Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-21

1872
WASHINGTON, D. c., October 2O.-The
following is the full text Of the speech
of Congressman Anderson, OF West Viz
ginia, in favor Of repeating the Federal
election laws
Mr., Anderson said:
MIR. Speaker: As the result OF pO-
itical victory without parallel in the
history OF the Republic, the Democratic
party finds itself iG control OF the iegis-
lative and executive departments OF our
Governments, and in a position 90 re-
deem it's pledges made 90 the people
BY admitting into she Union States
deficient iD population aud tn many
other elements desirable ln statehood,
and by keeping out OF the Union Terri
tories with much larger populations
aud better equipped 10 al. respects 90
sustain home government, the Republic
cans secured and maintained control OF
the Senate. and no doubt congratulated
themselves that they were too strongly
intrenched in that body TO be- dis.Odged
by the votes of the people.
For twenty years, with rare eXcep-
tionS, the popular branch OF Congress,
TO which thc people elected directly
their Representatives, had been Ia con-
troll OF the Democracy. When, In the
midst OF last years exciting cOudlcR we
believed we would elect our candidate for
President aud a majority OF members OF
the House OF Representatives, we l!tte
hoped 90 Oyerturu the Republican ms
fority in the Senate. Tae political re-
VoIutiou came, and when the verdict Of
the voters had been registered 10 was
found that the party OF high taxes,
monopoly, Capitalization, and force
bills had been regulated TO the rear, and
that the party OF the people would have
opportunity % make good its pledges
Mr.. Speaker, unless the ireemen or
America shall again so far forget their
duty as citizens Us 90 reverse the verdict
rendered last November, and again give
opportunity 90 the Republican party 90
steal away the liberties OF the people Oy
means Of Federal supervision aud con
troll of elections, the danger confronting
the American people last year will
never be estimated or realized. As ] saw
it then, and see 10 now, the future Of
$4,000, coo OF people was trembling ln
the balance and the veal or woe or
republic was 90 be determined by the
result. 10 was the calm, sober, and de-
liberata judgment OF many OF the most
conservative minds in the country that
If the Republicans were successful the
Lodge force bill would become the law
of the laud, 90 be followed by anarchy
race war, revolution, and 10 the end the
destruction Of republican institutions.
Subsequent occurrences have demon
strated beyond question thatthese fears
were well founded. With stern, Un-
Welding, and relentless determination,
we have seen q Republican House or
Representatives encouraged and aOetted
by Republican President, pass most
UBIQUITOUS and MISUNDERSTANDING meas
use, under which the elections OF the
people would be controlled absolutely
y "a entirely by irresponsible Federal
OF the country have but
decided overwhelmingly
sucn methods and such meas
& vet we have seen the Espub-
o this Congress refuse 20 vote;
a seen them break q quorum Ia
10 prevent consideration of bill
.ng for It's object the repeal Of the
deral election laws now IN force. III
jof were needed of their blind devO-
on to the doctrine OF Federal super
Vision Of elections, OF their utter disre-
gard and contempt for the expressed
wishes of a vast majority OF our people,
we had that evidence when we saw the
Republicans in this House refuse 10
vote In order 20 prevent consideration
of the bill under discussion,
I repeat it, unless the people shall
again place the Republican party In
power and thus give them opportunity
10 take away from the States the con-
troll Of their own elections, an Oppor-
tunity which the past history and con-
duet of the Republican party shows 10
would seize upon promptly and act
upon unScruDu.Ously, IL presented, the
country will never realize or appreciate
the dangers to free institutions avoided
by the defesJ OF the Republican party
1t the polls last November.
Those OF us who lived In close aud
doubtful States know with what terce-
ness the political battle ragged, with
what determination our political odyer-
saries contested every inch OF ground,
and with what relief we contemplated
the great victory won by the champions
of free institutions.
Sir, the Republican party is not closer
or more strongly welded 20 the doctrine
Of protection than 10 is 90 Federal coe-
troll Of elections. by the one process
they would rob the masses of their sub
stance, and by the other they would stea.
away the liberties OF the people. The
Democratic party iu COnErdss has been
soIemrIy commissioned bv the Ameri-
can people TO tear down the walks OF
protection and 90 wipe from the statute
books the last vest.ge Of every law
which stands as menace against home
rule. and we cannot too speedily enter
uDon the good work ass. gned us.
Mr.. Speaker, the masses OF our re-
public have suffered long and grievouS-
" from the unequal and oner0us bur
dens imposed upon them by unfair class
legislation: they have been patient un-
der most eXGsperaJiug aud trying cir
cunstances. aud tha revolt of last year
was a rebellion OF the oppressed against
the demands of the most eTacting task
makers. Sir, the people of this country
are terribly in earnest and will not
brook tridng or delay. Taey have
trusted and coufded l0 the Democratic
party, and We, as their agents, but per-
form the trust cOr6ied 70 Us aud keep
faith with the people when we by legis-
lation destroy the twin evils OF high
tariff aud force bin legislation.
Sir. the existence OF any law that au-
tborizes the interference on the part OF
the Federal officials with the elections