The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-07-09
The SHOTGUN ISSUE.

"~Southerner" Rake the journal" Fore
and Aft for Its Defence of the Force Bill.
TO the Editor of the Jerseu Citv Neus:-
The EUening Journals editorial of
July 5 under the heading mot a Force.
but a Just Bill" is undoubtedly intended
as an answer to my article which you SO
kindly permitted to appear in last Satur-
days issue of your valuable papsr.
The Journal, after inquiring If those
people Know what they are talking about
(reIer1ng to the meaning of the Force
hlll), continues it's ira shy remarks by
8 wing "The bill to which they refer aud
which was Intended to prevent whole
sale iraud at popular elections. and to
guarantee to homes and %peaceable voters
Inc enjoyment and exercise of their fran
chfse in all the States of this Repu bile,
was uicknamed and stigmatlzed as the
Force bill by its Democratic as~sailants.'
We are all aware that this bill was
~nicknamed. No one ever imagined
that the Infamous scheme of the Repuu-
lean party WAS presented to Congress
under the title of Force Bill" but if it
had, it would undoubtedly have been a
very appropriate name. The thoughtful
Democrats VINO nicknamed this shotgun
issue. Force Bill" should ever receive
the praise of all honest citizens. The
Democratic party, or "those peop.e'' dc
positively known what they are talking
about when they condemn this obnoxious
bill. and al'o know what they. are doing
when they censuro the Republican party
for advocating Federal Interference in
any state election. Ii the Democrats did
not know what thew were talking about,
l am sure they would never seek informa-
tion from the Evening Journal, they
would undoubtedly look to u more intel
lectual source.
(.ilnro ounu 4S AH.~ - A.
New York World plainly and truthfully
informs the public of this Republican
scheme TO monopollze the ballot box III
the following words:-
1.-The next issue is upon the Force hill.
When l say Force bill, l include in 1t
every scheme that contempla es the usrr4
patton of the elective franchise of the
State in the hands of the Federal Govern
ment. This Is Il desperate scheme upon
the part OF the Republican managers. and
must be opposed by every lawfnl means
within our power. 1t admits of no COM
promise whatever, aud endanger,ug us it
does the safety of the Republic it
must be proclaimed pon every
busting and a. every meeting place
where Tree men assemble to discuss their
rights. that this odious measure shall not
be imposed upo us. We take the
ground that Congress shall not add one
single line to the statute as it now exists
regulating The time, place and manner of
holding Congressional and Presidential
elections; that not an additional deputy
marshal or SUI ervisor shall De appointed;
that the military aid of the army shall
not be invoked at the polls, and that no
further attempt shall be, made to inter-
fere with any of the States in regulating
the manner of exercising political suf-
frage within Their own jurisdiction.
Every constitutional power has been
exhausted under existing statutes and
any attempt to enlarge upon them will be
fruitful of disaster and lead to the direst
consequences. The peolle are with Us
upon this issue, and the more we illnmin-
ate it the greater the number of converts
lGWqpp attract to our ranks amoag the
conservative elements of the country,
7whosa4e not as yet prepared, for the par
II sitt purposes of the Republican party,
to destroy the autonomy of every south
ern. commonwealth and, precipitate US to
tie verge of another revolution
These are words of wisdom from, the
lips of a staunch Democrat, who knows
what he is talking about. TIE Evehing
Journal will undoubtedly wish about
next November its editorial had read
"Not a just, but a Force Blu Z sm
so .~e, SOpTHERNER.