Year: 1879

The committee appointed to prepare and
propose plan for reconciling tae differences
between the Democratic and Republican par
ties with reference to election laws have care
fully. Considered the subject and beg leave to


REPORT.


We find that the motive of the Democratic
party In insisting upon the repeal of the laws
10 question IS to promote freedom of elections;
that is to say, to allow persons to vote freely
Tor the candidates OF their choice We are
convinced that the Republicans cannot object
to such freedom. Indeed, they do not. Some
difference exists between the two parties as to
the proper Interpretation of the terms 'free-
dom OF election" and "voting freely but dis
pute as to the exact meaning Of phrases in
such common use ought not to hinder the en-
actment of any legislation that may be needed
IL is admitted by both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis that the laws now in force do actually pre-
vent persons, even those entitled to the suf-
rage, from voting freely; and inssmuch as, by
universal consent, free elections must be main
tanned If we would save our liberties as q peo-
pie, il n eds no argument to show that the
laws referred to are destructive of popular
rights, and should be repealed. So much the
democratic party has right to claim, and, but
for the circumstance that it has not full power
to enforce its right. it would leave no part of
the law upon the statute book.


But the Democratic party is generous, par
tculsrly when it cannot compass its ends by
uoiuS Otu6EWle6. lulS com mltteo Is prepared
to recommend that the majority In Congress
be contented with much less than its principles
and its strength in the government entitle it
to demand. As is well knows, the object, at
least the professed object, of the Republican
party in enactng the laws under considera-
tiou, was to see that elections were fair The
officers chosen for this purpose are denominated
supervis )rs. The retention of the corps of sup
ervisors is, therefore, concession to the Re-
publicans of all they have q right to ask, and
Il tnis haiaa that nnrn tfaa
meud TO the two parties to compromises. By
this plan there will be no interference with the
free voting of all who think themselves entitled
TO share in elections, and the Democrats will
concede to Republicans the valuable privilege
of allowing one of their own party to stand near
each p0ll,-prOvided he is not too much in the
way,-to see how it Is done. We knowit will
be held by some Democrats that we have gone
too far; and that 1t should have been provided
that the supervisors should be hoodwinked
prior to the opening of the polls, and compelled
to remain SO during the whole time of voting
and counting We do not share in that opin-
ion. We believe the supervisors will do the
Democrats no great harm. For in the first
place we give them other right, even nomi-
Daly, than any other citizen may claim with
out an appointment, and in the second place
they will probably not remain near any poll
where it is intended to have the voting unusu-
ally free. Even under the existing law, with
the accompaniment of deputy marshals, there
were found means, at various points, to per-
suade them to retire from the polls when they
so far abused their privileges as to suspect
election officers of unfairness.


Your committee entertain the hope that the
result of their deliberations will meet with the
cordial appreciation of men of both parties.
We are sure that Republicans have every rea-
son to be satisfied with a compromise which
gives them the right to a witness at every poll
TO see that the election is fair. If it is not fair
of course there is nothing to be gained by
choosing person 20 see that it is SO, aud the
motive for having supervisor is wholly want
ing. Consequently Wa are unable to conceive
of Republican bsing dissatisfied with the
remnant of the laws which we propose TO leave
nnrepealed. The only persons who are justi-
fed in being dissatisfied are the Democrats,
who may reasonably insist that the appoint
ment of officers to watch them is an imputa-
ton upon their fairness; but we trust they will
accept this compromise, 10 the hope shat one
election, with free got1ng, will give them CON-
plete power TO abolish ali restrictions upon the
fullest exercise of the freemsn's right.