The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-06
DAVENPORTISM MUST GO.
caUcUs OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO
DECIDE ON THE REPEAL BTLL-

Mr.. Fitoh's Substitute for the Tueksr BIN
Leave. the Crir,inai Statutes In Force.
and Mr.. Tucker Say, He wants 60 Fina
out whether the Party IL Really In Favor
Repeal as Demanded In the Platform.
WARRINGTON Oct ga paper was In circulu-
ton among the Democratic members OF the
House to-day calling for caucus on Monday
night on the subject OF the pending bill. re-
mailing the Federal Election laws. The call
was drawn up by Representative Tucker Of
Virginia the author OF the bill. and has been
40 numerously signed that Chairman Holman
will issue q call ut the close OF the session OF
the House ON Saturday. Tho object OF the
caucus Is to determine what amendments to
tho Tucker bill are to be accepted. This ac-
tlon Is necessitated by the fact that Demo-
cratic amendments have been offered. and Il
Ia essential that there should be unanlmity In
ths party whom tho bill is reported to the
House itself.
Tho principal amendment that has been
offered 10 that OF Representative Fitch OF New
York. which includes the substance OF ono
offered by Mr.. Lacey Of Iowa. and which has
received the support OF q considerable number
OF Democrats OF prominence. The essential
purpose OF Mr.. Fitch's amendment Is to retain
upon the statute books the criminal statutes
Affecting this subject and repeating only those
which provide for the employment Of super
yisors. marshals. and deputy marshals at tho
polls. The Tucker bill repeats the criminal
statutes as well AZ these latter.
Speaking Of this matter this afternoon. Mr..
Tucker said:
Tho Supreme Court has rendered several
decisions, from which have arisen all the
trouble from this subject. In each case tho
decisions have been based upon the provision
contained in these criminal statutes. The re-
peal OF the statutes is therefore the nub OF the
whole subject with us. We maintain that the
Constitution gives to Congress the right to
regulate tho time. place. and manner OF hold
ing elections The election itself Is. however.
a different matter. We hold that all statutes
attemp ting to regulate registration. which is Q
condition Of voting. or the manner OF voting. Is
%: sss nabns to e. aso hod
a pun shment for .. man for a violation Of q
mine and whip him because he had disobeyed
ss rnh sss mH,sss Wch n M he
and f Il Is upon these mstters that the disaGres:
%spt of the Tucker e to avoid nter
ierlng in any manner with any OF the statutes
Ts tS Te
Republican press have charged that the bill
which bear: my narne does SO interfere. but 1t
is not true. as reference to the statutes them-
Speaking Of the caucus. Mr.. Tucke or said
that 1t was called for the purpose Of deter
mining whether the Democratic party was
earnestly and entirely in favor Of the repeal OF
the Election laws as demanded BY the plat
form. We are either IN favor Of their repeal
well fnd out Just how We stand. II Mr.. Fitch,,ss
seems to me we might as well abandon the
fight. II his bill incorporates all there 10 OBJ
jectionabe then we've got no case. am per-
iectly we'll satisfied. however. that the caucus
will mako a satisfactory declaration on the
subject"
MI. Tucker said tho caucus would represent
the friends Of both measures This own and Mr..
Fiteh's,. as he understood the call had been
initiated BY those In favor OF the Fitch bill
The vote on tho bill and pending am endme nts
Is to be taken at noon next Tuesday. The
how they will vote. but they. will hold con-
mapped out.
Interest in the debate in the House on tho
Federal Election bill does not increase. and
empty benches ON both sides OF the chamber
are the rule and not the exception. At no time
to-day were moro than 100 members present
The speeches were made by Mr.. Murray rep.
4 c. and Mr. Haines rep, New. in the mega
tive. and by Mr. Russell Dem, Ca and Mr.
Money Dem. Miss in the Affirmative. Prior
to the consideration OF the Election bill some
routine business was transacted. including
Agriculture in tho line OF the Presidential sue