The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-26
Tho Ped estal of the Force Bill.

To-day the debate over the Federal Elec-
tions bill. enacted by the Republicans in
1871, is scheduled to begin; and this debate
will mark the beginning of the end Of that
unnecessary and iniquitous measure Of
tyranny and bulldozing. the pedestal on
which the Republicans in 1892 hoped to
place the browning outrage OF the Force bill
The Democracy is bound to do away with it.
For many years Democratic conventions
have spoken the popular protest against
this hateful reminder OF the rule of martial
law. and the suspension OF constitutional
rights and safeguards; but the Democrats
have been helpless to wipe it off the statute
books. II they have had control OF the
House OF Representatives. the Senate
has been in Republican hands. II they
had control Of the Senate. the Republicans
have had the Presidency. If they have had
the Presidency, the Republicans have had
the Senate. This year, for the first
time since the passage of the bill. the
Democrats have all three. Presidency.
Senate. and House OF Representatives ;
and nothing but the clamor and cutlery
OF the Republican minority bars the way
to the repeal. SO long deferred. of this I'M
Unsuitable scheme Of Federal Interference
In State elections. Against the impera-
tive demand OF a great popular majority
OF the voters. made impressive by the
record of every electoral vote in every
Southern State for the Democratic side in
the last three Presidential elections. refrac-
tory Republican opposition should not be
permitted to hinder or embarrass the per-
formance Of grave patriotic duty.
Davenportism. bulldozing. black mar
Bhals at the polls to harass white voters,
tho rule Of mercenaries picked up for the
occasion by Republican managers and
workers. wholesale arrests of innocent and
law-abiding electors and their incarceratio
without subsequent trial. remedy. or re-
dress: the whole hateful system must 20,
never to be revived
Proper opportunity for free debate has
been afforded to those Republican members
Of Congress who had anything to say in ex-
tenuation or condonement Of the system.
which has brought upon their candidates
30 much reproach. And it Is by all
means desirable that they should say
whatever can truly be said. in justification
OF the action of their party and its repre-
eentatives on this question in the past. On
Oct. 10 the vote will be taken.
Some Republicans. noting the signs on
the political horizon. and hoping for a
respite for their policy of intimidation. are
extoling the advantages OF delay. There
will be no election for Congressman this
year. and the Federal Elections law
will be imperative until 1894. they say.
Very true. But the slender Democratic
majority in the United States Senate NAV
become imperative by that time. too AS
now constituted. the Senate consists Of A
Democrats. 81 Republicans. and Populists.
There are three vacancies in three Republic
can prO-silver States. Washington, Wyo-
ming. and Montana. Mr. HARRISON carried
all three in November. The Democrats base
no expectation on a gain Of a Senator In
any OF them; and without such gain they
are not secure in their lead in the Senate,
should the Republicans and Populists act
together.
There is no time like the present for re-
peaIing the statutes which permit Federal
with State elections. A bird in
the hand is worth many in the bush. The
Burest way to dispose OF the matter def
pitely is TO repeal the law without delay.