The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-07
WEAVER AND The FORCE BILL
When IN Congress He Advocated Almost
an Identical Measure.
THE HALLS OF CONGRESS- DESERTED.
Nearly all or tho Afembers Left for Their
Homes Immediately After Adjourn-
nent-Capital Notes

prominent issue Of the pending canvass by
resson Of Republican pledges to enact it
into law it becomes pertinent particularly
g. the South. 90 show how General Weaver,
Third party candidate for President. stood
on that question. In the Forty-sixth Con-
gress. when the Democrats we're making
their determined fight TO free Federal cleo
tons i'm tho South from tho presence
of armed soldiers md deputy mar
shals. General Weaver was the leader
OF tie Greeuback contingent in the
House. Hc had sought 90 organize his fol-
lowers so as 20 hold the balance of power.
thus hoping 90 make himself Speaker but
several Democrats who had been elected by
tle aid of C,rccnback votes refused TO de-
sert their party 20 further Weaver's ambi-
tious project.
The contest for free and fair elections IN
the south was begun IN the torty-ttth
Congress. Provisions FOR the repeal
O., the sections of the revised statutes autho-
ITug She use of soldiers 40 the
polls and the surrounding Of polling
places With deputy marshals and supervls-
ors we're placed ia the Army Appropriation
lil long and bitter struggle followed.
So entirely earnest we're the Democrats that
tacy refused 90 pass tho Army bill without
the repeating provisions and IL failed PTesi-
dent Hayes called the tOrty-siXth Congress
iu extra session in just two weeks and the
struggle was renewed by Congress Demo-
cratic in both branches In the outcome
tlc Democrats won a substantial victory,
repeating the most obnoxious sections.
Larry in the first session Of the
Iortv-siXth Congress april 25, 1879
General Garfield, the Republican leader,
offered an amendment - the Legislative
Appropriation bill which the Democrats
we're then also using 70 wipe out some OF
the legislation which had largely disiran-
chisei Southern whites and enabled FED
eral authority 20 control elections. His
amendment was in the nature of comprO-
mise. General Garfield admitted that some
OF the legislation complained OF wes OBJ
n1Xious and antagonistio to American ideas.
wHAr RE PROPOSED.
Ho proposed among other things, rs fol-
lows Congressional Record, first session
fOrty-SiNth Congress. page $685.
And provided further, That the follow
ing sections of the Revised Statutes OF the
United 6tates-namely. sections 1Ol6. ZOl6
and 20l0 and all OF the succeeding sections Of
said statutes down TO and including section
zOl7 and also section 5j22 be and the same
are hereby rapeaied and that section 2Ol7
he amended by striking out OF the hrst line
thereof. as printed iu the Revised statutes,
the words and requrod;' and that section
~
ton iu lines eleven and twelve, IS printed
in the Revised Statutes. the words for the
purpose OF engaging In the work of canvass
ing the ballots and by striking out from
line thirteen of said section, as printed In
said statutes. the words in respect 70 such
"IIat section 2O2s be amended by strik-
inc out in lines one and two Of said section
.fnrilted in Ia the Revised statutes the
words as a deputy marshal. and by strik-
inc out in line three the words city. town,
county or parish. That all Of section 2031
OF said statutes, except % much thereof as
relates 90 the pay OF supervisors of elections,
and that all other sections of the Revised
Statutes and all laws aud parts OF
laws authorizing the appointment OF
chief supervisors OF elections, special
or general deputy marshas Of cleo
tions. and prescribing their duties and pow
ers and allowing them compensation, be-
and the same are hereby repealed"
WEAVER OPPOSED 1T.
General Weaver opposed Garfelds
amendment, aud proposed 70 amend 1t by
striking out that portion Just quoted. In
short. be wanted TO emaeculate the PROPOSE
ton. Weaver was not willing TO 90 as far
as the Republican leader towards cOnceding
the South at least partially fair elections,
In order 90 understand Just what General
Garfield was willing 70 do and what weaver
% strike out all section zO16, which read as
follows:
Section 2OlG. The supervisors Of election,
90 auu0iuted are authorized and required
t0 attend at an times and places hxed Tor the
registration of voters. who, being registered
would be entitled TO vote for representa-
tive or delegate In Congress, and TO chal-
leupe any person Offering TO register to at
tend 40 al times and places when the names
of registered voters may be marked tor
chalenOe and 10 cause such names regis
tered as they may deem proper 10 be so
marked. 20 make, when required. the nsts'
ar either of them. provided for in section
two thousand and tweniy-six, ana verify
t-e same. and upon any occasion anu
50 any time when IN attendance upon
the duty herein prescribed TO per
souslly inspect and serutlnize suoh
registry and for purposes OF indentlhcas.on d
% afix their signature TO each page OF the
ORIGINAL list and of each copy Of any such
nst vi registered voters, at such times upon
fgca day when any name may be received
entered or registered. and in such manner
aswiU in their Judgment, detect and expose
the improper or wrongful removal theIe-
from or addition thereto Of any name.
Section 2017. The supervisors OF election
ara authorized and required to attend at al
times and places for holding elections OF
fepreseutatives or delegates IN Congress ana
Tor counting the votes cast at such elections;
fc chalIou0a any vote. 40. 10 De ana Ioluhlu
v,hera the ballot boxes are kept ut all times
after the polls are open until every vote
ca-t at such time and place has been
counted the canvass of all votes polied
vrollv completed and the proper ana re-
rr.sf+e certificates or returns made, whether
tre certificates or returns be required IN
derany law of the United states or any
Static territorial or municipal law ana %
personally inspect" &C. -.
Gar6eld proposed TO strike out the WORDS
"and reguired" from the above and 70 re-
peal the following:
section 20is. To the end that each can
didato for tho Office Of representatlYo W Si
delegate IN Congress may obtain tue uenen'
of every ote foE him cast the supervisor
Of election arc, aud each OF them is' re-
Quired TO personally scrutinlze, count anu
canvass each ballot iD their election olstrioI
or voting precinct cast. whatever may %
the Endorsement on the ballot or IN what
ever box II may have been placed or DO
found. % make and forward % &c.
Section 20l8 And at the clos
ing of the polls for the reception Of votes
they fthe supervisors OF olectiOn) are re-
Quired % place themselves ia such position,
IN relation 10 the ballot-b0xes. for the pur-
pose of engaging in the work of canvassiBg
the ballots az will enable them 10 fully per-
form the duties in respect 20 such canvass
provided herein" &c.
Section 2020 When in any election
district OF voting precinct in any CITY Oh
town for which there have been appointed
supervisors OF election for any election al
HI. -.