Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-11-24

The demand for the repeal of the
Davenport statutes is echoed by Demo-
Gratis in every part of the country. 1t
Is as nearly universal as any party cry
that we remember. There Is no differ
ence of opinion among Democrats about
the extent to which the reform should
go. Absolute, unqualified and final
adjustment of the whole system of
Federal interference with elections is
what is wanted, and no measure short
OF that will be tolerated by the party of
home rule and free government.
In dispatch from Washington yes
terday it was suggested that Congress
might cripple Davenport's future opera
tons by Withholding the appropriations
on which the United States Marshal
depends for funds with which to hire
spies and bull-dozers and to bride voters.
There is no need for any such indirect
method of dealing with the scandal.
Dayenport's own fees are not depen-
dent upon the annual appropriation
bills; but he cannot resume his activity
until the Congress elections in the fail
OF 1894, and long before that time comes
around he and the system he represents
can be disposed of by the repeal of the
Federal election laws.
What are the provisions of existing
law that must be repealed by Congress
First, sections 2,01l and 2012 of the
Revised Statutes provide that in any
city or town of upward of 10000 in
habltants, on the application of ten citi-
Zens prior to the registration for any
election at which congressman is to be
chosen, the United States circuit court
shall appoint supervisors to guard and
mi tt,.,,- 49, 1
will start with section 2,Ol1 of title 26 of
the Revised Statutes
Next, section 2,013 provides that the
United States circuit court in question
shall be kept open before and at election
time in order to back up the operations
of the supervisors it has appointed.
Next, sections 2,014 and 2,O15 provide
that the judge of the circuit court NAV
delegate his duties and powers with re-
gard to the supervision of elections to
any district judge whom he may desig-
nate.
Next, section 2,01G authorizes the
Federal supervisors to attend at the
places of registration, to challenge citi-
Zens who desire to register, and to scru-
tinize and copy the registration lists.
Next, section 2,0l7 empowers the
Federal supervisors to attend at all
times the places where Congress cleo
tions are held, or where the votes are
counted; land to personally inspect and
scrutlnlZe, from time to time, and at all
times, on the day of election the manner
In which the voting is done, and the
way and method in which the poll
books, registry lists, and tallics or check
books, whether the same are required
by any law of the United States, or any
state, territorial or municipal law, are
kept" This is the backbone of Dayen-
portism; it will so with the rest of the
system.
Next, section 2,0ts requires the super
visors ITO personally scrutinize, count,
and canvass each ballot in their election
district or voting precinct" and TO make
certificates and returns of the same to
the Federal chief supervisor.
Next, section 2,0l9 authorizes the
Federal supervisors at the registry and
polling places on the day Of registration
and on the day of election "to take, oc-
cupy, and remain in such position,
whether before or behind the ballot
boxes, as will, in their Judgment, best
enable them to see each person offering
himself for registration or Offering to
vote" and likewise to take any position
they deem proper while supervising the
count OF the votes. This is the provision
under which DaVenport's hirelings claim
the right to push their way past the bar
riers erected by any state law to safe.
guard the ballot box.
Next, section 1920 requires the SUPER
visors to report to the chief supervisor
promptly when they are "molested" in
the full and free exercise and DISCHARGE
OF the duties and obligations" Of Federal
interference. The same section authorizes
the chief supervisor TO investigate tho
circumstances OF the "mulcstation" re.
ported by his subordinate, gives him
power to subpoena witnesses and com.
pei their attendance, and requires him
to transmit the information thus OBJ
tanned to the clerk of the House OF
Representatives.
Next, section 9,O2i empowers The
United States marshal TO appoint in
cities or towns Of 10000 inhabitants
special deputy marshals to assist the
Federal supervisors in their work 81
interference. No limit is placed on Tho
number of these special deputies, Il
was under this section that ,Tacobu,
recently enlisted his army of tramps anG
loafers for the support of Davenport,
performances. This section of the Law
simply provides the machinery for tn,
wholesale purchase of votes at the ex
pense Of the United States treasury.
Next, section 2022 directs the Cnitet
States marshal and his deputies, genera
and special, 70 keep the peace" at place
OF registry and voting, and to "Snppor
and protect the supervisors Of election
IN the discharge Of their duties;" en-
p0WerinT them to arrest, with or with