The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-02-03
TROOPS IN THE SOUTH.
President Grants Answer to the Congressional
Inquiry Concerning the Use OF
the Army.

OF REPRESENTATIVES,, pissed early In De-
cember, 1876. requesting the President
to transmit to that body copies of all
orders or directions emanatine from
him, or from either of the executive de-
partments, to any military commander
or civil officer, relating to the service of
the army In Virginia, South Carolina.
Louisiana and Florida, since the first of
August last, together with all reports
from any of said military or civil Off
GERS, the President has sent to the
House of Representatives the following
message:
After stating that the House re olu-
tlon reached him on the 9th of Decem-
Der, the President says:
1t was Immediately, or soon thereafter,
referred TO the Secretary of War and the At
torney General. the custodians of all retained
copies of all orders or directions given by the
executive department CT the government by the
above inquiry, together with all information
upon which SUCH orders or directions were
given. The inform alton, it will be observed
is voluminous, and with the limited clerical
force in the Department Of Justice, has con-
sumed the time up to the present. Many
communications accompanying this have
already been made public in connection with
MESA es heretofore sent to Congress This
class OF information includes important docu-
ments received from the Governor of South
Carolina and sent to Congress with my messages
on the subject of the Hamburg massacre
Also documents accompanying my response to
a resolution of TIE House of Represent atives
in regard to soldiers stationed at Petersburg
There have also come to me and to the De-
partment Of Justice, from time to time other
earnest, written communications from persons
holding public trusts. and others residing in
the South, of which / append hereto as bear
ing upon the precarlous condition of public
peace in these States These communications
have reason to regard ss made by respecta-
BILE and responsible men. Many of them depre-
cate the publication Of their names as involy-
ing danger to them personally. The reports
hereafter made by committees of Congress-
as the result OF their Inquiries in Mississippi
and In Louisiana, and newspapers of the
several States, recommending the MISSISSIPPI
plan, have also furnished important data for
estimating the danger to public peace
aud order in those States. It is enough to
say that these different kind, and sources of
evidence have left no doubt whatever
in my mind that intimidation has been used
and actual violence to an extent requiring aid
from the United States Where it was pracsi-
cable to furnish such aid, in Florida and In
Louisiana, well as in Mississippi Alabama
and Georgia troops of the United States have
been tut sparingly used and In no case 80 as
to interfere with the full exercise Of the right
OF suffrage. Very few troops were available
violence and intimidation in the states above
named. In no case except that OF South Caro-
lima was the lumber Of soldiers in auy state
increased in anticipation of the election, sav-
ing that twentyfour men and an officer were
sent from Fort Foote to Petersburg. Va.
where disturbances ere threatened prior to
the election. No troops were stationed at
voting places in Fl orida and louisiana re-
spectlyely. Small numbers of soldiers in said
states were stationed at such points in each
state as were most threatened with violence;
where they might be available as a posse for
the officer whose duty it was to preserve the
peace and prevent intimidation of voters.
Such disposition of the troops seemed to
me reasonable end justified by law and prece-
dent, while It's omission would have been in
consistent with the constitutional duty of the
President OF the United States 60 take care
that the laws be faithfully executed.
The statute expressly forbids the bringing
OF troops to polls, except where necessary to
Keep peace implying that to keep the peace it
may be done; but this even so far as / am
ADVISED, has not In an case been done The
stat1onIng of company or part of compeny
IN the vicinity were they would be available
to prevent riot has been the only use made of
troops prior to, and that at the time of cleo.
ton where so stationed they could be called in
on an emergency requiring it by marshal or
deputy marshal, as posse to aid in suppress
ing unlawful violence
me no ground to doubt that il there had been
more military force available, it would have
been my duty to have disposed of it in several
States, with view to the prevention of VIC
lence and Intimidation, which have undoubtedly
contributed to defeat the election law in Mis-
slssippl, Alabama and Georgia, as we'll as in
South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida
by Article 4, Section 4, OF the Constitution,
the United States shall guarantee to.every
State in the Union Republican form of gov
md on mil 30 &I,aT
or OF the executive, when the Legislature
cannot be convened, against domestic violence
by act OF Congress, Revised Statutes of the
United States, Section 1034-5, the President, in
case OF instruction in any state or of unlaw-
ful obstruction to the enforcement of the laws
OF the United States, by the ordinary course of
judicial proceedings, or whenever domestic
violence IN any state so obstructs the execu-
ton OF the laws thereof and of the United
STATES, as to deprive any portion Of the people
OF such state of their civil political rights, is
authorized to employ such parts of the land
and naval forces as he may deem necessary to
enforce the execution of the laws, and preserve
peace and sustain the authority of the state
and Of the United States. Acting under this
title, 90 Of the Revised Statutes of the United
States, | accompanied this sending Of troops to
South Carolina with a proclamation such as
therein presented.
Tho President is also authorized by act OF
Congress to employ such part of the land or
naval forces OF TIE United States as shall be
necessary to prevent violation, and to enforce
due execution of the provisions Of title "a of
tue revised Statutes of the United States for
the protection OF the civil rights of citizens,
among which is provision against conspira-
cles 10 prevent by force intinida, ion. or
threat, any citizen who is lawfully entitled to
vote from giving his support or advocacy In a
legal manner toward or in favor of the election
OF any lawfully qualified persons as an E. ector
FOR President or Vice-President, or as a mem
Der OF Congress of the United States.
United States Revised Statutes. 1889.
In cases falling under this title I
have not considered it necessary to
Issue proclamation to precede or accompany
the employment of such of the army as seem
ed to be necessary. In case of insurrection
against State Government. or against the
Government of the United States, proclama-
ton is approp' iate; but in keeping the peace
or the United States at an election at which
members OF Congress are elected no such call
from the state or proclamation by the Presi.
dent Is presented by the statute, or required
by precedent In the case of the South Caro-
Una, instruction and domestic violence against
the State Government were already shown,
and application of tho Governor thereof was
duly presented, and l could not deny his con-
sutunonsl request without abandoning my
duty as executive of the National Government.
The COMPANIES sLsliOned in tho otbar ststas