The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-06
EXPECTED BETTER THINGS.
HumOrS of the Debate on the
Election Bill.
ACTIVITY OF NEW CONVERTS.
The Gentleman From Illinois rlOre
Enthusiastic Democrat Even Than
the Old BourbOnS.

WASHINGTON, Feb Sin the Senate to-
day resolutions from the Massachusetts
Legislature protesting against the cotton
schedule of the Wilson bin were presented
and referred.
The Federal elections bill occupied the
entire session of the Senate afterward
Chandler concluded 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repealed. He coDtrasted the attitude OF
the Republicans toward the negroes in the
South and the black men in the Hawaiian
Islands being very solicitous for the rights
Of the former. while in the case OF the lat
ter they were only concerned about white
supremacy.
Senator Frye, in reply 10 Palmer, re-
viewed the history of the Presidential cleo
ton in 1868. and the Tammany frauds IN
New York City, and asserted that Tam
many was just as determined to avail
itself OF violation OF the law now as IN
1868. Turning 10 Palmer. he asked: docs
the Senator from Illinois think that 1t was
the duty of the United States TO take cog
niZance OF these violations and crimes
against the ballot in the Empire State. or
does he think 1t was an attempt 10 crush
freedom?'
my answer" said Palmer, ''is that the
instance stated by no means Justihes the
law. The fact that there was crime in
New York furnishes no reason for sub
jacling any other Congressional district in
the United States to an act placing over it
Supervisors and Marshals. Nothing Of that
kind justiies placing the whole country
under supervision"
Il am disappointed with the Senator"
said Frye. II do not think he is any bet
ter than other Democrats. i am afraid, as
sometimes happens to new recruits, he is
even worse. [Laughter.] a citizen of
State is citizen of the United States. and
this republic owes that citizen some duty"
Senator Frye then quoted the constitu-
ton of Mississippi, and denounced its pro-
visions requiring a voter TO be able to read
the constitution or to give reasonable in
depreciation of any section OF it when read
to him.
And does not the Senator know that
Massachusetts has an even more stringent
provision?" inquired Gray.
No, it has not"
at has; and l will show it to YOU
why, there is no Senator on this
floor" said Frye, who could perhaps in
terpret the constitution of the United
States to the satisfaction of an examining
committee, as is required by the cohsiiu-
ton of Mississippi
THAT constitution then" suggested
Palmer, very much resembles the consti-
tuition OF Hawaii established by the Pro
visonal Government" [Laughter.l
Bates of Tennessee Interrupted the de-
bate TO read the following provision from
the constitution of Massachusetts: Every
male citizen of u years ana upward. not
being pauper or a person under guar
dianship, who is able to read the consli;u-
tion of the common wealth in the English
language and write his name. shall be en-
titled TO vote"
IF there had been added to that" re-
torted Frye, "the words, If he could in
terpret it to the satisfaction of commit
tee,' 1t would make a material difference"
Does not the Senator from Maine see
nOw." inquired Gray, that the provision
of the constitution of Mississippi Is no
more severe than the constitution of Mas
sachusetts, where a voter must be able to
read the constitution and write his name
In Mississippi if he cannot read it is suffi-
cient if he can understand its provisions?"
After some further colloouy over this
subject between Frye. Gray and Hoar the
Senate at 10 adjourned.