New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-02
THE QUESTION OF TIE HOCR.

When members of the House vote to-day
on the Election bill let the conviction OF fonr
officials at Jersey City be remembered, with
the fact that siyty-f0ur Others in the same city
have been indicted and are awaiting trial.
The MAYOR, who owes bis place to the crimes
of these men, still holds the office with lis great
power and trust. The State has Governor
who was counted in by similar frauds, and one
member of Congress represents the corrupt ing
and its convicts rather than the people. II Is
some satisfaction that, after the people have
been robbed of their rights for many years,
quarrels among Democrats make 1t possible to
bring some of the robbers 10 justice. but not
even that scanty and belated comfort exists
for the people who are robbed in some other
Northern districts, and in scores OF districts at
the South.
But a so-called Republican from Southern
State declares that he will not vote for the
Election bill, because the Federal Government
does not exist for the purpose OF protecting
citizens in their rights, that duty belonging to
the States This is not Republican doctrine.
The Republican party does not believe the
United States powcrless to defend its citizens
or 20 enforce its laws. That notion of State
rights should have been buried forever with
the lost cause and the Confederate flag after
the surrender at AppomattoX. No matter where
he may please to live on territory of the United
States every citizen is entitled to the protec-
ton of lis laws, and To defence i'll the exercise
Of its rights.
But the question is now not so much OF IN
dvidual rights Us of National safety. The
laws governing taxation and expenditures pen
sionS, patents internal commerce, and rela-
tons with other nations. are made for the peo-
pie of New-IOrk by Representatives i'll Con-
sress from Jersey City, Baltimore, Indianapolis
and various districts at the south. The Repre-
scntltiycS from certain of these districts are
not elected b. the people, but by robbers and
perurcrS The Nation has thus been governed
BY criminals. All It's industrial and CONNER
cial interests have been at the mercy Of men
who owe their seats 10 crime. In n frantic
effort 10 perpetuatc It's stolen power, the Dem
ocratc party has been multiplying its frauds
in Northern cities and districts while pretend
ing that at the South wholesale diSiranchisc-
ment of the people is necessary in order 10
nrcscrve white supremacy. An honest election
of a member of Congress in a Southern state
would have nothing whatever to do with the
local government there. Crime is perpctrated
at Congressional elections for the express pur-
pose of breaking down and defeating National
policies which the majority Of the people be-
liove necessary 10 their welfare.
This is the problem with which Congress has
TO deal If fraud is suffered TO elect score
or two of Congressman, it will turn the scale
in the House and make laws for the United
states The issue is not whether the voters in
jersey City or in a South Carolina district
shall be defended in their rights as to local
government. Whatever power the United
states may have to that end il has not been
proposed to exercise. for the pending bill con-
Germs National elections only. lie who votes
against the bill takes the responsibility Of de-
Gliding that criminals, like those who have boon
convicted in Jersey City, and thousands more
of the same sort in many districts, shall make
laws for the honest citizens of the United
States The conviction Of a few scOundrcs
gives a certain satisfaction, but il does not re-
move from places of trust and power the per
sons elected by crime. What the Nation needs
for its safety is an act to prevent such crimes
and 10 render their success impossible, and that
is the object OF the bill upon which the House
will vote to-day.