New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

In the South had found another way u ue-
feat an honest declaration OF the popular VIII
at elections. Frauds Of startling magnitude
were being perpetrated in elections. in imitatoh
Of Northern Democratic methods. and the Repuo-
ucans of Congress now passed a law to enforce
the Fifteenth Amendment and secure scrutiny
of the registration and voting in Federal cleo
TONS Fraudulent registration was declared
crime, punishable as in the act Of May 81. 1870
The appointment In cities Of over 10000 inhab-
Nants, of two Federal Supervisors for each
polling place one from each political party. was
provided for and in larger cities. the appoint
ment of two Deputy United States Marshals TO
assist at each polling place. The Supervisors
were to have the right to challenge to make re-
turns Of the election Of Congressman and TO re-
port violations Of the law. The law expressly
aimed at securing to each citizen entitled to vote
one honest vote and the honest counting and re-
turn Of that vote, more. no less. The bill was,
nevertheless. bitterly opposed by the Democrats
In both houses Of Congress. They denounced II
as INSCRIPTIONS. unjust inexpedient and I'M
constitutional The Republicans cited Demo-
cratic precedents for it, and demanded that Con-
gress should 80 legislate as to secure to every
citizen his right to vote. The bill was passed In
the House February 10. 1871. by IA yeas (all
Republicans to Ga nays 6 Republicans. 61 DEM
ocrats): In the Senate. February "a by 80 yeas
(all Republicans to 10 nays (all Democrats).
law was passed authorizing the refunding Of
$5OOOOOOOO Of the public debt at 5 per cent, in
lieu Of the $2OO.OOO,O00 provided for at the last
session.
The soldiers Of 1912 were granted service
pension OF IS month
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
It was at this session that Civil Service Reform
was first placed upon the statute books OF the
United States President Grant had recon-
mended in his Message (the system OF partisan
appointments to office, at the request OF Senators
and Representatives, having in some cases placed
inefficient and corrupt persons in office that
rules and regulations might be authorized
whereby appointments to clerkshps and some
other minor Offices should be based on efficiency.
character and knowledge. Republican Con-
gress complied with the suggestion OF Repub-
lican President in this matter; and section
was added to the Sundry Civil Expenses Appro
priation bill Of March 3, 1871, authorizing the
President Ito prescribe such rules and regula-
tons for the admission OF persons into the Civil
Service Of the United States as will best promote
the efficiency thereof, and ascertain the fitness
OF each candidate in respect to age, health, char
ac,er, knowledge and ability for the branch OF
the service into which he seeks to enter; and for
this purpose the President Is authorized to en-
ploy suitable persons to conduct said inquiries
to prescribe their duties. and to establish regu-
lations for the conduct Of persons who may re-
oeive appointment In the Civil Service"
The XLIId Congress met for its first session
March 4. 1871. and was the last Congress to hold
spring session Immediately after the adjourn
ment, sine die Of its predecessor. 1t adjourned
on April 20. Its composition:
tai. a. '''
House-James G. Blaine, of Maine (Rep).
Speaker: Republicans. 13S; Democrats, 1O3; va
cancies, 2. Total. 243
President Grant sent no message to Congress
until March g. and then brief one. He an
nounced that "a condition Of affairs now exists
In some States OF the Union rendering life and
property insecure and the carrying Of the mails
and collection Of the revenue dangerous" He
recommended legislation on this subject, and
announced that there was other subject upon
which. at the time. he would recommend action.
The business Of this session Of Congress was.
by resolution limited to deficiency appropria-
lions and the passage OF bills to enable the Presi
dent and the courts to enforce the laws for the
protection Of persons and property in the South.
ern States.
FIGHTING THE KU KLUX.
The operations of the Ku KIux Klans In nearly
al the States Of the South had now become ex-
eeedingy fragrant. secret political society.
which punished with death any member betray-
ing the secrets Of the order, and which rode In
bands Of masked marauders at night performing
execrable deeds Of violence and blood and pro-
tecting its members from punishment by the
courts by killing and intimidating witnesses, the