The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24
Homo Rule.

Here Is correspondent who thinks that
our views regarding the Force bill and Ne
gro Domination In the South do not agree
with our doctrine respecting tho conduct OF
the rioters at Homestead:
"Hn 10 right to enforce the Constitution and laws
IN Psnnsylvaua. on what ground Of common sense
70 the Force BILL you term ~ Nothing but insuring
tbs right Of every citizen in the Union to deposit his
vote A. he thinks best"
Our correspondent does not state the case
truly: and probably he does not understand
the question. Let us endeavor to enlighten
him. And first Of all he should understand
that we contend for the supremacy OF the
Constitution and the laws everywhere. in
South Carolina as in New York. for black
mon as for white men.
Ever since this Government was formed.
the elections have everywhere been under
the management OF the State authorities
The Federal Administration has had no
authority to control them and has not
undertaken to control them, except in
special cases and to a very limited extent.
See Section 2.O1l OF the Revised Statutes OF
the United States. and sequel
The proposition OF the Force bill Is that
the Federal Administration shall undertake
full control; that 1t shall have an election
law OF Its own to supersede the election laws
OF the States that it shall appoint inspectors
everywhere. who shall determine who may
vote and who may not; and that the forces
OF the regular army shall be employed to
enforce ut the polling precincts the de-
cisions and orders OF these inspectors.
The reasons alleged for q measure so rev.
olutionary and SO unjustihable are. first.
that In some States the negroes who were
formerly slaves and were enfranchised In
consequence Of the civil war. are not allowed
10 vote by the authorities Of the State. or by
the people among whom they live: and. sec
ondlv. that In some places. as in New York
and Boston for instance. men are allowed to
vote by the State authorities who ought
not to be allowed to vote. For this reason
there should be Federal inspectors who will
lot all Republicans vote and reject as many
Democrats as will keep the majority on the
right side.
The Fifteenth Amendment to the Consti-
tuition OF the United States provides that
"the right OF citizens OF the United States
TO vote shall not be denied or abridged by
tho United States or by any State on ac-
count 81 race, color. or previous condition
OF servitude." The Fourteenth Amendment
provides also that, when the right to vote
st any election for tho choice Of electors for
President or Vlce-President OF the United
States. Representatives In Congress- the
executive and judicial officers of the State,
or the members Of the Legislature thereof.
h denied to any OF the male inhabitants of
such STATE. being twenty-one years Of age
and citizens OF the United States. or In any
way abridged. except for participation in
the rebellion or other crime. the basis OF
representation therein shall be reduced In
tho proportion which the whole number Of
such male citizens shall bear to the whole
number OF male citizens twenty -one years
OF ago In such State"
Now, various States at various times have
provided regulations Of the right Of voting.
In Connecticut few years ago no man was
allowed to vote who could not read the
Constitution. In south Carolina. where an
Australian system OF voting has been
adopted. no man can vote who cannot by
himself read and properly mark his
choice among the various sets OF print
Cd ballots thst are put into his hands.
In other States other regulations are
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