Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-24
THE SLEEPING FORCE BILL.
How Future Measures Like it May be
Rendered impossible.


General Fitzhugh Lee writes to the
DISPATCH as follows:
GLASGOW. Va, July q, 1892.
To the Edior Of ne Dispatch:
Your editorial day or two ago in refer
enre TO the Joint resolution reported 70 the
House of Representatives from the Com
mittee on the Elections OF President, Vice
President. and Representatives IN Con-
press prompts me to say that while United
States senators in the near future NAV be
chosen by the people, the most important
part Of the proposed amendment TO the
Constitution is the one which draws from
Congress the power to make or alter the
1.-THE times. places. and manner" OF elect
inc Senators and Representatives, thereby
confiding exclusively the whole duty to
the States.
The sleeping force bill was born in the
fourth section of the first article OF the
Constitution. The Republicans claim the
authority 70 enact it. because under that
section Congress can make or after the
decree of the States.
As Is well known. the clause referred to
was adopted 10 perpetuate the life OF the
republic lest its existence be imperilled
by the refusal of States to prescribe the
times. places, and manner" OF holding
such elections and thus deprive the gov
eminent of one of its three great depart:
ments-the legislative. Every student or
history knows that the trainers or the
Constitution intended that Congress
should only exercise the right 10 make OF
alter" the State laws III refer ence To the
election of Senators and Representatives
upon the State declining 10 act. Indeed,
a majority of the thirteen States recorded
at the time their sentiments on the SUD-
iect.
POSITION OF MASSACHUSETTS.
As Lodge and Hoar, representatives, OF
Massachusetts respectively in the House
and Senate, were the chosen champions OF
Davenport's force bill" 1t WILL be sum-
cient TO quote the language OF the ratity-
ing convention OF that State Con the 9TH
of February, 1852 of which John Han
cock was president. In order TO remove
the fears and quiet the apprehens1ons OK
the good people of this Commonwealth,
and more efectually guard against an IN
erpment," Massachusetts, suggested the
following amendment To the Oonstitu-
ton: A.
powers invested in them by the fourth
section OF the first article, but IN cases
when a State shall neglect or refuse TO
make the regulations therein mentioned.
or shall make regulations suoFersiN" u
the rights of the people to free and equal
representation in Congress, agreeable to
the Constitution.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION.
In your editorial you are apprehenslye
that the northern people will see trace
of rebellion lin an amendment which
proposes to give to the States the sole
power 10 decide whether they Will DC
represented in the Congress OF the United
States or not, and want the two PROPOSE
tions-yiz., the election of United State;
senators by tho people, and the fourth
section OF the first article OF the Constitu-
| tion-to stand upon their respective merits,
each being embodied IN separate amend
ment. Would not the difficulty You suggest
be removed by aproyision stipuiating tha'
the power granted 10 Congress ITO make
or alter etc. should only be exercised IN
case Ut the failure OF tho States to take
tho steps necessary TO be represented IN
the Senate and House OF Representatives
of the United States The purpose Of the
1 founders OF the republic could then be
carried out, and the assumed power 20
(. pass future force bills DESTROYED.