Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-14
VIEWS OF THE MINORITY.
A Statement by Republican Members
of the Elections Committee.

A Statement by Republican Members
of the Elections Committee.
The reason for the policy pursued by the
republican members of the elections COM
mittee In refusing to vote on the report on
the federal elections repeal bill was thus
explained by Mr.. Johnson of North Dakota,
the senior minority member:
Although we had promised at the last
meeting not to obstruct the majority in its
purpose to bring the bill before the House.
we had not committed ourselves to any ac-
tive assistance in furthering their plans or
purposes. Recognizing that the country is
In the midst OF severe financial disturb
ance, to relieve which Congress had been
called In extraordinary session. the republi-
cans felt that they could not, by their votes,
be in anywise responsible for precipitating
bitter partisan debate. such as this bill
Is likely to lead to, upon Congress before
measures for the financial relief Of the
| country had been perfected. So We kept
still"
The views OF the minority were drawn by
Mr.. Johnson and signed by Messrs Curtis
Mcdowell. Northway and Hainer.
Following is an extract:
"The expediency OF passing these laws in
| the first place. or now retaining them upon
the statute books, opens up a large indeed
a limitless, field of thought and discussion
In passing Judgment as to the effect Of any
law a few relevant facts are more useful in
enabling US to reach just conclusion than
! a world Of beautiful Illustration. If we had
a faithful picture of the condition Of affairs
in any given locality after the machinery
had been in operation few years the COM
parsons and contrasts would be OF great
| service.
Fortunately two such pictures have
been left upon the records of this House
in the shape of reports of special commit
tees, including the testimony by which the
conclusions are supported. Both relate to
elections In the city of New York. One by
80 Nl-t0 7
| 1869. and the other by Hon. 8. s. Cox of
New York, March 3, 1877.
THE mention Of this particular locality
Is with all due respect and with no inten-
| ton of leaving the inference or impress
sion that ofrenses against the purity, and
especially the freedom Of the ballot, have
| not occurred elsewhere to as great an ex-
| tent, especially when regard is had to pop
ulation, wealth, concentration of pOwer,
| greatness of the political prizes co;itcnded
| for and especially the geographical loca-
| ton Of New York city, whose situation is
| such to enable offenders against state
laws to escape from the territorial juris-
| diction Of the state in fifteen minutes"
| Extracts from each OF these reports are
| quoted-frst from that of Mr.. Lawrence.
| whose bill was made the essential ground
work Of the federal election laws enacted
| In 1870; second, from that of Mr.. Cox of
i March g. 1877, from a committee charged
with the duty of Investigating hotly con-
| tested presidential election in the cities OF
New York Brooklyn. Jersey City and Phil
adelphia. in which he warmly commended
the work done by Commissioners Daven-
port. Muirhead and Allen and their subor-
dinates. In conclusion the minority said:
| Mr.. Cox was for whole generation a
| leader of democracy in this chamber, the
| friend of the letter carriers, of the terri
| tories and of all the defenseless who had a
| just cause to plead before the bar of the
| American Congress or people. His name
| has shed an enduring luster on literature
| and diplomacy, as well on his party and
| his country. We are content to place his
| estimate of these laws and these men over
| against whatever evil may be spoken of
| them by those upon whom fortune has
| placed the stint of endeavoring to stand in
| his shoes. even II they do not follow his
| footsteps"