The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-06-29
ONE BRAVE REPUBLICAN,.
Leh1bach, Of Essex, Defies
His Bosses and Opposes
Federal Aggression.
THAT FEDERAL ELECTION LAW.
The Republican Points Out How
jersey Democrats Punish Fraud
in Their 0wn Party.
THAT FEDERAL ELECTION Law.
specfas to tie sanaou agoza;,,o we.a,.


Speetnt 70 flte Sunday MoTHfnQ Nezss.
WASHINGTON. June q, 1890 The posi-
ton taken by Congressman Lehlbach, Of
The Newark district of New Jersey. IN the
debate in the House Of representatives
on Thursday on the Federal Elections
bill has been the topic Of general discus
sion in this city. Republicans are d.
viaed in sentiment regarding the course
he has taken. Extreme Republicans. oE
course, severely condemn MIR. Iehihaeh,
while ether Republicans earnestly uphold
him.
The full text Of Mr.. Lehlbach's -
mark S, talxen from the Official report 0f
The House proceed ings on Thursday, is as
follows
Mr. Speaker, consider it due to my
co nstatu1enls that should make brief
sta tement OF the reasons why ! do not
favor the proposed legislation. / frankly
admit that the state OF affairs as they ex-
list IN certain parts OF this country, 5ndg-
ing from the testimony taken before the
Committee on Elections IN contested
election cases, would seem 10 justify the
passage of such a measure, and would
not hesitate to vote for it ii / Was con-
WINGED that it would bring about the de-
sired result, namely, a fair election and
an honest count Of tie votes cast.
FRAUDS EVERYWHERE.
| have no doubt that frauds are perpe-
trated 20 certain extent both IN the
North and in the South Il would, how
ever. be wiser. in my opinion. 70 let the
people OF the different States feg1iate
their own elections Applause on the
Democratic side-l Time, education OF
the masses, and advancement of the
moral sentiment Of the communities VIII
bring ABOUT the same result, and when
obtained the relief will be permanent
The law is not general. and IL does not
provide the same system for conducting
Congressional elections IN every Con-
gressl0nal district OF the United States
The application of fifty TO one hundred
persons claiming To be citizens Of the
United States aud residents and qualified
voters Of the district for which they
make application 1nay force upon the
people OF that district this supervision Of
election, which may be obnoxious 20
them While | have no doubt that Con-
gress has the power 70 regulate tina M
tlunal elections II Il gees lit, under the
constitution, question the right TO en-
act law which shall be made applicable
in some districts and Ignored in others If
a law Is enacted at ali for the purpose OF
regulating elections let 1t be 50 framed
thtD it viii apply uniformly throughout
all parts OF the country. and not depend
upon the petition OF any number Of
citizens.
TWO MUCH POWER
believe that many would seriously OBJ
ject TO the provision Of the bill which
would give one man, the chief supervf-
scr, the power to direct q house TO house
canvass and to subject them to the annoy
anee of what they would consider p0ilsi-
cal inQu3Eitfon- We must remember that
while The people who are strong party
adherents might not object toat, the large
class Of independent voters might con-
slider that it was merely a canvass made
officially by the party IN power to further
the interests of that party. [Applausel-
United States narshals and supervisors
have often caused trouble at election
places. They have assumed authority
and frequently have prevented or sought
to prevent legalized voters who belong TO
the opposite political party Of which they
themselves were members from casting
their ballots / have great faith in the
people OF the United States. believe
that government is not a failnre
believe that where frauds have been COM
mstted in election matters pubic opinion
will finally compel the conviction and
punishment Of the law breakers.
DEMOCRATS PUNISH DEMOCRATIC FRAUDS.
Take the recent election frauds COM
mitted in my own State, in the district
represented by my colleague (Mr. Nc
Ad0o). | doubt very much whether a
case could be cited from any part OF this
country which would equal the frAudu-
lent acts perpetrated there. These ware
condemned by the res pectable Democrats
of Hudson County. whose party WAC
benefited by their commission, and the
parties accused were indicted by Grand
jury composed mostly of Democrats, and
are now being tried before a Democratic
Judge and a Democratic Prosecutor.
have no doubt that Jersey Justice will
truly shown by the evidence TO have been
implicated in the frauds they Will be con
victed By q jury composed, very prob
ably, largely Of Democrats. and VIII re-
ceive the full penalty of the law
That is what public sentiment has
done, and will do, to correct election
abuses.
think the law as proposed will tend to
bring about conflict Of authority between
election officers elected directly by the
people and the supervisors appointed.
This, think. would develop q deplorable
state of affairs in some sections OF the
country.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT A CORRECTIVE.
When frauds in election matters be-
toned by the community in which they
are committed, it shows that the moral
sense Of that community is in a most
wretched condition. Every Imaginable
law can be enacted, but no matter how
stringent it will have no effect ca these
people. A preponderance Of public senti-
ment against these frauds must be created
before fitting law can be enforced.
When this public sentiment has once
been created legislation is unnecessary
The people viii take care of the matter
In these times many are apt to come to
Congress and TO the Legislative bodies OF
the State to ask for the passage Of laws to
correct evils, or supposed evils. In many
of these cases. and believe in all, legis-
lation is unnecessary, aud not only would
NOT bring about the results desired, out
would retard any advance in reform
matters that can be regulated only when
the people become better enlightened by
education and when public sentiment
has been created in favor Of the good.
Iconsider It unwise TO enact this law.
/ believe its results will not be Dene{l-
cial to the people Of the country. aud.
speaking as a Republican, not beneficial
TO the Republican party. shall, there
fore, vote against it. load applausesl
ME-. MeAdoo. Too.
Special to tie sssadag Mornsaq Nss1s