Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-25

ment was in the attempted enactment OF
the offensive and iniQuitous measure now
know Is the Davenport force bill. Presf-
dent Harrison, in his very elaborate and
characteristic letter of acceptance, seeks to
avoid the issue, but nowhere does he repudi-
ate the measure which his party press still
vigorously sustains. The issue fs before the
people. 1t must be met and decided.
l have read the prolix and, preposter-
Gus provisions OF the Davenport bill, and L
speak not as a ptrtisan, but as an American
citizen, Jealous of the liberty which my
country's institutions insure for me, and de-
voted to the preservation of the simplicity
OF her governmental system when l de-
nounoe this measure as dangerous exer-
else Of constitutional authority, q menace
to our theory of government and an insult
to the people of the State. 1t is an arbitrary
act OF despotism, justified by no precedent,
made necessary by no political conditions,
but put forward solely to insure Republican
control OF Congress.
Reform Ballot Laws In Several States.
The Davenport bill, instead of being in
the interest of pure elections, is direct
thrust at them. To prevent such scenes as
characterized the election of 1885, several
States have recently passed reform laws
which, it is believed, will make bribery and
intimidation almost impossible. New York
has such law. In Indiana there is one.
Connecticut and New Jersey each have one.
Numerous other States now have one. But
the Davenport bill. il enforced, would prac
tically render those laws useless, although
its provisions are carefully worded to pro-
duce an opposite impression.
The country would practically be paying
for house-to-house canvass in every cleo
tion district for the Information and advan-
tage OF the Republican party. The sacred
right OF representation would depend upon
the integrity ot u lew partisan officers. The
conflict between the State and Federal au-
thorities would be radical and violent. Re-
spect for law would be broken down among
the ignorant Free expression of the popu-
lar Will would be gagged by horde OF un-
scrupulous partisans. Race prejudice would
be engendered at the South-flerce party
feeling, ii not open rebellion, everywhere.
If the Republicans should carry the CON-
ing election there is no moral doubt that
this measure will be pressed again. The
party which has so firmly entrenched itself
in power: the party which set at detia nee the
Will OF the people by arbitrarily overturnlng
popular majorities in the last Congress:
which has obtained the means OF profuse
expenditure by legislative favOritism;
which has created States to increase its
political strength, and which proposed in
the Davenport force bill to make itself the
arbiter OF every Federal election-that party
will not hesitate to revive this bill at the
very first opportunity, il Republican Pres
ident and Republican Congress shall be
the result of his election.
We must diligently exert ourselves to op-
pose this great issue of Capitalization
which certainly confronts us. 1t presents q
more serious problem than any commercial,
lnuuStrial or nnanclal question, more vital
to our countrys iugure welfare, more essen
tial to the preservation of our institutions.
Speeches by the Lesser Lights.
After the applause had subsided, Chair.
man Lockwood introduced Hon. William f.
Sheehan. The reception accorded him has
seldom, if ever, been equaled in this city.
The audience rose and cheered for several
minutes He said in part:
Democratic tradition and Democratic
manhood alike demand prompt and hearty
acquiescence in the judgment of Democratic
conventions. Your duty is plain, and SO Is
mine. Work intelligently, work unsel-
fishly for the election of Grover Cleveland
and Adlai Stevenson, that our loyalty may
be rewarded by a triumphant Democratic
victory.
Herbert P. Bissell was the next speaker.
His address was short, but torcible, and
was vigorously applauded John Temple
Graves, OF Georgia, was next introduced.
His address was lengthy, and one of the
most eloquent ever delivered in this city.
More than 5000 people gained admit
tance to the hall, but about 5000, who were
unable to get in the hall. held an open-air
meeting, which was addressed by local
speakers.