The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-10

iricts, hut the primary intent and cfrne
Of this form OF political robbery have re.
latioll " the selection Of members ol
tie house OF representatives, Tho
| power Of Congress IL ample To deal with
this threatening and %iutolcmbIc abuse.
The untalling test OF sincerity in cleo.
ton reform Will DO found in Il willing.
ness to c0nict Us to remedies and to mt
into force such measures ns will most
cilcctually preserve the righto( tho peo.
plu to trco and equal representation.
FRAUDS AGAINST THE SUFFRAGE.
An attempt was madoin tho last Con.
gross to bring to boar the constitutional
powers oirtlIo general government Tor
tho correction OF frauds against the snl.
irTe. It's important 10 know whether
the oppositiomltO such measure Is really
rested In particular features supposed
to DO Objectionable, or includes any
proposition to give to tho election laws
OF tho United St0tos' adequate 10 The
correction Of the grave aud acknowl.
edged OWLS. | must yet entertain tho
hopo that it is possible toscCurc a calm.
patriotic consideration OF such %consti.
tutionNl or statutory changes us may DO
necessary to secure tho choice Of tho
officers Of tho government TO tho pcoplc
by fair apportionincnt and Tree cleo
lions.
lbclicvo it would DO possible to con.
| stitutc Il commission non-partisQn in its
membership and composed OF patriotic,
wise aud impartial men to whom 4 con.
Rideration OF tho question OF the evils
connected with our election system anil
tmethods might be committed with n
good prospect OF securing umanimi,y in
some plan for removing or mitigating
those OWLS. The constitution would
permit the selection OF Il commission 10
be vested in the supreme court, il that
method would give the best guaranty
OF impartiality. This commission should
DO charged with tho duty Of inouirinc
into tho whole subject OF the law OF
elections as related to the choice OF Off
GERS OF the national government, with u
view to securing every clcctor 4 FREQ
and unmolGstCd exercise OF the suffrage
and rs near an approach to an equality
Of value in each ballot cast us is attain
able.
While tho policies OF tho general
government upon the tariff, upon tho
restoration OF orr merchant marine,
| upon river and harbor improvements,
and other such matters Of grave and
| general concern aro liable TO be turned
this way or that by tho result Of con-
gressional elections, and administrative
policies, sometimes involving issues
that tend TO peace or war, to be turned
this way or that by the results OF 4
presidential election there is a rightEul
interest in all states and in every con-
grcRsional district that will not bo
deceived or silenccd by tho M,dacious
protcneo that the question OF the right
OF any body OF legal voters in any state
or in any congressional district to give
their suilragos freely upon these general
questions is 4 matter only OF local con-
corn or control. The demand that tho
limitations OF suffrage shall DO found in
the law, and only there, is Il Just
demand, and no just man should resent
or resist it. My appeal is, and must
continue to be, for a consultation that
shall proceed with candor, calmncss
and patience upon tho lines OF justice
and humanity, not OF prejudice and
cruelty.
10 the consideration Of these very
grave questions l invite not only tho
attention OF Congress, but that OF all
patriotic citizens. We must not cutor-
tain the dclusion that our people have
ceased to regard Il Tree ballot and equal
representation as the price OF their
allegiance TO laws and 10 CIV! m0gis-
tratcs.
A UNITED PEOPLE.
Ihavo boon greatly rcioiccd to notice
many evidences OF thc increased u~nitica.
ton OF our people and OF ~aroyivcd M.
tional spirit. The vista that now opens
to us is wider and more glorious than
ever before. Qualification and amaze
mcnt struggle for supremacy as We
contemplate tho population, wealth
and moral strength oil our country. \
trust, momentous in its influence upon
our people and upon the world, is Tor a
brief time committed to US, and We
must not be iaithlcss to its first conli-
tion-the defense OF tho free and equal
influence OF tho people in the choice OF
public officers and in the control OF
public affairs. Best. HARRISON.
.E.rccHtiGc Mansion, December 0, 1891.
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