The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-18
DAVID B. HILL ALIVE
FORMER WELL-KNOwN POLITICIAN
OUT IN A SAUCY INTERVIEW.
Declares the Law Providing for Clean
Elections Violates Every Free
Born Mans Rights.

ALBANY, N. Y, July 17.-Former Gov
ernor D. B. Hill, speaking to-day of the
metropolitan election law" just passed,
said: "A measure has been passed of a
most extraordinary and dangerous charac-
ter, violating every principle of orderly leg
islation, conceded to be special in its ma
ture, and attempted to be justified on as
sumptions which are as insulting as they
are false. In brief, this remarkable law
creates a new, civil division in the State
to be known as a metropolitan elections dis
trict not coextensive with the State, but
limited to particular localities. The princi-
pie OF home rule. so dear to every citizen
who understands and appreciates the true
theory of our state and local governments,
is unblushingly antagonized, repudiated and
set aside.
The law is based upon the assumption
that the people of the city of New York are
unable or unwilling to honestly enforce the
election and registration laws at their own
home, and hence that the State has legal
and constitutional right to usurp such func-
lions, ignoring local officials, local senti-
ments and local instrumentalities. l de-
nounce such assumption as false and Of
fenSiVe. 1t is partisan bugaboo, concoct-
ed to secure partisan advantages and used
as an excuse to provide for partisan favor
demand for this measure and every con-
sentative and Independent newspaper in the
State so comedies
II believe this law to be violativc of the
spirit and letter of the Constitution. The
law is not only insolent and dishonest as
whole, but some of it's provisions are I'M
precedented and positively dangerous. The
deputy superintendent 200 in all, are
permitted 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 powers. This
power of inspection is nothing more nor
less than right of search, and violates
that constitutional provision which declares
that the people shall be secure in their
houses against just such unreasonable
searches. N44s-
This law is not only an attack upon the
Tammany Hall Democracy, but will be re-
garded as an insult by every Democrat
throughout the State 1t outrages not only
Tammany Democrats, but Democrats of ev-
cry faction of that city. 1t gives to the
citizenship the issue of uniform legisla-
ton for Democratic and Republican local
tiles, the issue of home rule for municipal
tiles versus state force bill. 1t will abso-
lutely unite the Democracy of the State It
will cement all fractional divisions; it will
overshadow all differences upon financial
questions; 1t will subordinate personal con-
tentions, and this fall the unnecessary and
gratuitous insult involved in this force bill
VIII arouse spirit of Indignation among
not only Democrats. but fair-minded men
Of all parties which, augmenting as the
campaign progresses, will teach an intoler-
ant Republican faction a lesson which thew
have not had since 1882, when they boldly
forged committeeman'S proxy, and will
insure the triumphant election of the Dem
islature. These are the signs of the
times. "