New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-03
AGAINST HONEST ELECTIONS
HOUSE DEMOCRATS GO ON RECORD.
AN ATTACK on TIE ELECTION LAW UNDER
COVER OF AN AMENDMENT TO TIE
SrNDRY CIVIL ELL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.J
Washington. Feb o.-The Democrats In the House
Of Representatives to day placed themselves squarey
on record In favor not only of repeating the existing
election laws of the United States but also of pro
vision which, IL enacted, will make those laws in
operative until they shall he repealed. The oppor-
tupty which they seized to do this offered by Mr.
Fitch. OF New-York. who introduced an amendment
providing that OF the money appropriated by tile
pending bill or any future shall be used to pay
fees OF election officers, except in where they
shall make oath to the facts constituting the offence
and alleging them TO be within their personal Enow-
edge" Under the law it has stood for more than
twenty years complaints have been made and prose
cutlOns instituted for offences against the election
laws based on afdavits setting forth the facts on
information and belief" AS every intelligent man
knows who is at all conversant with the execution Of
these laws the enactment OF the Fitch amendment
will render them nuGatory.
A point OF order was promptly interposed against
the amendment. and Mr. Boutclle who was. usual.
! alert and viglant. made strong speech III support
of the point and against the amendment. 1t was
o speech which aroused the Republicans AM put them
on their mctc. and ii was rewarded with hearty
applause on the Republican sido Mr. Botelle remon-
| srated with the Democrats and protested against an
insidous attempt to do by indecon and under cover
that which, IL done at all, ought TO be done directly
! and openly.
| Mr.. Fitch. who. as member Of the Republican
earnestly and heartily supported the election laws
| and the administration Of them in New-lork City
facts OF which he reminded 10 day-cut rather q
sorry figure in his reply TO Mr. Bouelle. and yet he
appeared to better advantage than did Mr.. Rockwell
! OF the Elmira district who delivered a
/ fiery harangue In opposition 10 the 80 dious'
election laws. lie was subsequently reminded by
Mr.. Boutellc that his seat had been awarded to
another by majority of the Democratic Elections
Commute, Of the present House Mr.. Boutene was
not surprised TO hear Mr. Rockwell declainiDg against
honest elections and declaring that laws TO secure them
ara " odiOus."
| The Chairman Of the Committee Of the wholc-Mr
Lester Of Georgia-of course decided that the Fitch
amendment was In order. basing his decision on TIE
ground that point OF order had been raised
against the para graph 10 which the amendment was
offered and which. in his opinion. was obnoxious to
the rule. 1t would difficult. II not impossible. u
! find IA precedent for this decision, and from 1t Mr.
Raw of NewYork. appealed I'm order 10 get an oppor
tnnity TO reply not only TO the remarks OF McssrS
| Fitch and Rockwell. but also to expose the mis-
statements and grOundess assertion contained IN ID,
| report prepared and submitted 10 the House las
week by Mr.. Fitch In behalf OF tho Democratic ma
jority OF the select committees appointed to nves
gate the administration Of tie election laws In New
York City. AS n member Of the minority OF tina
lcommttee Mr.. Ray devoted much time to the Inquiry
and matters relating TO 1t. synopsis OF tho views
OF the minority prepared BY him was published u
these dispatches Monday. Ills speech To-Day was
an admirable one. strong. logical puhgeht anu
bristling with facts In support OF MS argument
against the amendment and in favor OF the MAIN
tcnance Of laws designed and calculated TO prcVen
fraudulent registration and preserve the purify u
the ballot box. , ,, oo,, n-o
lduced absolutely impression whatever upon lh'
Democratic majority which sat impatient ana eagcl
to place itself record in favor OF sweeping AMY
every safeguard provided TO prevent frauds IN
for Representatives in Congress. The fllch nHicnu
ment was carried by Democratic majority OF NOR,
Than 100 in the Committee OF the Whole. ana tha'
action was afterward confirmed by u stlll laree
majority after the bill reported 10 TIE IipuSe
evcry Democrat present and voting was recorded II
favor of II and every Republican against IT, IL wa
NOTED tJat none OF the Populst members voted fo
| The amendment.