The St. Louis Republic., 1903-01-03
Leader of Republican Good Gov
ernment League Accepts Demo
cratic Committees Invitation.
SOME OF HIS SUGGESTIONS.
Declares That the Exposure and
Frustration of Fraud Should
Ee Paramount Feature of
the New Measure.

The jefferson Club committee appointed
to revise or amend the present election law
extended an invitation to Chauncey I. FIJI
ley several days ago to cooperate with the
committee in the way o. suggesting amend
ments. Mr. Filley's response to the invita-
ton. in which he acknowledges the courtesy
and declares he will cheerfully comply with
the request. was read by him at meeting
of the Good Government Club at No 600
Eusenia street last night.
Mr.. Filley prefaced his remarks by de-
clarng that this was the first occasion he
had taken to reply to the outcry of the
calamity howlers'' in the Republican party
that the Nesblt law was responsible for the
corrupt practices obtaining in the registra-
t!on and elections under it.
Referring to his elimination by the par
ty and its loss of power and prestige since
that event, he said:
ASK THE OFFICE HOLDERS.
you remember that little story, the point
of which is The dog 1t was that died :?
Well. the Doodle Republicans said four
years ago that Filley had bitten the party
and they were afraid it would get hydro
photia unless he was killed. Who's dead
now? The man or the dog? Ask the army
Of Office holders that marched out of the
City Hall a few days ago.
iheie Is law IN the statutes OF every
State against MURDER" said Mr.. Filley, but
murders are committed despite thereof.
every state against election crimes. but
they have been committed by both parties
in the city. and the parent repeaters and
ballot-box stuffins crimes were initiated by
the Election Commissioner appointed by
Mayor Walbridge under the law of 1895.
within six months after it went into effect.
'The worst primary frauds that the city
ever experienced originated with and have
been executed by Doodle Republicans.
MURDER OF THE BALLOT.
"As hitherto stated. there are sufficient
laws upon the statute books against murder.
but the murderer Of the ballot commits a
higher crime. with sufficient laws against
II, because his crime affects the body po-
liIic the whole city and State. and there
fore is of wider and higher degree and in
jury, and deserving greater punishment
qualification to vote or hold office not
enough. 1t should be made felony. with
no immunity from the statute of limitation.
or if limited, to be from the time Of dis
covery and for not less than five years
thereafter.
1.-The Democrats have great opportunity.
Are they equal to 1t, or will they acknowi-
edge fear of defeat through honest elections
by yielding in single instance?
THE committee appointed by the Jeffer-
son Club is notably competent. of character.
and so much the greater expectation and
Much is expected from it
and you. and a little will not be acceptable
nor accepted. 1t is felt that you will all rise
10 the condition and expectation and fear
eSs success demanded
For myself l do not hesitate to say that
do not desire the Republicans. as an Or
sanization, to seek or inject any interfer-
9nce with the Democratic majority, and
in the matter. They would
lot stand 1t If in like power and should not
demand 1t in defeat.
The secrecy of the ballot to cover fraud
Iient ballots should not be the paramount
,sature of the statutes The expose and
Illustration of fraud and the protection of
he honest voter and vote should be the
primary and final feature of the law. The
elections should not be of. by and
or the Indian. No undermining the will of
he people through their expressed right
md voice in the Government by fraudulent
)allots should be'tolerated. 1t is the high
st privilege and greatest duty Of the Amer
can citizen to vote There's no expense
90 great to accomplish this end. Specific
suggestions of amendments will be SUBJ
nitted.'