News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1900-01-17

AT leaSU one OF U0e most Important
bills yet introduced is that designed
to revise the basis of Congressional
representation in the southern states.
There are many districts in the South
with a population of between $780,
900 and 100000, where the negro
vote is entirely suppressed by intimi-
dation or constitutional amendment,
and the democratic candidate is elect
ed by ridiculously small vote and
no opposition. AS an illustration
In the First Mississippi dist riot, with
a population of 143 ,315, private"
John Allen was elected by vote of
2,469 to none in opposition. In the
second Mississippi district, with
population of 1852, Spight was
elected by vote of 2949 to 32o in
opposition. In the third Mississippi
district, with a population Of 1884,
297, Catchings was elected by vote
of 2,06S to 373 for Jones, colored
republican. The other three districts
of the state show practically the same
per cent of votes cast and the same
methods. These figures, of course,
demonstrate a condition of the fran
chise in that section, which is a stu
pendous disgrace to any country
calling itself a Republic. The con-
gressional returns stamp each sitting
member as the perpetratOr and beGe-
ficiary of a crime against liberty.
The bill provides that congressional
representation in these states shall
be revised and based on the actual
vote cast. This would appear to be
the only way to bring these brazan
offenders to account for their rhine
against civiliz ation and Justice. The
villaiDy OF comp ling the b'a k man
to provide and perpetuate a congress
sional district in which he is allowed
no voice, is too infamous to allow Of
argument. Nevertheless, these pOlti-
cal criminals will die hard, and as the
bill will of course be bitterly contest
ed inch by inch by the large democra-
tic minority, its passage is in doubt.
In any event it wi provide Some red
hot debate and interesting scenes 10
the House.
Gen. Grout is solid believer in the
doctrine of try, try again, if, at first
he don't succeed in putting through
piece of legislation. He has again
introduced the measure prohibiting
the sale of liquor at "canteens or
army posts, which some he put
through after much hard work last
year. The result was lost, however,
by very peculiar and questiona BILE
ruling of the Attorney General who
held that the Generals law didn't
mean what it said. Better luck this
time, and a final end to the matter
1t is a matter of very common
remark that a tremendous i'm.
provement for the better has taken
f place in the personnel of the House
+ and the conduct of it's business since
Tom Reed let 60 bis grip on the
throat of that body. During his
speakership the republican leaders O
the House were in such awe of his
indicative and revengeful PERSONAL
, ity that they dared not exercise indie
pendently their own good judgement
, and as automotors simply register
ing his will were at a continual dis
advantage. With Reeds disappear
; auCe al that is changed, and the in
, dividual members daresa and affirm
D that their souls are their own. Tht
, result, of course, is that more bust
ness will be done and better done thar
when the House was squirmipg under
! the domineeripg heel of this bilious
bullet headed autocrat.
The Senate Committee on Elections
votes four to three-Senator Bur
, roughs of Michigan, republican, vot
= ing with the democrats-that Qua,
= is not entitled to seat under tn
. Governors appointment. This b,
no means settles it, however, as ther
seems to be an even chance that tn
Senate will adopt the minority re
port. The committee has announce
: that it will not report TIE Use to tn
Senate until next week
,, Senator Clark of Montana is noV
n having his hearing b fore the con
y mittee, his political opponents chdrg
ing that he purchased his seat b
9 paying the legislature spot cash an
lots of it. There is scarcely chanC
:, but that he will retain his seat, b.
munds to thecontrary not withstand
i, ing. Mr.. Clark possibly attract
= more attention from Senate visitor
! than any one Spnator-sincA Il e SUI
h iect Of Senator Ross whst e's becam
- stale-because of the fact that he hs
=, the largest cash income of any Twin
. person. 1t amounts to some owe
NJ $4,000 per day, and any man Wit
y this income can well aft ,rd a legisli
n ture or any other luxury.
i In a communication from l..
h Pelton of Highgate to the st. Albar
- Messenger, that gentleman poin
% with pride" to the alleged fact thu
q for 10, the many years no fqnt
ho has been sold in the United Stat
~ capitol. This comes under the hes
70. 70 of important if true" The pal iti
bo Senate CAFE has no bar-the Sena
" Committee rooms usually supplyiI
n any deficiency-but the country hi
- no finer or better stocked bar thu
on that in the restaurant of the Houe