New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-05
PrELrY OF ELECTIONS.

they should carefully consider:
Cd That the Republican party Is Solcmnly
pledged to protect the purity OF elections. Inc
National platform adopted al Chicago declared
We demand effective legislation to secure the
integrity and purity of all elections. which are
the fountain OF all public authority" This
pIcd1e has not been regarded by the Senate,
and no respectable reason has been given for
hesitation or delay.
(2) The people who hold such legislation just
and necessary are growing indignant. only Il
little fraction of them are the colorcd voters to
whom 50 many refer but if these alone should
Withdraw 'Acir confidence from the Republican
marty in Northern states because it has not the
courage or the Justice 10 keep lis pledge, what
will he It's chance of success? The real dan
-cr is far greater II Is that thousands OF earnest
RepublicanS throughout the North. who have
been repeatedly robbed of their rights 10y Demo
cratic frauds in Northern cities aN we'll aS AT the
south. may conclude that party which Will not
secure the integrity and purity OF elections Is not
worth saving.
81 Measures in which some persons had a
pecunialy interest were allowed the precedence
at the. last session Republicans who want
honest elections were urged to complete other
legislation first, because the Election law would
come too late TO do any good IN November, ana
were promised ,ha; IA clear majority oi the SEN
ate would do everything necessary to pass the
Election bill early this winter. II that promise
is not kept, there will be a different state Of
mind about business legislation the next time.
Not even the advocates of protective tariff can
afford to obtain support hy promises which they
break.
AZ No other issue has been or can be sub
nittod to The people on which their verdict IS
more certain 10 favor the Republican party, If
that party does its duty. Ia every community
there are a thousand men who want honest
election, for every scoundIcl who wants chance
to cheat and 80 throws cold water on ever!
attempted reform. The more the Democrats
make "A fuss about an honest and proper Lice
tiol bill the more upright citizens will examine
the measure. and see that Democrats depend
upon fraud for success and vote them down.
The objections to the pending bill are not
such aS intelligent and patriotic men can urge
in good faith. They are, first, that II would
disturb the peace and the industrial develop
lacnt of the south 10 provide means Tor securing
fair Congressional elections there, because law
breaking Democrats are 50 worked up about
white supremacy that they would resort TO force
and blopdShcd in order to prevent election of
Republicans. But what ha, the election OF a
Congressman to do with white supremacy in Il
city, county or state? The bill proposed would
not interfere with State or local elections in
the slightest dcgrcc-hOWcyer much such in
reference may be warranted by constitutional
Obligations. II proposes only to guard the
rights Of all citizens in Federal elections
The objection that the bill cannot be enforced
is equally an objection to the law prohibiting
Illicit distillation or countcncting, or SNUG
Cling Shall every law be repealed which can
not everywhere and at all times be enforced +?
In the great majority of places, whether south
or North, tho authority Of the lnitcd states
would be respected, its courts and officials would
discharge their duties unmolcStcd and III peace
and honest elections would result. If there are
places where rebellion against law Is ready TO
take the form of overt resistance, the sooner
that fact is put before all voters plainly the
better.
The Senate cannot afford 10 waste time IN
pretended courtcsics, when a plain duty has been
prevented for Il whole month by deliberate talk
ing for delay. There is not even IA decent pre-
tence of debate The intention TO kill the
Election bill by abusing the rules of the senate
is openly ayowcd. If Republican senators sub
nit to this they will have to reckon with con
stitucntS whose patience has been much tried al
ready.