revivo
race animosities and some have even suggested
| that when the peaceful mel hods OF fraud arc
made impossible they may be supplantcd by in
tmidation and violence. II the proposed
law gives to one qualified elector by .
hairs weight more than his equal
influence. or detracts by SO much
| from any other qualified eiector 10
is fatally impeachei. But II the law 8 equal
an the animosities II is TO evoke grow out or
the fact that some electors have been accus-
| toned to exercise the franchise f.r Others as
| we'll as for themselves, then these animosties
ought not to be confessed withe It shame, and
can not be- given any We ghL In the discussion