The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-09-27
watch This Fellow.

Louisville Dispatch
ExState Senator Steel Of Pittsburg is
off on a foreign mission such as no other
American citizen was ever called on to
perform. In fact history does not record
such a mission since the devil attempted
TO have himself chosen ruler of the uni
verse. Steel is going to Manila, 1000 mites
on the other side OF the globe, to hold
an election among the Pennsylvania troops
on the Sth of next November and bring
the returns to Harrisburg to be counted.
He is acting as agent OF the State of Penn
sylvania under a rscent statute The
number Of Pennsylvania troops at Manila
may not influence the elections in Pennsyl-
vania. but the precedent is one which may
become more dangerous to the Rpubuic
than armed rebellion or secret treason
II the congress of the United States should
pass such an election law it would lay
the foundation for the conversion of the
Republic into "A government controlled by
force and fraud under the protection of
law. The standing army would not seri-
ously affect the result IN a Nationsl or
State election, but an emergency might
call million or two million of men into
the heid, and many thousands of them
might be stationed in Manila, Cuba, Porto
Rico and Hawaii, and the fraudulent ma
rhphiaticn of their votes at home and
abroad might change the result in a presi-
dental election, or determine the com
pleXion OF congress.
questions may arise even before this
administration is called to account before
lie people which Will make the fate of
republican institutions in this country de-
nend on the result of an election. In such
contingency there would be such vast
lnte.es IS at stake that the vote of the
army wnld be manipulated by fraud ana
force in the interest of the candidates of
the powers of plutocracy, The house of
representatives. passed a bill last session
allowing soldiers to vote In congressional
elections. OF course, if they may vote in
congressional election they NAV vote
In a presidential election. The bill is now
before the senate, where It should meet
deserved death. The object OF the hin
Is evident, Il is stab at the vitals of re-
pubAean government and one of the most
dangerous measures ever proposed in con-
eress. Take the PENNSYLVANIA case Steel
is the messenger. He is the sheriff He G
the custodian OF the returns The elections
VIII be held by officers who owe their no.
sitons to Mckinley and who must depend
upon him for promotion. The soldiers have
oh'cers, and they wouli rot dare to gn
tasonlze them, II II were president al
election Steel, with the connivsnce of the
oHlcers. could steal the election. ard if
IL were presidential election Steal wou,d
not be commissioned unless he would steal
all that might h needed Steal is the en-.
,,er1ng wedge OF imperialism in elections
II congress ever gives the authority Tho
S.lo'er vote VIII be usei as It NAV plesse
'ne administration 10 use Il TO control the
government and Their IL the people oh
lect the soldiers viii be used to shoot thnm
down. W 'A''' 'i'eul
we are told that the policy Of expaus O,
ana territorial conquest, with colonial gov
oWmen's for conquered provinces 10
manifest destiny" Perhaps II is in the
inc OF manifest destir,y for us vet 10 500
lhe result Of close presidential election
WaluhS on the return of some messenger
OF the president or or seine governor nj
S,ate bringing In his breaches pocket from,
Mahlla the decisive returns This is only
ore phase OF repubiicansm ard impsrial,
ISM we are progressing in every direc.
ton but those who love liberty and be-
feNe IN our Republican form OF rovern.
ment should carefully consider m WI,
Destiny we are driving or being driven
Ihsy should think on Mr. SteeVs necnl%,r
mission ard the possibilities OF such "a
position