The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-18
The Force BILL Issue.

A few days ago Senators German and
Ransom asked the editor Of the New York
Sun 10 prepare an article on the force bill,
to form part Of the democratic campaign
book, giving the ''origin, history and char
aeter OF that awful measure The editor
| Of the Sun said that his duties we're 90 oner-
Gus that he had not time to comply with the
request. He suggested that Senator Hill be
asked to write the article. He said he kne"
Of no one who could do tbs subject better
Justice. It is probable that the suggestion
will be acted upon.
Senators German and Ransom appreciate
fully the Importance of tie force bill issue
Senator German led the fight against the
force bill in the Fifty first congress, and II
was due to his efforts, to a very great ex'
tent, that 1t was defeated. Its defeat was
received throughout the south with great
rejoicing. 1t was felt that great calamity
had been escaped-a calamity that would
have psralyzed the industrial energies OF
the southern states and checked their ma
terial progress.
But, strange as 1t may seem, there are
southern men who are now disposed to make
light Of the force bill issue. The leaders or
the Peoples party say they are opposed TO
the force bill, but, at the same time, they
| speak Of IL as a matter of minor importance.
They do this, not because they do not Know
that a force bin would do the south almost
incalculable injury, but because they are
afraid that il they should admit that 1t Is
pregnant with evil, and take a strong stand
against it, they would lose no: only many OF
their members, but also the support which
they expect to get from the Republican
party. The position they occupy is this:
They would rather have the force bill than
TO fail in their efforts TO defeat the Demo-
cratic party.
But surely there are very few southern
men who are willing to occupy such a
position. The interest of every man In the
south who has anything at stake is against
the force bill. The bill means a return to
the condition of affairs that existed during
the carpet-bag period. 1t means ignorance
in high places. 10 means corrupt govern
ment and high taxes. 1t means negro
domination wherever the blacks are in the
majority, or wherever whites join
the blacks in sufficient numbers to make
majority.
The southern people might as well look
at the situation exactly as ii is. II the Re-
publican party gets control of congress at
the next election aud re-elects Gen. Harri-
son force bill will be passed. That party
announces in its platform its purpose to
pass that bill.
1t pretends that 1t wants free aud fair
elections. What it really wants is the
means to keep itself in power. The force
bill furnishes the means, because 1t gives
the Warrington government control of
elections.
II Gen. Harrison and a'republican cons
gress should be elected one of the first acts
Of the next congress would be the passing
of the force bill. Then returning boards,
controlled by republicans, would be created
and republican supervisors of elections
would be chosen. Deputy marshals by the
thousands would be appointed and the
whole power Of the army and navy would
be employed, II necessary, to carry out the
purposes Of the Republican party.
Those who tell the people that the force
bill issue is Of little Importance are mislead-
ing them. They should not be trusted.
They would rather risk having an infamous
law fastened upon the country-a law that
would obstruet the south's prosperity and
cloud her fGture-than have the chances
for the success Of their party lessened.