The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-19
DISHONEST LAW.
D. B Hill Describes New York's Force
Bill as Inso1ent.

Albank, N. Y, July 19.-Former gov
ernor, D. B. Hill, speaking today of the
metropolitan election law just passed
said: "a measure has been passed of
a most extraordinary and dangerous
character, violating every principle of
ordinary legislation, conceded to be
special in its nature, and attempted to
be justified upon assumptions which
are as insulting as they are false.
I'm brief, this remarkable law Gre
ates a new civil division in the state
to be known as metropolitan elections
district, not cO-extensiVe with the state
but limited to particular localities.
The principle of home rule, so dear
to every citizen who understands and
appreciates the true theory of our state
and local governments, is unblushingly
antagOnfZed, repudiated and set aside.
This law is based upon the assump-
ton that the people of the city of New
York are unable or unwilling to honest
ly enforce the election and registration
laws of their own home, and hence that
the state has a legal and constitution
al right to usurp such functions, ignor-
ing local officials, local sentiments and
local instrumentalities. I denounce
such assumption as false and offensive
1t is a partisan bugaboo concOcted to
secure partisan advantages and used
as an excuse to provide for partisan
favoritism.
There was neither any necessity nor
demand for this measure and every
per in the state so comedies.
L believe this law to be ViolatiVe of
the spirit and letter of the constitution.
The law is not only insoIent and dis
honest as "a whole, but some of its pro-
visions are unprecedented and positive
ly dangerous. The deputy superinten-
dents, seven hundred in all are permit
ted by section of the act to visit and
inspect any house in the city of New
York. The words visit and inspect
are broad words and confer vast pow
erS. This power of inspection is
nothing more nor less than a right of
search and violates the constitutional
provision which declares that the peo-
pie shall be secure in their houses
against just such unreasonable search
es. This law is not only an attack up
will be regarded as an insult by every
Democrat throughout the state. It
outrages not only Tammany Demo-
Gratis, but Democrats of every faction
of that city. 1t gives to the Democ-
racy a new iSSue-the issue of EQUAL
citizanship'-the issue of uniform leg
islation for Democratic and Republi-
can localities, the issue of home rule
for municipalities versus a state force
bill. 1t will absolutely unite the De-
mocracy of the state. 1t will cement
fractional divisions; it will Overshadow
all differences upon financial questions;
it will subordinate personal contentious
and this fall the unnecessary and era-
tuitous insult involved in this force
bill will arouse a spirit of Indignation
among not only Democrats but fair
minded men of all parties, which aug
menting as the campaign progresses,
will teach an insolent Republican fac
ton a lesson which they have not had
since 1882, when they boldly forged a.
committeeman proxy and will insure
the triumphant election of the Demo-
cratic state ticket and a Democratic
legislature. These are the signs Of the
times"