The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-14


culase together. The better dollar Is
Withdrawn and becomes merchandise.
The true interest Of all our people and
especially ofthe farmers and working
/ people, who cannot closely observed the
money market, is that every dollar, paper
or coin, issued or authorized by the gov
eminent shall at all times and in all
It's uses be the exact equivalent, not only
in debt paying, but in purchasing power,
Of any other dollar.
am quite sure that if We should now
act upon this subject independently of
other nations, We would greatly promote
their interests and injure our own The
m0netery conditions in Europe within
the last two years haye, think, tended
very much to develop a sentiment in IA
yor ofa larger use ofsilyer, and was
much pleased and encouraged by the
cordiality, promptness and unanimity
with which the invitation Ofthis govern
ment for an international conference
upon this subject Was accepted by all
powers. We may not only hope FOX but
expect highly beneficial results from this
conference, which will now soon assem-
be. When the result Of the conference
is known, We shall then be able intelE-
gently 10 re-adjust our financial legisla-
tioG 10 any new conditions.
TuE ELECTION SYSTEMS
IN my last annual message TO Congress,
said: Il must yet entertain the hope
that il is possible t. secure a calm, patri-
otic consideration Of such constitutional
or statutory changes as may be necessary
TO secure the choice Of the officers Of the
government to the people by fair appor-
tionments and free elections. I believe
it would be possible % constitute a com
mission, nonpartisan in It's membership
and composed Of patriotic and wise and
impartial meD, to whom a consideration
Of the questions Of the evils connected
with our election systems ami methods
be committed with good prospect Of
securing unanimity in some plan for re-
moving or mitigating those evils
The Constitution would permit the Sc
lection Of the commission to be vested in
the Supreme Court, If that method would
give the best guaranty Of impartialiiy.
This commission shOld be charged with
the duty Of inquiring into the whole sub
ject Of the law Of elections as related to
the choice Of Officers.of the National Gov-
eminent, with a view to securing to
every elector free and .unmolested ex-
ercise Of the suffrage and rs near an ap-
prOaeh TO an equality CT yalne in each
ballot east as IS attainable.
The demand that tie limitations Of
suffrage shall be found in the law, and
only there, is a Just demand, and no Just
man should resent or resist it.
THE ALABAMA ELECrI0N.
Il seemed 10 me that an appeal to our
people to consider the question Of read
jusiing our legislation upon absolutely
fair, non-partisan lines might find some
effective response. Many times have
had occasion 10 say the laws and elec-
ton methods, designed 70 give Unfair ad-
vantages 10 the party making them,
would some time be used to perpetuate
in power a faction ofa party against the
viii Of the majority Of the people. OF
this We seem to have an Illustration in
the recent State election in Alabama.
There Vas no Republican ticket in the
field. The contest was between white
Democrats The Kolb party say they
were refused the representation gnaan-
teed by law upon the election boards,
and that when the courts, by mandamus,
attempted to hight this wrong an appeal
that could not be heard until after tie
election made the writs Intellectual. Bal
lot-boxes were thrown out for alleged ir-
regnlarities or destroye and it is assert
ed on behalf of one-half, AZ least, Of the
white voters Of Alabama that the officers
10 whom certificates have been given
were not honestly elected. There is no
security for the personal or political
rights Of any man in a acommunity here
an. other maa IS deprived Of his person
al rights.
The power Of the States over the Ques-
ton OF qualification Of electors is ample
10 protect them against the dangers Of an
ignorant or depraved suffrage, and the
demand that every man fouad to be
qualified under the lag shall be made
secure in the right to cast \ free ballot
and to have that ballot honestly counted
cannot be abated.
Foa FEEE AID HONEST BALLOTS,
Our oil Republican battle cry, "a free
ballot and a fair count, comes back 10 us
not only from Alabama ba. from other
states, and FROM men who. differing wi.n
unwidely in opinions, have come 70 see
that parties sad political debate are blt
a mockery IT, when the debate is ended
the judgment Of honest nlajorities IS 70
be reversed by ballot box fra1ds and
tally sheets manipnlations ia the in.erss.
Of the party or party faction in power.
These new political movements ia the
States, and the recent decisions Of some,
Of the S.Ate courts aglins. uuflir aopor-
iionment laws, eueoCrac> the hope thai
the arbitrary and partisan election laws
AMI practices which have prevailed may
b. corrected b. the Ssl,-s, the laws male
equal anl n1a. irtistl AL the elections
free and honest
The Republican party would ri ice at
such a solution, as q healthy and patriot
ic local sentiment is the best assurance OF
free and honest elections. I shall again
urge upon Congress that provisions be
made for the appointment of a non
partisan commission % consider the su5-
sct Of ap2ortioa u=uts aai elections in
their relation 10 the choice Of Federal
1licers.
CIVIL SERVICE sYsrEa.
The civil service system has been ex-
.ended and the law enforced With yigor
and impartialiiy. There has been no
partisan juggling with the la9 in any Of
he departments or bureaus as had be-
lore happened, but appointments to the
classified service have been made impair
tally from the eligible lists. Thesystem
nov in force IN all the departments has
Tor the first time placed promotions
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