Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-16


treasury of South Carolina had been so lit
orally gutted by the thieves who had hith-
erto haQ possession of the State Govern
ment that there was nothing left to steal"
Have the people OF Missouri forgotten
the sad lessons learned
UNDER REPUBLICAN MIsRULEl
The heritage of debt left them will be a
constant reminder for years TO come of the
expensive luxury Of reconstruction. Are
yon Indifferent 70 the result OF the pending
struggle, then read the organized law OF
that State adopted in 1864, and swept out
OF existence in 1879 when the Dem
ocrats came into power. An eminent Sen
GtOr OF that State has declared with no less
earnestneSs than truth that "a more in
famous, ,atrocious and barbarous instrument
than the Drake Constitution was never in
vented"
Possibly at no period Of history has our
English speaking race been subjected 10
grOsser humiliOtiOn and wrong than were
the people of Missouri during the years OF
Republican domination extending from the
close Of the war 10 the hour Of Democratic
triumph in 1872
l will not detain you by referring to
Mississippi, Louisiana and other States OF
the South The history of one is the MIS-
tory Of al. II was TO the people the dark
night OF injustice OF wrongsand of outrage.
In many instances illiteraue and corrupt
men were the sworn ministers OF the law.
The administration of jnstice was the
merest mockery. Not content with robbing
the people of their substance, every at
tempt was made by those in power TO To-
ment discOrd and hatred between the two
races.
During the four years of Democratic ad-
ministration Of the National Government,
Northern immigration and Northern cap
ital found their way 10 the South 10 de-
gree unprecedented in our history. Under
Democratic ascendency millions OF North
eru capital sought investment in the
South. It's resources are being developed,
and a career Of prosperity il has not known
since the war is before it.
TIE PURPOSE OF THE FORCE BILL
is by intimidation to control the election
of Representatives in Congress. This is TO
be accomplished by substituting federal
officers for election officers provided by
State law Ia other words, the officers
you have selected are TO be displaced and
their places taken by the agents Of the
party in power. You need not be told
that such legislation argues unmistalably
lack of confidence in the people. This
bill passed the House Of Representatives
of sthe Fifty-frst Congress. Every Re
publican but three voting for it, and
every Democrat voting against IT. with
the aid OF a few Republican Sena-
tors the Democrats were enabled for the
time 70 compass its defeat in the Senate.
A Republican Senator who aided its defeat
declared at the time lit was the most infa-
nous piece of legislation that ever crossed
tho threshold 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 ex-
ecutive approval and would now be upon
your statute books.
As have said, the force bill takes the
election Of Representatives in Congress out
of the hands of the officers provided by
law and gives it to Federal courts. 1t pro-
vides for the appointment by the Federal
courts OF supervisors who are so have
charge Of its execution. To secure its en-
forcement the supervisors are to be backed
by Deputy United States MarShals without
limit. The registration of voters is be un-
der the control Of the supervisors. The
supervisors are TO have the power TO in
spect naturalization papers and
TO INVADE PRIVATE RESIDENCES
in order to make such inspection. Should
the election officers fail promptly to pass
upon the qualifications OF voters, the sup
ervisors at once can do so, administer oaths
and receive the ballot. They are created
sole Judges as 10 whether the election
officers do their duty, and from their de-
clsion there is no appeal. The supervisors
appointed by the federal courts under this
bin, are 10 hold their offices for life. I'm
der the extraordinary powers given by
this bill TO the federal agents who
are 10 supervise the election Of
representatives in Congress, the control of
such elections passes from the hands OF the
people 20 those Of the federal administra-
lion. This law applies to all cities having
a population of twenty thousand, or up
wards. II applies TO country districts eX-
elusive of such cities upon application to
the supervisor by one hundred voters OF
such district. AT the option of less than
one per cent Of the voters to be affected by
it, this law, with all of its harsnness and
great expense, can be put into operation,
and this too without the slightest intima-
tion that Injustice or fraud is contemplated
in the management Of such election.
AsI have said, while this bill Is intended
especially to control elections ln the South,
il may be put into operation in every Con-
gressional district in the United States.
Aside from its utter disregard of the rights
of the voter. its disregard of local govern
ment and of the sanctity Of homes, its ex-
pense would be enormous. II put into
operation in every Congressional district,
as IL may be, il would call into its service
at every polling place federal election Off
GERS aggregating more than three hundred
thousand
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
II has been estimated that its cost at
vour regular Congressional election, If put
into general operation, would fall lit
ne short OF $40 900, 600. This bill in every
line and paragraph breathes distruSt Of
the people. It is totally destructive Of
local self-government. IL would be dill
cult 10 find on any page OF our history a
more daring attempt TO weaken the power
of the people and ceDtralize all power IN
the Federal Government No single officer
entrusted with its execution is elected 0y
the people. From tue judge who makes
the appointment of chief supervisors 10
the lowest deputy marshal entrusted with
its execution, all receive their appoint
ment under Federal authority. The peo-
ple. the source of all political power under
our Constitution, have no voice in the Sc
lection Of those who, under the monstrouS
provisions of this bill, can sport at Will
with their dearest rights.
This legislation. my fellow citizens, is de-
vised in tho spirit Of hate. Can it be poSsl-
BILE the American people will consent 70 the
enactment of q law so hostile to the spirit
of our tree institutions. Legislation which
savOrs only Of vengeance, and the success
ful operation of which would involve the
expenditure of millions OF dollars, and
bring in its train untold horrors. Can IL
he that the hands are now 10 be turned
back upon the dial and the evils through