The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-11-04

tered a political party upon the common
treasury, and betrayed its campaign ex-
penses from the proceeds of common
tsxation-eXpenses moderately estimated
| at $l5 600 900 or $20, 900, 600 for each
execution Of the iaN-without note of
| the inevitable popular commotons a
measure so odi0us and tyrannical would |
necessarily have provoked, and the con
sequent employment of the army in all |
! parts Of the country.
1t need hardly bcsaid that the force |
bill was obviously and wholly unconsti- |
tutional. 1t would, in fact, have
wrought the total subversion of our rep
resentative system, and it was because it |
would have done so that it was brought |
forward by the desperate chiefs of the |
party and overwhelmingly defeated in
the elections of the previous year. It
was based upon bold and insolent per
version of the proper power of congress
to regulate" elections in certain con-
tingencies aud certain respects; but, in
stead of regulating, it obtruded fed
aFal machine, maintained by federal
money and backed by federal forces, to
"hold" the elections and determine the
results. The suggestion of the remotest- ]
possibility of such an abuse of power
would have caused the rejection of the
constitution. Even the limited power
to regulate, in very remote contingen
cies, alarmed our vigilant ancestors, and
the constitution was ratified by the
states with the distinct understanding,
and, in numerous instances, with the dis
tinct declaration, that it was to be ex
crcised only in default of proper provis-
ion by the states themselves. Alexander
Hamilton, strongest for strong govern
mcnt, insisted that the use of the con
ceded power under any other circum
stances than those, or for any purpose
; but to insure representation when actual
default was imminent, would be a mon
strous wrong, which it was not suppos
able could ever occur, but which, ii it
did occur, would certainly provoke and
t amply justify revolution
= But the fifty first congress was appar-
entity in the hands of the enemies of the
T constitution and of the people. 1t was
: seemingly prepared for any usurpation
| upon the one or the other, which the in
: terest of corrupt political conspirators,
in coalition with a vast combination of
T. business monopolies, might require.
e Their fixed purpose was plainly to reim
: burse the monopolies for their outlay in
late elections by tax laws, increasing
o their already enormous private exactlons
e from the substance of the people, and
o then to perpetuate the power of the
9 grasping coalition by a system of so
called elections which would strangle
y almost any conceivable popular ma jority.
!, In the house this remarkable conspi-
g racy against both the liberties and the
e property of the country was completely
t successful. The monopoly tariff bill was
RS duly accompanied by the monopoly force
y bill. 1t was in the senate-the body
n farthest removed from the people, and
IF where the least resistance was to have
& been expected-that the force bill was
r checked, and the ancient right of free
O. men to choose their representatives., IN
le der home laws and home agencies, waE
s successfully defended thr ough all tie
7, stages of the most memorable parianen
" tary struggle of modern times. On NJ
a field of battle, at no dread moment in tn,
It whole history of our race, were the es
in sential liberties of-the people ever NOR
y, clearly at stake or ever more gallant.
N rescued
al Can any reasonable man doubt tha
ci- the desperate leaders who, in that con
al gress, were ready to revolutionize tn
ey time hOnoIed methods of procedur
10 which had obtained from the institutio
er OF the government in order to pass thi
nd measure, would rush it through the nc
ey ment they should be given the power?
an President Harrison said, III his annua
message:
he Extract from the Annual Message OF BENZ;
he min Harrison to Congress- Deem
- ber 3, 1889.
~ ''But, notwithstanding all this, i
40 many parts Of our country where the co
20 ored population is large, the people {
ce that race are, by various devices, dt
ou prived of any effective exercise of thei
vi political rights, and of many OF the;
'ns civil rights. The wrong does not expen
>, itself upon those whose votes are SUI
his pressed. Every constituency in tt
eat Union is wronsed."
40. ''When is that eqality of intluent
II which our form Of government was il
net tended to secure to the electors to be r.
of stored2 This generation should courag
the ously face these grave questions, and NJ
red leave them a heritage of woe to tt
,cb next. The consolation should procee
,nt with candor, calmness, and great p
irs tience, upon the lines of justice ar
ent humanity, not of prejudice and cruelty
the
.ast Il earnestly invoke the attention
"a congress to the consideration of SUE
IA measures within its we'll defined cons
roo tutiODal powers as will secure to all o
.eS people a free exercise of the right of ST
frage and every other civil right unti
arr the constitution and laws of the Unit,
States. The colored m
act- should be protected in all of his relatio
ned to the federal government, whether
I'M litigant juror, or witness in our cour
as an elector for members of congress,
on as peaceful traveller upon our int
The state railways"
ing Extracts from the Annual Message of Ben
.;o7 min Harrison to Congress,
'i0' December l, 1890.
1oh 'In my last annual message sugg
"a ted that the development of the exist
aul. law providing federal supervision
'0o' congressional elections offered an eff
up tive method of reforming these abus
us The need of such a law has manifest
slos itself in many parts Of the country. a
1t VI its wholesome restraints and penalt
ecC' will be useful in all The CONSTITUTE.
as ality of such legislation has been firm
iin- by the Supreme court. Its proba
very effectiveness is evidenced by the char
ume - tb, nn,,os;t;on that is made. to
ople T. has been denounced as if it wer
ord ao1u eyarc,Sa of federal mower ard
pops invasion of the rights of the states "
ut it < i (
the ct is not, therefore. question whe
oons er we stall have a federal election |,
rory for we now have one, and have had
inns nearly twenty wears, but whether
shall have an effective law. The p
q IN ent law stops just short of effectlven
CT OF for it su,renders to the local authori
rallel all control over the certifcation WI
oun- establishes the prima facia right to
Is IL in the house of representa- tivcs. This
con g.. oho,,ld La ourad