Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-23
WITHOUT AN AMENDMENT.
Senator Goblin Wakes Eloquently
Sarcastic in His Speech
DEFENDING THE FREE AMERICAN.
Applause from Senate and Galleries Re-
wards His Effort.
ONLY one REPUBLICAN BREAK MADE
IFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.


HARRISBURG, May 22.-Unless Provi-
dence should see fit to affiict some long
winded Senators with temporary loss of
speech, the Legislature is not likely to ad-
ioUm before the Fourth Of July. Time
enough was wasted to-day in tedious dis
sertations upon the inherent rights of
the people and constitutional history
TO have passed score of bills.
The Baker ballot bill was up on second
reading in the Senate, both afternoon and
evening, and it finally passed without an
amendment, although many efforts were
made by the Democrats in that direction.
The Republican side, however, stood solid,
with the single exception of Senator Rob-
bins, Of Westmoreland, who made several
attempts to have certain clauses restored to
practically their original form.
NIr Robbins first amendment was to
change the date at which the bill goes into
effect from March 1, 1892, to July 1, 1891.
This was voted down, as were also his at
tempts to have the time for filing nomina-
ton papers 50 fixed as TO give Independents
a few davS more than the regular parties in
which 10 get in their nominations. The vote
was strict party one, except that Mr.. Rob-
bins voted with the Democrats on his own
amendments
The Section Fought Over.
The fight, however, was over the really
vital section OF the bill. This is section q,
which permits voter who, 'for any cause
desires assistance" to take another quail
fed voter into the booth with him to aid in
preparing his ballot. Senator Ross moved
10 amend SO that he must swear that he was
physically disabled or unable to read. Mr.
= - bu+ bo
struck down all secrecy, and opened the
door TO bribery and intimidation. Votes
We're bought and sold now, and it would con-
tinuc if this section were left unchanged.
"Why shouldn't an American citizen have
The privilege Of taking another voter III
with him il he wants TOP" asked Senator
Nce5.
1T is not English, you know" replied
Senator Goblin. and the Senator from Leba-
non proceeded TO make one of the most
vigorous speeches of the session. He de- |
clarcd that the Democrats were casting un-
warranted aspersions upon the great mass
OF the American people. Because there |
were some >coundrels they wanted all hon
est men 80 be degraded. Men who in their
early years had been deprived of an edu- |
cation must swear to it before they could |
vote.
Must Swear to Affections.
The blind, the paralyzed, the crippled, |
must swear to the affections which it has |
pleased God to put upon them before they |
could even take their sons or their friends
into the booth to help them perform the
most sacred privilege of citizenship. ''Gen-
rlemen of the jury, is this right?' The !
Senators laughed and applauded. eyes,
this is Jury. ard your verdict on this mat
ter viii 20 forth to the people.
''I7or which side is the gentleman coun-.
sel?" asked Senator LLOYD.
'.IHor the people and their rights, where |
ALWAYS stand y declared Mr. Goblin, amid
applause from Senate and galleries
That's IN American sentiment" shouted
Senator Handy Smith, and the applause
broke forth again.
Continuing Senator Goblin said that the
friends Of This amendment would place even
harder requirements upon free American
citizens than were made in the countries
where the system was first adopted. Even
in Queensland and Tasmania and in mon-
arclial Belgium no affidavit was required.
a Great Burst OF Sarcasm.
''Whv," cried the Senator, striding into
the bar Of the Senate, "even in Italy, that
land whence the Duke of MaccacOm and the
Marquis of Stilietto, the gentlemen whom
we see going around with their younger
Irol hers under their arms and diScoUrsing
sweet music from hand-organs, even these
take each others word in this matter; but
here in PENNSYLVANIA we are asked TO de-
clare that We. cant trust free American citi-
zen"
The Senator evidently had the Republi-
can side ana the galleries with him, and
several Democratic Senators privately in
darSed his sentiments, although they voted
for the amendment, which was defeated by
sgrier party vote. Senator Hines en-
Grarored 10 have an amendment mdae to
prohibit eiectionecring around the polls, as
sartiag that in he mining regions the
bosses STOOD around and intInidated
iLe miners into voting as their employers
wished. Senator Thompson became very
Indignant. and declared there was no class
Of people SO Independent in the exercise of
the right Of suffrage aS were the miners No
amendments were permitted TO be made,
aud after nearly three hours of useless
debate the bill passed second reading.
HENRY HALL.