The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-04
vxprrAL INTERFERENCE.

4
The Republican and Third party men
| have sought ever since the campaign
h.gan 10 convey the idea that tine
r,orce bill was a bugaboo." paraded be-
Gore the eyes OF the people for the pur-
nose OF frightening them into support
., the Democracy; but II anyone mas
ever been inclined TO believe any such
nonsense. all he has to do IL to look AT
Tho tactics which the Republicans are
rov adoptIng They have no Ideal Force
hill at their back, but they are COMING
az near as possible to Force bill methods.
| Already they have begun the work OF
| naturalization in this city by arresung
nemocratic registrars on the himsiest
OF pretexts. but this is nothing compared
N what they are trying to do In New
York. Alabama and other States.
In New York the ballot law OF the
State requires that no Federal super
visor can enter the polling places or
booths with a voter for any purpose
whatever. nor can he go within the guard
rail of the polling place any more IMAM
~ he we're a private citizen. Anyone
no he citizen or Official who violates TINS
nrovision OF the law is liable TO arrest
and heavy penalties. and the law was
passed expressly to prevent intimidation
or bribery OF voters, and to guaro any
nerson from being, in any way Whatever
interfered with in the exercise or MS
,4t N
State law forbids any person. ofilcial OF
rrivate individual, from coming WITHIN
thirty feet Of the polling places, ana this
law was also passed for the same pur-
nose as that in New York and other
States. who have adopted the Australian
or similar ballot systems
Now the Federal Republican Govern
ment is seeking to override ana nuiiiiy
these State laws for the purpose. II posi-
bile. OF Illegally and forcibly carrying the
elections for their party. Attorney-Gen-
eral Miller has issued circular opinion
TO the effect that, under United states
laws. Federal supervisors have rlght
IN enter polling places or booths under
the pretext OF preserving the peace ana
ensuring free ballot and fair count
and that II State laws conflict with THIS
right. such laws are void, as Federal
laws are paramount.
The real purpose Of the authorities at
Washington in taking the position is
too plain to be concealed. They know
that there will be a free ballot ana
fair count without any interpostion on
their part. but that is exactly what they
are afraid Of. They are. therefore, seek
ing both to intimidate Democratic voters
and. at the same time. to take advantage
Of their Interpretation Of the law 10
break down the State barriers against
bribery and corruption. In other words
they are endeavoring by comforting and
confusing existing Federal statutes as FAR
as they can, to establish as much or a
Force law as possible in the absence OF
one more stringent.
II this does not show beyond any cavil
or question what the tendency OF the
Radical party is. and that such tendency
is towards controlling elections by force,
fear and fraud, It would be hard TO un-
derstand what 1t does show. 1t is simply
a foretaste Of what the Republicans
will do If they ever have the power, and
II they are successful in the election next
Tuesday, and again find themselves IN
control Of all the departments OF the
Government they will introduce and pass
a Federal election law. e., a Force bill
lust as sure as fate. Any white man.
therefore, who votes against the Demo-
cratic party next Tuesday-or any Demo-
Graf who gives a half vote to the Repub-
lican-Third party by staying away from
the polls-will vote for n Force bill which
will threaten the liberties Of the whole
Union, but will utterly destroy the South,
politically, materially and socially.