Evening journal., 1903-04-10


The second objection to the repeal of
the bill, he said, was that with the
voters assistant abolished. the Union
Republicans would not be properly
represented in the election rooms. In
answer to this he said that that officer
had no powers save TO assist the voter,
when requested. to mark his ballot,
and that in Kent, Sussex and in the
city Of Wilmington the Union Republi-
cans had a majority of the inspectors
and of the Republican judges. He then
told Of the various organizations urg-
ing the signing of the repeal bill, and
the numbers of voters they represent
ed, and concluded amid applause.
The Voice of Labor.
Evan W. Gallagher representing the
American Federation of Labor, was
the next speaker, and in a few terse
sentences he put the whole case. HeI
said that by a unanimous vote his or
ganization demanded the repeal Of the
| Voters Assistant act He wasn't rep
Presenting a party, but a principle. The
ballot should be secret If the Govern
ment was to stand, and the rights Of
labor protected. He said that at pres
which was a right to be preserved at
all hazards. on behalf of his organiza-
tion he urged the Governor to sign the
bill
He was followed by Walter L. Full
mer. who said that he spoke for a ma
jorlty of the men in the Pennsylvania
railroad shops when he urged the sign
ing of the repeal. He represented the
ma iOrifv Of 200 vofars
The next speaker was Henry Robin
son, colored, who said he represented
the Carriers and Drivers Association.
He also declared that he represented
his race when he urged the Governor
to sign the bill.
A. r. Sayior, representing the Cen
trail Labor Union, declared that the or
ganization had three thousand mem
bers in the State. and that they were
unanimous for the repeal. 1t is a part
of a general movement throughout the
lcountry. Organized labor favored a
free ballot, a secret ballot and was
lopposed to corruption. Therefore the
organization demanded the repeal OF
1.-THE Voters Assistant act.
MIR. HilIes' Eloquent Appeal.
There was intense silence when Mr..
Clark introduced the next speaker,
William S. Hilles. In ringing tones
and incisive sentences he eloquently
stated the case. He said that when
the Legislature passes an act the Ex-
ecutive. if he disapproves, must have
some good reason, and he asked for the
reason in this instance. Il am a Re-
publican" said he, with no apologies,
but as a Republican ! declare that the
Voters Assistant act is not needed.
We elected you, sir, and the rest of the
State ticket without the aid of this
law. Your reason can't be political;
you are above it. Your oath of office
stands in the way. There can be no
politics in it.V
He said there could be but two rea-
sons for refusing to sign the bill; one
was given by Senator Conner-ths
greatest disgrace ever brought upon
the State. There was a man elected to
t, make the laws, sworn to maintain the
Constitution, yet trying to tear It down
The other reason thau is given is that
ivoters need assistance. This" said
= he, "is based on the supposition that
D voters can't tell a star from a plow, OF
r a bird from the side of a house. We
! don't want that kind of men at the
] polls. There is an institution support
= ed by the State (Farnhurst) that il
e yawning for them. Every reason Of
= common decency, Of conscience. youi
d love for the State, should impel you t'
e sign this bill. We boast that we are q
e Democracy, but we can't violate the
v constitution and the laws and remaiT
t Democracy" At the conclusion Of hii
j thrilling appeal the applause was Ions
. continued.
Mr.. Grays Earnest Appeal.
John G. Gray was the next speaker
. He said that the Voters Assistant ac
:, required no oath from the assistant. Tt
, repeal il would advantage neithe
b., party. It would eliminate Union Re
publican officer and a Democrat alonl
I. with him. "1ow long," he asked "cal
! you guarantee that the law will not b.
= turned against your" He said that tn
: laws should be fair and impartial ant
Z then the contest should be waged owe
: issues. You have a rare opportunity,
said he. Was there ever a delegation
:, in any State more manifestly right
= Every State has its eyes on us today
: A thousand pens are waiting to fill tn
= newspapers with eneomiums on tn
" Governor of Delaware. Sign the bi
- and no face that looks from thes
>, walls win receive more honons thai
- yours"
The Rev. +. +. Briggs. of the Secon
= Baptist Church. was then introduced
who spoke as a minister and as a citi
zen. He declared that the law IS
- blot on the fair name of the State. an
" urged the Governor under the obliga
: tion his oath imposed, to attach hi
: signature to the bill.
10 The Voice of a Bayard.