New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-18
NrFD OF FAIR ELECTIONS.

Tho senators who prevented the passage OF
tho Election bill at the last session OF Congress-
whether by intention, by exhaustlng time use
Iessly or needlessIy. by resisting change OF
mics or BY direct bargaining with the Demo-
crafts have an opportunity now to consider how
far thew have helped their party or themselves.
Without unseemIy levity, it may Dc said OF
come Of them that "it is their funeral" What
ever losses may have occurred elsewhere the!
are left without successful party at home' ana
without political future.
When Republican Senators agreed at last
TO pass the River and Harbor bill, and the
Tariff bill, and to take up the Election bill
eary next session, it was probably too late TO
odont any other course. The hope OF the
Democrats has been that adverse majontles
this fall would lead Republican Senators to
abandon this measure, and so to leave Demo-
Gratis full power to repeat and increase those
maiorities at pleasure in the States where the
popuIar will is now disregarded or defeated
TIVE TRIBUNE belietes that course would De
suicidal. If the Republican voters are informed
that their leaders will no longer endeavor TO
secure an honest vote and an honest COUNT Vi
the people, many thousands OF those Voters
will extend their apathy and indifference 10
future elections.
This has ceased to be a question OF party
polcy-a matter about which party can prop
erly decide with chief regard to It's immaculate
prospects of success in this or that iocaiity
II has come to be in fact, and has come by
great number of sincere Republicans to be
regarded. as the one duty which more than
any other the Republican party owes 10 tne
country. A thousand times 1t has Deen sau
by substantial citizens within the last SIX
months that a party which will not or cannot
nrovide for honest and fair elections does not
deserve public confidence" This line OF crit
icism is gaining influence, Senators may be
sure 1t is not among the colored citizens only
that it is heard, though they are naturally us
posed to feel hardly toward rulers VINO nave
the power but refuse to secure the coored race
in the exercise of its constitutional rights. but
the feeling is growing throughout the North,
and especially in States which are liable to be
controlled by such cities as NewiOrlI, Boston,
Jersey City and Baltimore, that the Republican
narty fails in its duty if it neglects to provide
for fair elections.
fair election means an honest apportion-
| ment for one thing. Indiana and Ohio gave
Republican majorities at the last Presidential
election, Ohio gave Republican majority on
November 4, and Indiana would have done the
same had there been full vote. But the
minority of the people in each State has been
enabled by dishonest apportionment to steal
from the majority great part of its rlghtiul
political power, and to elect large majority
| of Representatives in Congress- The same
| thing has been done to greater or less extent
in Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee and other
States. Unless the Republican party has the
courage and respect for fair dealing to apply
remedy for this subversion of free government
it will have only limited claim to the public
| confidence