The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-02
A LETTER FROM SPEAKER CRISP.
An Able Argument on the Principles OF
the Democratic Party.


the Democratic Party.
Hon. Charles F. Crisp. of Georgia, Speaker
of the National House of Representatives,
has written the following letter accepting
the denomination recently rendered him by
the Democratic convention OF his district:
Nv ARLINGTON. July 20 The Re-
publican party is pledged 10 the enactment
of Federal election law. | have before me
as write the bill passed by tho Republican
House on that subject. This bill may DO
fairly considered as an authoritative ex-
preston of the kind and character OF law
which Republican success at tho next cleo
ton will inaict upon US.
REMARKABLE PROVISIONS.
I cannot within the proper scope Of such
letter as this enumerate all It's remarkable
provisions.
Il gives to the Judge Of the United States
Circuit Court the power OF appointing cleo
ton officers in the States. 1t gives 10 the
election officers go appointed the power TO
designate an unlimited number or deputy
marshals, who may be employed number
Of days prior TO each election At i've dollars
per day. "A thousand or more might 90
appointed in each congressional district In
Georgia.
IL authorizes the use Of the armies Of the
United States TO preserve peace at the polls:
Ii gives TO the judges Of the United
States Courts the power OF appointing a
canvassing or returning board for each
State, who shall certify whom the people
have elected to Congress.
1t requires the Clerk of the House of Rep
resentatiyes TO place on the roll of members
elect the names Of the persons holding such
certificates. so that they may participate as
members in the organization OF the House.
Il authorizes officers of the United States
TO supervise and control the registration or
voters
It authorizes such officers TO make
house-to-house canvass, 10 ascertain. the
legality of any registered voter.
10 provides for the payment Ofall OF these
officers out of the Federal treasury, and
authorizes the employment Of many of
them for as much as eight days before an
election.
And finally it makes permanent appropri-
alton of your money for the execution OF
the law.
This enumeration Of the provisions of the
bill. meagre though it is. must make it plain
to all men that if it we're enacted into law
the people would lose all voice IN the seec-
ton or control of the officers who manage
and certify the result Of their election.
IN THE POWER or REPUBLICAN JUDGES.
A Judge of the Circuit Court Of the United
States, who is himself appointed by the
President and holds his office for life, APP
points the election officers All these judges
save two are Republican In politics If cleo
ton officers abuse or betray their trust
they are not responsible to the peo-
pie. The source of their power and
authority is the Judge who appoin ted
them. If Republican Judge, to
advance the interest of the party, abuses
bfe he tuorrfh not should fhfa hill ha
come q law-be responsible 70 the people.
Our Constitution intended that no should
be. and. to that end, lodged in the peoples
representatives in Congress the power of inn
parchment; but this law removes that re-
sponsibillty 10y permitting the appointee
of the Judge TO determine who Is your
duly elected representative. II a
partisan Judge appoints partisan
election officers who falsely certify that he
! your duly elected representative, what
remedy have youy The partisan election
officers are alone responsible 90 the partisan
| Judge. and the partisan judge can only be
impeached by representatives IN Congress
| who bold their Offices by virtue Of GER
tifcate from the partisan election officers
| This IS a mOckerY Of responsibility.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION RECALLED.
No one respects more highly than do the
| Office and the proper authority Of a Judge,
and no one can bear more willing testimony
| than do 90 the honesty. the integrity and
/ the ability Of our judiciary; and yet the fact
remains thaton the electoral commission of
| 1876 Judges of the Supreme Court of the
/ United States, the highest judicial officers
| on earth. divided in opinion on election re-
| turns on party lines, and the result was the
| Inauguration of Mr.. Hayes as President,
when you and / and large majority Of the
people of the country then believed, and
now believe that Mr. Iilden had been duly
elected to that great Office.
Popular government could not long sur
vive the establishment of a system which
permitted tho use of the army at the polling
| places of the country. and, at the same
| time. removed from responsibility TO the
people the officers who manage and control
| their elections.
The party to which we belong Is pledged
| against Federal election laws. The Demo
! Gratis of Georgia know what it is TO live
under a government based on Federal coer-
| cion and returning board methods. We
favor home rule, and believe the people Of
each State can DO trusted 10 manage their
/ own elections.