The Dickinson press., 1891-12-12
rRAuDs AGAINST SUFFRAGE.
for the Creation OF
AN Election Commission.

An attempt was made in the last congress to
bring to bear the constitutional powers OF the
general covernmen. for the correction OF frauds
against the suffrage. 1t is important to know
whether the opposition to such measures is real
ly rested III particular features supposed TO Dc
Objectionable Includes any proposition to
give to the election laws OF the United States
adequacy 10 the correction of grave and &C.
knowlcdged evils. ! must yet entertain the hope
that it is possible to sec-re calm, patrlotc
consideration OF such Unconstitutional or statutory
chang may be necessary to secure the choice
OF the officers of the government to the people
by iair tp} OF tioumcnts al free elections
believe it would be possible to constitute
commission, non-phrilsln III It's membership
and composed OF patriotic, WISE ana lmpartlaA
men, to whom Il consideration OF the question
of he evils connected with our election system
ard methods might brcumntted with good
pros Irct o. securing un*l:.iity III some plan ZOE
removing mitigating those evils Inc con-
sii,u,ioa sou pcI::.it the selection oil the com.
mission to be vested III '.c supreme coute, "
that method would Civ the DFst guaranty OF
impartia!iiy. a.,
duty OF inguirlg into the whole subject OF the
law OF elections as related to the choice OF OH.
Gers of the national government. with Il we" 70
securing to every eec;or free and unmolested
exercise OF the suffrage and as near an approacn
to an equality OF value III each Da!lot cast as ID
attal.laDie.
While the policies of the general government
upon the tariff upon the restoratlon OK QUE
merchant marine upon river and harDor Inn
provements and other such matters Oh grave ana
general concern are liable to be turned this way
or that by the results of congressional elections.
and administrative policies sometimes involving
issues that tend to peace or war 10 De turned
this way or that by the results OF a presidential
election there ID rghtu interest III all tne
states and in every congressional district that
viii not he deceived orsenced BY the audaclous
pretense that the question OF the right OF any
body oil legal voters i'll any state OF Ill any CON
gressionai district to give their sutfrages 1reeiy
upon these general questions Is a matter only OF
local concern or control. The demand that the
limitations OF suffrage shall be found IN
the law and only there. is & just de-
maud. and just man should resent OF
resist it, My appeal is, and must continue 70
be- for a consultation that shall proceed with
Justice and humanitE. not OF preJudice ana
cruelty" To the consideration OF these very
grave questions invite not only the attention
OF congress. but that ur AL patriotic cltlzens.
We must lot entertain tlis 6eluslou that our
people have ceased to regard a Tree ballot ana
equal representation as the price OF their al
lesiance TO laws and to civil magistrates.
have been greatly re!pictd TO notice many
evidences of the iucreast unihcation OF our peo-
pie and Of a revived national spirit. Ihe VISTA
| that now opens to us is wider and more glorious
| strug,.e for supremacy as We contemplate tne
popu.s !o.l, wealth and moral strength OF our
| country. A trust. momentous in It's influence
| upon our people and upon the world Is tor
| brief time committed to us, and We must not DO
taithless TO its first condition-the defense oitae
| free and equal inf ...ce OF the people in tne
| choice OF public Ulcers ard III the control OF
| publlc affairs BENJAMIN HARRISON.
| Executive Mansion, Dec. 8. 1891.