The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-13
FORCE BILL.
WHAT THE NEXT VICE
PRESIDENT THINKS OF 1T
A. Z STEVENSON AT AsHEvLLE.

| Durlng tue TOUR years OF Demo
cratic administration of the Nation
al Government, Northern immigra
tion and Northern Capital found
their way to the South TO degree
unprecedented in orr history. Un.
der Democratic ascendeucy millions
Of Northern capital sought invest.
ment In the South. It's resources
are being developed and career OF
prosperity it has not known since
the war is before it. The purpose
or the Force bill is by intimidation
to control the election OF Represen-
tatlves in Congress. This is to be
accomplished by substituting FEEDER
al officers for the election officers
provided by the State law. In
other words, the officers you have
selected are to be displaced and
their places taken by agents OF the
party in power. You need not to be
told that such legislation argues un-
| mistakably lack of confidence in
the people. This bill passed the
House of Representative of 5lst
Congress, every Republican but
three yoting for 1t, and every Dem-
ocrat voting against 1t. With the
aid Of q few Repu oIicans, the Demo
crsts were enabled for a time to
compass it's defeat 10 the Senate.
A Republican Senator who aided
IN defeat declared at the time, 1T
was the most infamous piece Of leg
islstion that ever crossed the thres.
hold Of the Senate" But for the three
or four Republican Senators cooper
ating with the Democrats, this bill
would have passed the Senate, re-
ceived Executive approval, and
would now be upon your statute
books.
As have said, the Force bill
takes the election of Represen tatives
In Congress ont of the hands Of the
officers provided by State law and
gives it to Federal agents. 1t pro-
vides for the appointment by Fed
eral courts of supervisors who are
to have charge OF it's execution. TO
secure its enforcement supervisors
are to he backed by deputy u S.
marshais without limit. Registra-
ton of fo:trs Is to be under control
of supervisors; supervisors are to
have power to inspect naturalization
papers and to invade private resi-
dences in order to make such lnspec-
ton. Should the election officers fail
promptly to pass upon the qualifcA-
tion Of voters, then the supervisors
at once can do so, administer the
oath and receive the ballot. They
are created sole judges as TO whether
the election officers do their duty,
and flom their decision their ls no
appeal. Supervisors appointed by
the Federal courts under this bill,
are to bold their offices for life.
Under the extraordinary powers
to hn cd
agents wLo are to supervise the
election of Representatives in Con
gress, the control of such elections
passes from the hands of the people
t. tue hsods Of the Federal admins
tration. This law applies to all
| cities having population Of 10000
or upwards. 1T applies to country
districts, exclusive OF such cities,
upon application to the supervisors
| by one hundred voters of such dis
| triet. At the option of less than
ooe per cent. of tue voters 20 be
affected by it, this Law, with all Of
It's harshness and great expense, can
be put into operation, and this, too,
without the slightest lntim alton that
Injustice or fraud Is contemplated in
the management OF such election.
As have said, while this bjii is IL
tended specially to control ell ctlpns
ln tue South, 1t may be put into Op-
Grafton in every Congressional dis
trict 10 the United St tes. Aside
from its utter disregard OF the
risbta of voters, it's disregard Of locs
government and Of the sanctty OF
of homes, its expense would be
enormuo,. II put into operation IN
every Congressional district as it
may be, it would call into its ser.
vice at every polling place FEDERAL
election officers sggre eating more
tnan 100000 throughout the entire
country.
1t hes been estimated that it's
cost at your regular Congressionsl
elections, If pnt into general opers-
ton. would fall little short of ten
million dollars. This bill in every