Speech #510190059

Just at that point is the place where tyranny and despotism set out on a new march. reversing all the traditions of the century and reversing every precedent that the American people ever thought that they had established. Now. let me call your attention to the first clause of this bill. just to show you what it is. and how. in a few words. it gives absolute executive power to the chief supervisors of elections: That the chief supervisors of elections now in officeNot hereafter to "be selected or appointedThat the chief supervisors of election now in offi.e. their successors. and such supervisors of elections as may hereafter be appointed under any law of the Unted States are charged. In their respective judicial districts and in such Congressional districts the majority of the counties of which are within their judicial districts. both in person and by and through the supervisors of election .who may. from time to time. be appointed. with the supervision of elections at which iepresentatives or Delegates in Congress are voted for. withtheenforcemeit of the national election laws and with the prevention of frauds and irregularities in naturalization. I have beenastonished thatanyset of gentlemen. who imaginedeven that they were constitutional lawyers. would so far pervert the Constitution of the United States for the purpose of giving some supposed advantage to a political party. or for any other purpose. unless it was to destroy absolutely the Government. could ever have given their consent in the face of the Constitution of the United States to this declaration that the chief supervisors of election now in office are charged within theirdistricts with the enforcement of the national election laws. These national election laws. he it remembered. are. on both sides of the Chamber. said to be very important laws.