The herald., 1894-02-06
TEE rLpcTIoNs BILE.
1t Engages tho Entire Session OF the
Senate.

1t Engages tho &ntaro Scssioh OF the
Senate.
WAsHINeToN. Feb. 5.-The federal
elections bill occupied the entire session
of the senate today. Chandler con-
cluded his speech and was followed by
Palmer, who argued that the law having
entirely failed Of its purpose. and being
generally obnoxious, should be repealed.
Palmer, in his speech, contrssted the
attitude of the Republicans towards the
negross in the south and the black men
in the Hawaiian islands, being very 40
licirous for the rights OF the former,
while in the case of the latter they were
only concerned about white supremacy.
Frye reviewed the history OF the presl-
dentSal election OF 1868 and the Iam-
MANY frauds in New York city. and as
ssrted that Tsmmany 10 just as deter
mined 40 avail itself OF the violation Of
the law now as in 1868. Turning to
Palmer he asked: ''Does the senator
from Illinois think it was the duty Of
the United States to take cognizance OF
these yiolaNions and crimes against the
ballot in the Empire state, or does he
think it was an attempt to crush Tree
dom ?"
uMv answer" said Palmer, sis that
the instance STATED by no means iusti-
fies tbs law. Ehe fact that there waa
crime in New York furnishes no reason
for subiecting any other congressional
district in the Ualited States to an act
placiue over them supervisors and mas-
ters. Nothing cAf that kind jnstifies
placing the whole country under super
vision" :,
Il am disappointed with my senator, y
said FRYE. II do not think he 10 any
better than other Democrats. ! an
afraid. az sometimes happens to new re.
cruits, be ia even worse. Laughter.
A citizen of state ia citizen OF the
United States, and this republic owes
that citizen some duty.
Senator Frye then quoted the constl
tuition of MissisAippi and denounced III
provisions requiring voter to De apis
to read the constitution or be able "
give reasonable Interpretation Of q sec
tion of it when read to him.
s'Does not the senator know tina
Massachusetts has even more stringen
provision 2" inquired Gray.
Eyes, it does, and will show it te
YOU"
"Why, there is not senator on thi
door," said Frye, "who could perhap
interpret the constitution of the United
States to the satisfaction OF an examln
ing committee. a. is required by tn
constitution OF Mississippi"
"That constitution, then," suggests
Palmer, livery much resembles the con
stitution of Hawaii established by tn
provisional government" Laughter.
Bate Of Tennessee interrupted to res,
the following provision from the consti
tuition oil Massachusetts,: Every NAL
citizen OF q years or upward, not bein
4 paupsr or person under guardianshiF
who IL able to read the constitution {
the commonwealth in the English lar
guags and write his name. shall be Ell
titled TO vote.
III there had been added to that.
Yetertsd Frye, sths words ii he ca
interpret it to the satisfaction OF con
mittee' il would make material dittel
ence."
Does not the senator from MAR
see." inquired Gray. ''nev, that Il
provisions Of the constitution OF Missi
sippi 10 no mora severe than the eonst
tuition Of Massachusetts, where vet
must be able to resd the oonstitutis
and write h;s name? In Mississippi.
he cannot read 1t il sufficient Il ne q
understand its provisiong."
After some flrther oolleQpy over %
the ssnsfs. Il Sslo. adlssrnsa.