Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-11
Gerrymander Threatened.

elect him, the election of Democrat, or
both.
Gerrymander Threatened.
1.-The scheme further comprehends and
proposes to reapportion the state for con-
gressional purposes, to the end that an ad-
ditional number of Democrats may be elect
ed to the FiftysiNth congress. and in that
way defeat the purposes of the Republican
party, which carried the country in 1886
in favor of William Mckinley for presi-
dent and sound money and protective tar
iff views of the great party to which we
belong.
Further than this, this scheme contem-
plates. the ripping up of the judicial dis
tricts of the state, to the end that faithful
judicial officers may be turned out. and
their places given to Democrats, and bills
| are now prepared for both the foregoing
purposes.
And still further, We believe and
| charge that there is in contemplation such
| a transfer of power through legislation to
| certain men connected with this conspir-
acy as that evil consequences Will accrue
| to the people Of the state.
Unconscious, as We would fain believe
| of the scope and far reaching consequences
| of their acts, certain members of the leg
| islature. elected by Republicans and by
| Republican votes, and pledged to Repub-
| llCdn interests, nave Deell 81 Lax ihsico do
| to join in making possible the success OF
this conspiracy SO far.
| Now, for the purpose of arresting the
| further progress of this baneful conspiracy
| and to prevent its complete and most i'm
portant accomplishment, We appeal to
| every Republican member of the general
| assembly. to every Republican of the state
of Ohio, and to every person interested in
the fair name Of the state of Ohio. to use
their influence that further progress may
| lie now checked and thwarted.
Never Such Periidy Before.
I'VE recognize that there is distinction
| between a member of the legislature voting
| against his partys nominee on the organi-
cation of that body and voting against his
| party's candidate for United States sena-
tor, which was made by the people in their
primary capacity and ratified by them at
| the polls. The one is a violation of party
| duty; the other involves a breach of the
| highest trust and is violation of the
fundamental principles of our government,
| such as has never in the history of the Re-
! publican party occurred. There have been
| bolts from senatorial nominations made
| at caucuses, but since the nomination OF
Abraham Lincoln against Stephen A.
Douglass more than forty years ago, by
the people of Illinois in state convention,
to that of Marcus A. Hanna, by the Re-
publicans of Ohio, in state convention in
1897 there has absolutely not been one
member of the legislature. be it said to the
glory of our common country. who has re-
fused to ratify a nomination SO made by
the people.
1.-The member of the Ohio legislature.
elected as Republican, who this week
first casts his vote against Mr.. Hanna df
there be one) viii have the distinction Of
making the first example of such perfidy
in his party's and we believe in his coun-
try's, history.
''In view of the fact that such a breach
of trust. should 1t occur, would first stain
the fair name of our beloved state. we feel
justified in appealing to all the people and
to all in public authority. without regard
to past or present party affiliations or
sympathies, to stay this threatened blow.
! 1t would be the severest ever administered
in civic affairs against our governmental
system. 1t would constitute plain VIOLA
tion of the spirit, if not the letter. of the
Ohio constitution. which members of the
general assembly and state officials have
taken a solemn oath to support.
DisObedfence a Crime.
"The bill of rights Constitution. article l.
section 81 provides: The people have q
right to assemble together in a peaceable
manner to consult for their common good.
and to instruct their representatives.
THE people of Ohio, in sending Repub-
lican representatives to the general as
sembly, have instructed them to vote for
Senator Hanna, not only in the state con.
vention. but in district and county con-
ventions, by common understanding and In
every form that instructions are ever given
A vote against or to induce a violation Of
such instructions is a crime against our
institutions and, subject to constitutional
limitations. should be made felony under
our statutes. We are loatn to believe that
personal hate. actual or fancied grievances
or other motives can thus induce members
to violate the fundamental law. 1t is not
alone for Senator Hanna, nor for or agains,
any other individual, that we make this
appeal to the Republican members of the
| general assembly. 1t is not question OF
persons. 1t is not even question of par.
ties. 1t arises high above both, and in
wolves the conservation of our Republican
system of government. The simple ques
tion is: Shall the peoples rule as tn,
founders of our government be ended
When the peoples agents cannot be trusted
to execute their expressed will, that mo
; ment marks the decadence and fail of tht
republic.
Governor Bushnell Appealed To.
I'VE appeal to Governor Bushnell to exer
his influence now to stay this threatened
| assault upon constitutional government
We. as his constituents. cling to the hop
that he will not fail to heed the voice O
the party which twice elected him govern
: | or; the voice of the mighty people of TIL
state of Ohio and the obligations of goo,
-. | citizenship and good government, all rep
| reservations to the contrary rotwithstand
!, ing; and that he will draw the line of hi