The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-05
Tho Father of the Republican Force Bill

Tho Father OF the Republican Force Bill.
The Republican platform demands that
such laws shall be enacted and enforced as
will secure to every citizen, be he rich or
poor. native or foreign born. this sovereign
right [the right to votel guaranteed by the
Constitution; the free and honest popular
ballot. thejust and equal representation Of
all the people. as we'll as the Just and
equal protection under the laws as
the foundation Of our republican institu-
tions. and the party will never relax Its ef-
forts until the integrity Of the ballot and
the purity Of elections shall be fully guaran-
teed and protected in every State" And
then the platform goes on to " denounce
the continued outrages perpetrated on
American citizens for political reasons In
certain States Of the Union"
Eliminate the cant and the buncombe.
and this Is demand for q Force bill; q
Force bill fastening upon the South the
whole system of arbitrary interference.
arbitrary arrests, Federal bayonets at the
polls. Republican offlceholders managing
the count, and all the other odious details
OF the darling scheme Of BENJAMIN HAIR
son for the demolition Of the Souths solidity
and the perpetuation Of Republican rule.
This Is the road that leads back to negro
domination. tho bloody shirt. tho carpet
bag. the Federal Lieutenant Of infantry
dispensing. under orders from Washington.
the Legislature elected by the sovereign
voters Of a free State. visiting statesmen.
fraud. force. legislation for plumber.
taxation that is conflscation. disas-
ter and ruin to the new prosperity
Of the New South. The BLACKLIST ink is not
black enough to describe the consequences
OF the Force bill policy. once successfully
put into operation by the politicians who
have devised 1t. 1t will turn the hands Of
the clock back to the Souths midnight.
On the very day when the Minneapolis
Convention was adopting the resolution
quoted above. Senator DAVID BENNETT HILL
was cross-examining ut Washington Mr..
JOHN I. DAVENPORT Of this town. and was
compelling him to admit for the first time
under oath that he DAVENPORT was the
author Of the Force bill which passed the
Republican House OF Representatives
during the Fiity-arst Congress. Tho in
cident has attracted less attention than ii
deserved. and less than it would have re.
ceived but for the overshadowing interest
OF the Republican Convention.
The notorious DAVENPORT went to Wash.
ington to present to the Senate petition
purporting to be signed by twentyfour
eminent citizens Of New York without dis
tinction as to party" The petition asked
for further legislation in the way of Federal
Interference In the New York elections
DAVENPORT appeared before sub
committee OF the Senate Committee
on Immigration. OF which Senator
HILL Is member, and thus sub
jected himself to the searching questions
OF Democrat who is never asleep wher
the vital principles OF Democracy are as
sailed. Among other interesting facts
brought out by Senator HILL is the square
admission by DAVENPORT that he devised
the measure OF force and Federal interfer
ence to which the Hon. HENRY CABo1
LODGE lent his name two years ago. "Art
you the author OF the Force bill. and d.
you favor 1t 2" asked Senator Hill. 81 DE-
not know what you mean by the Force bill.
replied DAVENPORT. II drafted the Fedora
Election bill. and favored It," DAVENPORT
and volunteered tho further Information
that he would renew the bill at some future
time and urge Its passage.
1t is we'll that Senator HILL brought out
In the shape Of positive testimony a fac
which has been generally suspected. 1t Ii
we'll that he has put on record for thu
| benefit OF Democrats during this campaign
both DAvENPORrs confession and his threat
| The South should understand the mer
cenary interest that inspired the infamoul
measure OF oppression which 1t barrel!
| escaped during the last Congress. ant
| which will DO renewed at tho first opportu
nifty under the Platforms pretence Of solici
tude for "the integrity of the ballot ant
the purity OF elections" 1t is well that tn
Democracy of the Empire State should un
derstand that Its interests are identica
with the interests OF the South in thi
monientous campaign Of resistance to Fed
eral aggression and partisan outrage.
Displeasure In Canada.
yery pertinent illustration OF the kin