The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-02-06

The Prestdens's Reply so the House
Resolutions, Explaining the B"st-
mcsss


The president sent TO the House .
message in answer 10 the resolution oi
that body requesting copies of all or
ders or directions emanating from him
or either OF the departments relating
to service of the army in Virginia,
South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida
since the lst of August last. After
enmerating the documents accom-.
paying the message and giving the
kind aud sources of the evidence
brought TO him from sources of un.
questionable responsibility and re-
spectability. the president says:
"It is enough TO say that these diff
ferent kinds and sources of evidence
have left no doubt whatever in my
mind that intimidation has been used
and actual violence practiced to an ex-
tent requiring the aid of the United
States, where it was practicable to fur
n;sh such aid, in South Carolina and
Florids, aud in Louisiana, as well as
in Mississippi, Alabama aud Georgia.
Troops of the United States have been
bht sparinrly used, and in no case so
as TO interfere with the full exercise of
the right of suffrage. Very few troops
were available for the purpose of pre-
venting or subpressing violence or in
timidation in the States above named.
In no case, except that of South Caro-
lima, was the number of soldiers in any
State increased in anticipation OF the
elcctioe, saving that 2i men and an Of
ficer we're sent from Fort Foote TO Pc
tersbnrg, Va, where disturbances were
threatened prior to the election. No
troops we're stationed at voting places
in Florida and Louisiana, respectively.
Small numbers Of soldiers in said
States were stationed at such points in
each State as we're most threatened
with violence, where they might be
available as posse for the officer
whose duty it was TO preserve ,he peace
and prevent intimidation of voters. -
Such disposition of troops seemed to
me reasonable and justified by law and
precedent, while its omission would
have been inconsistent with the consti-
tutional duties ef the president of the
United States, to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed. The stat
utes expressly forbid the bringing of
troops TO polls except where it is nee
essary to keep the peace; implying
that to keep the peace it may be done.
Bnt this even, so far as have been ad-
vised, has not been done. The station
ing of a company, or part of compa-
ny. in vicinity where they would be
available to prevent riot has been the
only use made of troops prior to and
at the time of election.
'In the case of South Carolina, in
surreclion and domestic violence
against State government were cleaI-
~ shown, and the application of the
governor thereof was duly presented
and could not deny his constitutional
request without abandoning my duty
as chief executive Of the national gov
ernment. The companies stationed
in other States have been employed to
secure a better execution of the laws
of the United States and to preserve
the peace of the United States, after
the election had been had, and where
violence was apprehended by which
the returns from counties and precincts
might be destroyed. Troops were or
dered TO the State of Florida, aud
those already in Louisiana were order
ed TO points in the greatest danger OF
violence. I have not employed troops
on slight occasions nor in any case
where it has not been necessary to the
enforcement of the laws of the United
States.
"rhe evidence which has come to
me has left me no ground to doubt
that if there had been more military
force available it would have. been my
duty to have disposed Of it in several
States with a view to the prevention Of
the violence and intimidation which
have undoubtedly contributed to de-
feat the election law IN Mississippi,
Alabama aud Georgia, as well as in
South Carolina, Louisiana and
Florida"
The president recites at some length
the provisions of the constitution and
laws under which he justifies his action.