Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-27
CONSIDERING The TUCKER BILL

WASHINGTON, D. c.. September 90
The galleries OF the House were well
filled this morning, In anticipation OF
the opening Of debate on the bill to re-
peal the federal election laws. There
was a particularly heavy attendance in
the long puOIic gallery opposite the
Speakers chair, which is known as the
"black belt" The massing OF negroes
in the galleries indicated the great In
terest they manifest in the result Of the
present struggle.
The two weeks debate on the Tucker
bill was begun by Mr. Tucker the
author Of the bill, who opened for the
Democrats. 10 a few words he eX-
planned the provisions OF the repeal bill.
The first proposition TO which be In
vited attention was that the power and
right OF a citizen TO vote is not giyn by
the United States, but 10 reserved by
the constitution to the States. IL the
powers and privileges and duties Of the
supervisors and deputy marshals per-
NIT them to perform acts not prescribed
aud granted in the constitution, then
the law that creates them is unconsti-
tutional. States alone can make condt-
tlons Of suffrage. The UnitedStates, Mr..
Tucker went on 70 say, had not con-
ferred the right Of suffrage on anybody.
Decisions OF the courts sustaining this
statement were read. That being the
case, If the United States could step in,
challenge votes and lay down cOndi-
tions Of suffrage, it involves the power
of the Federal government 10 destroy
suffrage ia the States.
II belong 90 a party that is not sec
tional. You" be added, addressing the
Republicans, "have lived on sectional
ism. You have violated the pledges of
your fathers, have overridden the con-
stitutiou, have denied the right OF
habsQs corpus, and in a thousand ways
show yourself IN worthy OF public con-
tidence. Therefore on November 6,
last, YOU were overthrown, and we are
now TO undo those things which you did
60 the arrogance Of your power"
Prolonged Democratic applause greet
ed the conclusion OF Mr.. fuckers
speech, and be was warmly congratu-
lated by his colleagues.
Mr. johnson, Of North Dakota, who
was in charge OF the debate for the Re-
publican side, presented the minority
report of the Committee as embodying
his views.
Mr. Dolliver, OF Iowa, was TO have
replied TO Mr. Tucker, but a sudden ILL
ness prevented, and Mr.. Brosius, OF
Penusylvania, was selected to take his
place.
There was q ring OF the old war
echoes in his speech. He appealed, he
said, to patriotism, not partisanship.
Authority was obtained either by force,
lot. or consent. Consent is the only
manner In which authority is acquired
under this government. Suffrage Is q
mode OF expressing the consent After
the war conditions arose that were a
menace 70 4 weak race, struggling with
new born rights and responsibilities.
Those in the South who had the power
tsok and held IL against the weak.
Under the new regime we had TO pro-
tect those whom we had seen fight 10y
ally and valiantly for their freedom.
To have surrendered them naked and
defenselesS would have been reDroach
90 the national honor and have evoked
the deserved censure Of the civilized
world.
Mr.. Compton, Of Maryland, wanted
20 sknOW why this doubtful power
OF political supervision had not been
worked before the war.
Because" replied Mr.. Broslus, "the
fathers never conceived the foul means
YOU would use 10 dispossess citizens OF
their rights Of suffrage" Applause on
the Republican side.
No one else being ready to proceed
with the debate q motion to adjourn
was made. The point Of no quorum
was raised and the House adjourned.