The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-16
suoh legislation argues unmlstakahIy a laok Of
confidence In the people
THE FoROE AITF

confidence In the people
TIE FoRoz BILL.
This bill passed the House of Representatives
OF the Fifty-frst congress every republican
but three voting Tor it and every democrat
voting against it. With the aid Of q few re-
publicans the democrats were enabled for a
time to encompass It's defeat In the Senate A
republican senator who aided its defeat de-
oared az the time 1T was the most Infamous
plece Of legislation that crossed the thresh-
old OF the Senate" But for the fact that three
or four republican senators co-operated with
the democrats this bill would have passed the
Senate, received executive approval aud would
now be upon the statute books.
AS have said. the force bill takes the election
OF representatives ia congress out OF the hands OF
officers provided by state law, and gives il to
federal agents. IL provides for che appointment
by federal courts OF supervisors, who are to have
charge Of It's execution. To secure It's enforce
ment, supervisors are TO be backed by deputy
United States marshals without limit. The
registration OF voters is to be under control of
supervisors. The supervisors are TO have power
to inspect naturalization papers and TO invade
private residences In order to make such inspec.
tion.
oDIous FEATURES OF THE BILL.
Should the election officers fail promptly to
pass upon the qualification Of voters then the
supervisors at once can do 30. admiaister oaths
and receive ballot, They are created sole judges
as to whether the election officers do their duty,
and from their decision there is no appeal
Supervisors appointed by the federal courts
under this bill are to hold their ofiees
for life. Under the extraordinary powers
given by this bill TO federal agents who
are TO supervise the election OF a representa-
tive In congress- the control of such elections
passes from the hands OF the people to the
hands Of the federal administration. The law
hPples 70 all cltles having population of 20 900
or upward. 10 applies TO country districts, ex-
elusive OF such cities, upon application to
supervisors by 100 voters Of such district, or op-
tion of less than per cent OF the voters 20 be
wit al nnff ffo hup n,
ness ana great expense, can be put into opera
tlon, and this too without the slightest intima-
tion that injustice or fraud Is contemplated in
the Management OF such elections. Is have
said. while this bill is Intended specially
TO control elections in the south
may be put into operation Ia
every congressional district in the United
States Rs an idea OF utter disregard OF the
rights OF the voter, it's disregard OF local gov.
ernment and of the sanctty of homes. Ite ex-
pense would be- enormous II put into operation
In every congressional district, as II may be. II
would call into Its service at every polling place
federal election officers aggregatinR more than
zoo 600 throughout the entire country.
ITs COST SlO.0OO.oOO.
IL has been estimated that its COST AZ your
regular congressional election, IL pat into gen.
eral operation, would fall little short OF Si0,-
OgO,OO0. This bill, ia every line aud para.
graph, hreathes destruction TO the people and
Is totally destructive of local self government
IL would be difficult 90 flnd on any page Of our
history more daring attempts 10 weaken the
power OF the people and oentraliEe all power
In the federal government. No Justice from q
single officerisntrusted with it's execution Is ex
pected by the people From the Judge who
makes tho appointment OF the chief Supervisors
TO the lowest deputy marshal intrusted with It's
execution, all receive their appointment under
federal authority.
The people. the source OF all political
power under our constitution, have no will in
this election If those who, under the monstrous
provisions OF this bill, eaG sport at Will with
their dearest rights.
This legislation. my fellow citizens, is devised
In the spirit of hate. Can IL be possible that
the American people will consent TO the enact
ment of law 80 hostile TO the spirit OF our free
institutions, legislation that savors only Of ven.
Reance, the successful operation OF which would
involve the expenditure OF millions OF dollars
and bring in It's train untold horrorsi
Can Il be that the hands are to be turned back
upon the dial and evils through which you
have happily passed again became a living re-
alityp
Gen. Stevenson's remarks on the force bill
we're followed by discussion of the tariff
similar, IN substance, 10 his previous
speeches on that subject.