The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-10-05
PRESIDENT HARRISON
FULLY COMMITTED TO THE
FORCE BILL.
His Record and Cfterances Prove
It-Ehe Force Bill Ghost
Will Not Down.

Inaugural Address, March 4, 1899:
''It is very gratifying to observe the
general interest now being manifested in
the reform of election laws. Those who
have been for years calling attention to
the pressing necessity of throwing about
the ballot box and about the elector furth-
er safeguards in order that our elections
might not only be free and pure, but might
clearly appear to be so, will welcome the
accession of any who did not so soon
discover the need of reform. The Ma
tional Congress has not, as yet, taken
control of elections in that case over
which the Constitution gives it jurisdic,
ton, but has accepted and adopted the
election laws of the several States, pro-
vided penalties for their violation and
method of supervision. Only an inefi
cheney in the State laws, or an unfair or
partisan administration of them, could
suggest departure from this policy"
First Annual Message, December 8,
1899: "The power to take the whole di
rection and control of the election Of
mem oers of the House of Representa-
tives is clearly given to the General Gov
ernment. A partial and qualified super
vision of these elections is now provided
by law, and, in my opinion, this law
may be so strengthened and extended as
to secure. on the whole, better results
than can be attained by taking all the
processes of such election into Federal
control The colored man should be
protected in all of his relations to the
Federal Government, whether rs litigant,
Juror or witness in our courts, as an elec-
tor or member of Congress, or as a
peaceable traveller upon our interstate
railways"
Second Annual Message, December L,
1890: "In my last Annual Message
suggested that the development of the
existing law, providing Federal super
vision OF Congressional elections, Offered
an effective method of reforming thest
abuses. The need of such law has
presented itself in many parts of the
country, and its wholesome restraints
and penalties will be useful to all. *** Tn,
same law provides for the appointment o
Deputy United States Marshals to at
tend to the polls, support the super
visors in the discharge of their dutie
and to arrest persons violating the elec
ton laws. The present law stops jus
short of effectiveness, for it surrender
to the local authorities all control owe
the classification which establishes
prima facie right to seat in the Hous
of Representatives. This defect shoul'
be cured"
Third Annual Message, December 8
1891: IAN attempt was made in tn
last Congress to bring to bear the cor
stitutional powers of the General Gov
ernment for the correction of fraud
! against the suffrage 1t is important t
. know whether the opposition to sue
! measures is really rested in particula
: features, supposed to be Objectionable
or includes any proposition to give
the election laws of the United State
adequacy to the correction of grave an
acknowledged evils"
: Letter accepting the nomination of tt
Minneapolis Convention: I'm my la
: annual message to Congress | said,
must yet entertain the hope that it
! possible to secure calm, patriotic COZ
= sideration of such constitutional or sta
q utory changes as may be necessary
- secure the choice of the officers of tt
q Government to the people by fair appo
), tlonment and free election. )"