Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-26
WHAT rHE FORCE BILLS AND WHAT
IT MEANS

IN the next breath it defends the pro-
visions Of the Force Bill and attempts
to show why it and every good Har-
rlsonian Republican in the land is
heartily in favor Of making it law,
while its editor takes the stump to de-
fend it. On this point our neighbor's
readers must be in state of confusion
bordering on frenzy.
The TntcIigencer knows that If the
Republicans are successful at the CON-
ing election the Force bill will be made
law. 1t is indorsed in the Republican
platform, in Mr. HARRIsoN's letter Of
acceptance aud by the Republican press
and speakers.
But they declare there is no more
force in the bill than there is any
other federal law. Just there is
where they dodge the question. In
the North il would be largely inOpera-
tive. because the Republican authorities
would not dare to march soldiers to
the polls in States like New York, New
Jersey and Indiana. The measure is
intended for the Democratic South
alone. The North has never had ex-
perlence Of the practical operations Of
such a law, but the South has, and
nearly every Southern voter can recall
the horror and misery Of the recon-
strucuon days, which continued until
President GRANT, by ordering the
troops out Of the South, put an end to
it ALL
1t was that which made the South
solidly Democratic, aud it is the threat
Of a recurrence Of that condition which
will cause the South to give a solid vote
against the Republican party in this
election.
Here are the provisions Of the in
famous measure which the IltelJiencer
and it's party defends, as given in an
article in the Baltimore Nelos, written
by Senator FAULKNER, Of West Vir-
ginia. he says:
The Democratic speakers and press have
not misrepresented the purpose or scope OF
this measure. Popular sentiment has
promptly indorsed the position they have
taken. by changing us legal title and re-
cOguizing 10 By that which gives express
sion 20 It's intent. 10 is in the language OF
the people a Force Bjlln a brief analy-
sis OF Us prominent features will convince
any doubling THOMAS of the correctness OF
it's designation,
A Federal Circuit Judge, whose tenure
of Office is for life, is given the power 70
appoint in each judicial district of his cir.
cult an officer known as the Supervisor Of
Elections, which office he shall hold Tor
life
Into the hands of this single officer is
placed the entire election machinery crea-
Ted by this bill, covering a territOy in the
State of West Virginia limited only by its
boundaries; ne controls the appointmentOt
supervisors at every precinct In the State,
who are TO pass upon the qualifications OF
the voters: he is given the extraordinary
power of selecting one-third Of the Deputy
United States Marshals, although he is re-
sponsiOle for their conduct. He even has
the power conferred upon him Of COnven-
ing the Circuit Courts when, In his ludg-
ment, he deems it proper. That frauds
upon the ballot may more tearlesSly be
perpetrated, he is authorized to transfer
the supervisors living in one end Of a Con
gressiOual district TO any other portion OF
the district; to pass upon the right and
qualification OF q citizen to deposit his
ballot.
This is one Of the most ingenious devices
provided iu the bin for the preparation OF
frauds upon the ballot. Unknown men are
brought from a distant portion Of the dis
triCt Ou the morning Of the election, known
not 20 q single voter iu the precinct, and
who knows no one ia the locality, TO deter
mine finally and without appeal upon the
rights Of tue citizen TO vote.
They may reject ballots even after they
are deposited in the ballOt-6OX, during the
count, aud, after perpetrating any con-
Ceiva0le fraud upon the ballot without fear
of detection. they may leave as they came,
before sun up the next morning. He can
order "a house to house canvass, where the
life and history of the citizen must be laid
bare for the inspection Of his agents, under
the heaviest penalties for refusal; he is
given authority to remove at will any super
visor or deputy marshal who attempts 10
prevent or expose any fraud that he desired
or cOnnived at; the history and life OF
every uatUraized citizen, the time and
place of naturalization, and the witnesses |
on whose evidence he was adj
mitted 20 citizenship, with their residence,
must be given 70 him, the certificate OF the
Court not being regarded as sufficient or
even prima t2cie evidence Of his rights he
is authorized 10 have his agents as spies
upon both Federal and State Courts, to In
tUrfere with their duties as provided by
law iu the naturalization OF aliens, ana 10
order such reports from supervisor and mar
snals. as TO the proceedings on the day of
election, which eX-parte reports are laid
before q Board of CanvaSsers, appointed
by Circuit Judge who holds his Office for
life, and on whom is conferred the power,
upon these eX-parte statements OF the mere
tools of partisan power, TO exercise judi
cial functions in the canvassiug of returns
on which the certificate of the member Of
Congress is given, which certificate is to
supersede the certificate of the Governor
of the State, and shall control the clerk OF
the House OF Representatives in placing
the name of the person on its roll. An ap
peal, from the decision of the CanvasSing
Board TO the Circuit Court, is rendered
uugatOry, as the Judge is limited IN exami-
nation of the case TO the face OF the re-
turns and the eX-parte statements Of the !
supervisors and deputy marsnals,
Such power has never been conferred
upon any set Of officers by auy one Of the
f0rtv-fOur States of this Union. Its
machinery starts with the supervision of
registration, attempts tOinhuence the mind
of the Registrar Oy the severest penalties If |
his acts are not ia accord with the views OF
this Federal Spy. 10 invades the sanctity !
of the home by any brutal agent appointed /
Co maze a house 10 house statement; it |
makes the ex-parte statements OF paid |
political agents, evidence upon which 10 /
throw out returRs OF precincts; it clothes /
the Cauvassiug Board with aOsOlue prOtee- I
80, g., en-, Y,af.r,crr.st zion Of ifs frauds nv /