The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-09-22
THE FORCE BILL

The following extract on the sub
Ject OF the force bill is taken from one
OF Gen. Stevenson's speeches:
repeat, the issues involved in the
pending struggle for political supre- m
acy are of great Importance to all the
people of this country, but to the
people Of the Southern States the
issues are of terrible moment. The
present contest is between the Re
publican and Democratic parties. One
or the other of these great organiza-
lions will be successful and will con-
troll the policy OF this government for
the next four years; which shall it be-?
II you desire the enactment of the force
bill with all its train of evils cast your
vote for the Republican candidates.
but If you desire the peace that comes
from good government, then let me
say to you, your only place is in the
ranks OF the Democratic party.
AS L have said, the force bill takes
the election of representative in Con-
gress out of the hands of the officers
provided by State law, and gives it to
Federal agents.
1t provides for the appointment by
the Federal courts, of supervisors who
are to be backed by deputy United
States marshals without limit.
The registration of voters is to he
under the controlssof supervisors. They
are to have the power to inspect nat
urallza. Oh papers and to invade
private residences to make the inspec-
ton. Should the election officers fail
promptly to pass upon the qualifica-
lions OF voters, the supervisors at once
can do SO, administer the oath and re-
ceive the ballot.
They are created sole judges as to
whether the election officers do their
duty and from their decision there is
no appeal. The supervisors appointed
by the Federal courts under this bill
are to hold their offices for life.
Under the extraordinary powers
given by this bill to the Federal agents
who are to supervise the election of
representatives in Congress, the con-
troll OF such elections passes from the
hands OF the people to those of the
Federal administration. This law
applies to all cities having a popula-
OF 20, 900 or upwards.
1t applies to country districts ex-
elusive of such cities upon application
to the supervisors by one hundred
voters OF such district. At the option |
OF less than one per cent. of the voters
to be affected by it, this law, with all |
its harshness and great expense, can
be put into operation, and this, too,
without the slightest intimation that
injustice or fraud is contemplated in
the management of such elections.
AS [ have said, while the bill is |
intended especially to control elections
in the South it may be put into opera
ton IN every congressional district in
the United States.
Aside from its utter disregard of the |
rights OF the voter. its disregard of |
local government and of the sanctity |
OF homes, its expense would be enor-
nous. Ii put into operation in every
district as it may be, it |
would call into service at every polling
place Federal election officers aggre-
eating more than 100000 throughout
the entire country. 1t has been esti-
mated that its cost at your regular
election, if put into
general operation, would fall little |
short OF ten million dollars.
This bill in every line and paragraph
breathes distrust of the people. 1t is
totally destructive of local self govern
nent. 1t would be difficult to find in
my of our history more daring
attempt to weaken the power of the
people and centralize all power in the
Federal government.
No single officer entrusted with it's
is elected by the people.
From the judge who makes the APP
oolntments of chief supervisors to the
owest deputy marshal entrusted with
is execution, all receive their appoint
nents under Federal authority.
The people, the source of all politi-
al power under our constitution, have
10 voice in the selection of those who
lnder the monstrous provisions of this
dill can sport at will with their dearest
lights.
This legislation, my fellow citizens.
IS devised in the spirit of hate.