Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-08-24
The Force Biu AmaIvxed.

enumeration of the provisions of the Force
bill passed by the Republican House of
Representatives in 1890;
"The Republican party is pledged to the
enactment of a Federal Election law. |
have before me, as write, the bill passed
by the last Republican house on that sub
ject. This bill may be fairly considered as
an authoritative expression of the kind and
character of law which Republican success
at the next election will iDfict upon us.
II can not, within the proper scope ofsuch
a letter as this, enumerate all its remarka-
bic provisions.
at gives to the Judges of the United
States Circuit Courts the power of appoint
ing election officers of the States. 1t gives
to the election officers so appointed the
power to designate an unlimited number of
deputy marshals, who may be employed for
number of days prior to each election, at
So per day A thousand or more might be
appointed in each Congr ssional district in
Georgia.
at authorizes the use Of the armies of
the United States to preserve the peace at
the polls.
at gives the Judges of the United States
Courts the power of appointing canvass
ing or returnin2 board for each State, who
shall certify whom the people have elected
to Congress.
at requires the Clerk of the House OF
Representative to place on the roll of mem
bers elect the names of the persons holding
such certificates so that they may particl-
pate as members in the organization of the
House.
at authorizes officers of the United
States to supervise and control the registra-
ton of voters.
at authorizes such officers to make a
house to- house canvass, 10 ascertain the le-
gality of any registered voter
at provides for the payment OF all these
officers out Of the Federal treasury, and au-
thorizes the employment of many of them
for as much as eight days before an election.
"And, finally, it makes permanent appro-
priation of your money for the execution ol
the law.
"This enumeration of the provisions OF
the bill, meager though it is, must make ii
plain to all men that if it were enacted into
law. the people would lose al! voice in the
selection or control of the officers who man
age and certify the result Of their election
"a Judge of the Circuit Court of the
United States, who is himself appointed by
the President and holds his Office for life
appoints the election officer. All these
Judges, save two, are Republican in politics
If election officers abuse or betray theiI
trust, they are not responsible to the people
The source Of their power and authority /;
the Judge who appointed them. If Re-
publican Judge, to advance the interests Of
his party, abuses his trust, he would not
should this bill become law-be response
BILE to the people. Our Constitution In
tended that he should be, and to that END
lodged in the peoples representatives IL
Congress the power of impeachment, but
this law removes that responsibility by per-
mitting the appOintee of the Judge to de-
termine who is your duly elected Represen
tative. If partisan Judge appoints parti
san election officers, who falsely certify
that he whom You have defeated at the
polls is your duly elected Representative
what remedy have you? The partisan elec
ton officers are alone responsible to the
partisan Judge, and the partisan Judge car
only be impcached by Representatives IL
Congress who hold their offices by virtue o
a certificate from the partisan election off
GERS. This is 4 mockery of responsibility