The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-27
IN THE HOUSE.
Debate On the Bill Repeating the Fed
eral Election Lava Begun.


WAsHIxeTov Crry. Sept. 26.--The two
weeks debate on the bill TO repeal the
Federal election laws opened In the house
this morning. The galleries were we'll
filed. an unusual number OF negroes be-
ing present. showing their interest IN the
matter. Tucker of Virginia. author of the
bill. opened for the Democrats. He began
by pointing out that the right 90 vote was
NOT given by the United States, but by the
constitution Of the states. He held II the
powers Of supervisors and deputy mar
shals permit them to perform acts not
granted In the constitution. then the Law
that creates them IL unconstitutional and
the states alone can make the conditions
Of suffrage That being the case the
United States could not step in and make
conditions. Ii involved the power of the
Federal government TO destroy suffrage IN
the states. Tucker then proceeded to pay
his respects to John |. Davenport, whose
atrocities, he said, were more infamous
than those of the Duke of Alva. 'The
repeal of these laws" said Tucker, in con-
ciusion, will wipe away statutes that
have caused ciashing between the Federal
government and the states for thirty
years" II belong to party that 10 not
sectional" said Tucker. "You." he
added, addressing the Republicans. "have
lived on sectionalism. You have violated
the pledges of your fathers. overriddcn
the constitution. denied the right of
habeas corpus and in thousand ways
shown yourself unworthy of public conf
dence. Therefore, on November last,
YOU were overthrown and ne are now here
to undo those things which you did in the
arrogance of your power"
johnson OF North Dakota, In charge Of
the debate for the Republican side. pre-
sented the minority report OF the commit
tee as embodying his views. Dolliver of
Iowa was TO have replied TO Tucker. but
sudden illness prevented. and Brosius of
Pennsylvania was selected 10 take his
place. Hc appealed, be said, to patriot
fsrsa, not partisanship. Authority was OBJ
tanned either by force or consent Consent
was the only manner In which authority
was acquired under this government.
outrage il O mode of expressing consent.
After the war conditions arose that were .
menace 20 the liberties OF weak race
Those in the South who had power took
and held il against the weak. We had to
nrotect those whom We had seen fight 10y
ally and calamity for their freedom. The
act passed in 1855 authorizing the army
and navy 10 maintain peace at the polls,
more drastic than the present laws. were
endorsed by some of the most iiiustrious
men who ever honorcd the Democratic
nartv by their service. The Democrats
claim the power OF the Federal government
should not be exercised because IL may ir-
r;tate the states to deeds of violence.
Shauef You intend that the political
power OF the negro among white men on
ih;. continent shall cease: that the con-
stitutiokal rights Of isSoo,o people shall
be destroyed
No one else being ready to proceed with
the debate. motion 10 adjourn was made,
Reading which Delegate Flynns tDkla-
hnmal resolution calling for Information
,~on the war department. regarding the
actions OF the military when the cherokes
ssrin Was opened was reported back to the
house. Delegate Flynn got the hoor and
.aid he proposed IN the near future 70 ask
sny ,he massage OF q resolution 20 investi-
cate the matter from the time when the
cherokees were allotted land down 20 the
rrssspt time. The point Of no quorum
vas raised. and the house adjourned.
The tR4EFSt eteEktpH laws NSf1 DA&SE1
aurInr the years 1870, 1871. is72. 1873 and
is74. After providing that persons en-
titled 10 vote shall be permitted 20 do so.
and that penalties shall be exacted for
wrongfuiIy refusing to receive their votes
and for nnIaxfaiiy hindering them IN the
exerciss of the suffrage, u - enacted that
in cities and towns of over I.Dvo tnhaos-
tants two eitixens, or IN aBy county ten
citizens, mar petition the circuit court Of
the Tinted states for. the guarding and
serstsnixing OF registration and elections,
and the court, on receipt OF their psfatton,
shasl appoint tao citizens OF Different
rolit.cxl parties 10 be supervisors of esee-
tion. The .upeTyirnss are required 10
attend az the registration booths and
at elections. and personally 10 in-
snect and scrusinize the registry lists and
lo detect and expose unlawful registration
AZ the polls they are 70 challenge persons
whose offer 70 vote they suspect 20 be
illegal, and they are 10 scratsnize the
manner in which the voting - done ard
the method In which ~ the poll s.c'oks
are keps. 10 zee that all the proceedings
are in conformity With the Ian. " th<y