Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-20


elections, and who are It's originators
aud supportersg Untll recently tie
AuthoF OF the measure wss supposed 10
be the eminently respectable Henry
Cabot Lodge OF Massachusetts,
who introduced the ball, buI
not long ago gentleman not un-
known to fame. Mr.. John /. Davenport
OF New York city, the federal super
visor OF election and also United
states commissioner, dlminutiye. po-
lite and amlabie person, ''as mid
hammered man as ever scuttled ship
or cut throat" came TO Washington
and appeared before the committee on
immigration IN behalf of another pro-
1ect dear 20 ms heart, 20 promote the
purity OF elections, and had the honor
OF examining him and he stated IN an
sweF To my question, TO the great sur
prise of the public, that he was the sole
author OF the notorious Force bill. The
borrowed plumage was immedI-
stely stripped from the proud
person OF Mr.. Henry CABOT
Lodge and the bill has been prop
erly stvled.The Davenport Force bill. !"
Permit me, IN this connection, TO fur
ther state that Mr.. Davenport, on this
same occasion, with brutal frankness,
avowed his purpose to have his bill in
| trod1ced again whenever "a favorable
opportunity should occur" and when
asked what he meant by "a favorable
opportunity" he biushIngiy replied:
''Wnen the republicans shall again
have a majority IN both houses" an
event not likely 20 occur. | trust. for
many years to come. In the open and
public expression of his intention to
press the measure again, II must be as
sumed that ne spoke IN behalf OF his
party and reflected It's sentiments. The
people OF the several states will
hesitate long before they consent
to the adoption of Davenport"
election methods in their respective To-
calitles. | have not the time tonight
to enter upon any elaborate presenta-
ton of the details of this bill. IL is
sufficient for us 10 know that the only
purpose of the measure Is to control
for partisan advantage elections, both
state and federal. The bill Is desper-
ate attempt u prop up the failing for
tunes of once great political party.
Ii was conceived IN political animoslty,
IS urged from the narrowest and worst
of motives and is unworthy place
among the statutes of the American re-
public.
Opposes the BIZ
The democratic party desires free,
honest and fair elections everywhere.
1t desires them not merely because
they would lnure to its benefit, but
upon the unselfish and high ground
that they are essential to the preserva
ton Of our free institutions. There
has been no such condition of affairs
at the south as TO Justify the enact
| ment of the Davenport measure. 1t Is
true that the colored people in large
numbers are there voting the demo-
| cratic ticket, but this affords no sufii-
| cient reason for taking away from
| them, or from us, the control OF their
| or our elections. The coiored people
| were not freed from slavery 10 become
the slaves of the republican party.
| The south is loyal, honest and capable,
| and if permitted, as it snould be, it
will work out its social and other prob
| lens In it's own way without injury to
| the cOlored race, injustice To the north
or to the republican party. or danger
| to the elective franchise. In any event
the majority OF the American people
| will never :approve measure which
| threatens their liberties, legalizes un-
fairness and absolutely guarantees par
| tisal victories TO the unscrupulous
party that dares TO enact 1t.
After brief discussion OF state
| issues, Senator Hill concluded: al be-
lieve that a large majority of the peo-
| pie OF this country are convinced OF
| the rightfulness of the democratic
| principles and want them to prevail.
| But the election will not win itself and
| there must be complete organization.
/ repeat the injunction | uttered be-
| fore the democratic state convention
at Albany in February last: 1t is our
| duty to organize, organize, organize
| With this nutto inscribed on our ban
ner, Public Office is public trust,
| supplemented by the other sentiments
| which have endeavored to present to
you tonight. NO public taxation for
| private purposes" and "no force bill. F"
| Let us close up our ranks and buckle
| on our armor for the fight with the de
! termination To do all In our power for
the triumph of our party and the cleo
| ton of our honored standard bearers,
| Cleveland and Stevenson.
After the applause had subsidized Con-
gressman Breckenridge made long
and forcible speech. The ''silver
| tongued orator" of the blue grass state
was enthusiastically applauded and
the meeting adjourned after brief
speech by Lieut.. Gov. William +. Shell
don.