..., particularly one in Leflore County in 1889. The Lodge Elections Bill (sometimes called the Force Bill) would have allowed for federal oversight in Congressional Elections if enough citizens of a district requested it. It provoked reaction from white Democrats across the South. The other set of events...

... and indifferent in their attitude and manner. Lynch knew it was indicative of a change in the political situation which meant that he had before him the fight of his life. His advocacy and support of the Federal Elections Bill, commonly called the “Force Bill,” was occasionally given as the reason for this change...