republicans since the 1880s had been calling for federal oversight of elections, to try to halt the discriminatory abuses in the south. representative henry cabot lodge and senator george hoar led a renewed effort in early 1890, when lodge introduced a federal elections bill to enforce provisions of the 15th amendment giving citizens the right to vote. henry cheatham was the only black congressman at the time and never gave a speech while the house considered the bill. it narrowly passed the house in july but languished in the senate; it was eventually filibustered by southern democrats, overwhelmed by debate on silver coinage to relieve economic strain in rural areas.