The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-09-24
J.FRED. c. TALBOT,
The Force Bill.


The Democratic National Convention
acted wisely in giving the Force Bill first
place in its platform and fifty characterizing
it as a most dangerous measure. Senator
Daniel, of Virginia, says the Force Bill is
revolution, and Senator Plumb, of Kansas,
said it was the most infamous measure that
ever crossed the threshold of the Senate.
The people can stand unjust taxation,
as is imposed by the Mckinley bill, better
than they could tolerate federal control OF
elections. The one impoverishcs; the Other
would absolutely destroy our republican
form of government. The one acts silently
and indirectly. but none the less surely; the
other would destroy popular elections and
place the polling and counting OF the bollots
in the hands of partisans all OF one party.
If the people understood the true intent
of the Lodge Force Bill, they would boil
over with Indignation, and, while the op-
portunity presents, effectually end its men
ace by driving from power the party that
proposed and is bent upon its enactment.
Like all dangerous methods its pretended
necessity is based upon seemingl y patriotic
purpose Its object, says Harrison, Hoar,
Lodge, Reed and other leading Republic
cans. is to insure free and fair election, to
have the ballots truly counted and the re-
suits properly certified. Every one famil-
lar with Republican methods knows that
that party is bent on success Onl y, and never
hesitates to corrupt voters and pollute the
ballot box TO attain success. In the matter
of elections its record is one of intamy.
Until its rise elections fairly represented
the popular will Since its organization
elections have been repeatedly bought and
stolen.
The Republican record is so well known
the present leaders will find difficulty in
getting Democrats, at least, to put faith in
their professions of desiring fair elections.
They well remember the theft of 1867,
when the electoral votes of South Carolina,
Florida and Louisiana, were stolen and
Hayes counted in. They well remember
the purchase of the Presidency four years
later, and Dudley's "blocks of five, under
trusty leaders, purchased with corruption
fund raised by the pious Wanamaker.
They remember the theft of New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut more recently. 1t
is not free and untrammeled ballot the
Republican leaders desire. That is what
they fear, and the Force Bill is designed to
manipulate elections in their interest. The
party has been in the minority since 1871,
and his voters are gradually and continuous
ly leaving it, The congressional elections
of 1890 showed Democratic majority OF
about 800, 900. Seeing their power wan
ing the Force Bill was conceived by Johnny
Davenport, and fathered by Lodge and
Hoar, to maintain power in spite OF public
sentiment. 1t was intended to have the
law in operation at the elections of 1890
but the Democrats were able to ward it off
So exasperated were the leaders at the re-
suit of the congressional elections they re-
turned to the charge at the December scs
sion with renewed determination, anC
President Harrison used all his personal
aud political influence to pass the bill. 1t
only failed because there was u German, oil
Maryland, there to combat it with a par
liamentary sksll and endurance Revcr before
equaled in any Legislative body ably sec
ondedby Falkner, of West Virginia, Daniel
of Virginia, and few patriotic Republi
cans, conspicuous among them being thu
late Senator Plumb, of Kansas.
Every Republican state convention sine
1890 has endorsed the Force Bill, and tn,
late Republican National Convention ais
declared for it, while Mr.. Harrison, seeing
the drift of public sentiment, endeavors tt
give it partisan phase in his letter o
acceptance But the Republican record oil
this measure is fresh before us, and Mr.
Harrison's too, and he cannot undertake II
alter it.
The reform of the tariff is living issue
Taxation that is virtually robbery, must b.
rednced, and the fight against McKinle!
rates gust be waged until it ends in sue
cess. But i1e greater issue is the Force
Bill. The iniquities of this measure mus
be made plain to the people. its dangers tt
the republic pointed out, its unconstitn
tionaEty demonstrated, and its purposes
uncovered.
The Republican loss in Maine from thei
plurality two years ago is 6,3S3, or about