The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-10-22
The Force Bill.

The Force Bill.
The Democratic National Convention
acted wisely in giving the Force Bill first
place in its platform and fifty characterizlng
it as 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 impoverishes; the other
would absolutely destroy our republican
form of government. The one acts silently
and indirectly, but none the less surel y; the
other would destroy popular elections and
place the polling and counting of the bolIots
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 OPP
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 Republi-
cans. is to insure free and fair election, to
have the ballots truly counted and the re-
suits properly certified. Every one iamil-
lar with Republican methods knows that
that party is bent ON success only and never
hesitates to corrupt voters and pollute the
ballot box to attain success. In the matter
of elections its record is one of infamy.
Until its Use elections fairly represented
the popular will. Since its organization
elections have been repeatedly bought and
stolen.
The Republican record is 50 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 1861,
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 a 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 1874,
and its voters are gradually and continuous
ly leaving it. The congressional elections
of 1890 showed Democratic majority of
about 600, 900 Seeing their power wan
ing the Force Bill was conceived by Johnny
Davenport, and fathered by Lodge and
IIoar. to maintain power in spite OF public
sentiment 1t was intended to have the
law in operation at the elections of 1870,
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 ses-
sion with renewed determination, and
President Harrison used all his personal
and political influence to pass the bill. 1t
only failed because there was German, of
Maryland there to combat it with a par
liamentary skill and endurance never 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 the
late Senator Plumb, of Kansas.
Every Republican state convention since
1890 has endorsed the Force Bill, and the
late Republican National Convention also
declared for it, while Mr.. Harrison, seeing
the drift of public sentiment, endeavors to
give it a non-parliSan phase in his letter of
acceptance But the Republican record on
this measure is fresh before us, and MIR.
IIarrisons too, and he cannot undertake to
alter it,
The reform of the tariff is living issue.
Taxation that is virtually robbery, must be
reduced and the fight against Mckinley
rates must be wagcd until it ends in sue
cess. But the greater issue is the Force
Bill. The iniquitics of this measure must
he made plain to the people, its dangers to
the republic pointed out, its unconstitu-
tienality demonstrated, and its purposes
uncovered.