The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-12-14
Hayes Message.
y. O. Democrat

y. O. Democrat,
1t begins with an alusiou to tn
yellow fever epedcmic, which CARRIE
desolation to so large section of tn
country, and in tins connection i
recommends Irrational sanitary ad
ministration," which shalt not onl,
control quarantine, bnt have the san
itary supervision of eternal commerce
in time of epidem;cs, and hold an ad
visory relation" to the local healtl
authorities, which "power to dea
with whatever endangers the public
health,' but which the local author
tiles are unable to regulate.
! The next, and the most important
subject discussed is the practical re-
cognition of the right of suffrage SO
cured to the negro by constitutions
amendments, in connection with tn
recent elections in the South.
This is declared to be the para.
mount question in American politics
and it is accorded corresponding
importance by Mr.. Hayes in his mes
sage. He assures US that the friends
of law and order have been grievous
~ disappointed in regard to the "de-
gree in which the right of suffrage
could be exercised by the colored
people, and would be respected by
their fellow-citizens' at the South.
1t is the opinion of Mr.. Hayes that
nowhere in the South was the negro
able to make his opinions felt. In
some of these States, however, he as
sures us that the influences used on
the negro were of a character that
can neither be measured nor reached
by law. What there is atrocious in
such influences as these, or what
wrong has resulted or can even re-
result from their operation, we are at
a loss to imagine. Doubtless Mr..
Hayes won|d be at an equal loss to
define what he.means more clearly
than that, under these influences, the
negroes did not elect Republicans
and did elect Democrats, and that
"hadn't OTTER be-"
He is somewhat moro clear and
positive in regard to the doings 10
Louisiana and South Carolina Eat
large,' and in some particular con-
gIess,onal districts outside of those
States. In these localities, he informs
rs, the negro has been bulldozed, in
undated and put down by violence
and fraud. The law can reach these
offenders, and he promises Us that
nothing shall be left undone by the
Executive to secure their conviction
and punishment. In other words, he
haze determined on a repetition of the
outrageous and wholesale persecution
of the people of a number of locali-
ties in che South, such as character
lied the days of Grantism.
He has even the etfrontery to ap.
peal "with confidence" to Demo-
cratic Congress to increase the ap.
preparations for the Department of
Justice, in order to supply the means
to carry on this crusade, the expen-
ses of which he is assured by the At
torney General, will largely exceed
the present fund.
In another portion of the message
he recommends, also, the repeal of
the act of 1873, forbidding the "use
of the army as a posse comitatus, or
otherwise, for the purpose at execu-
ting the laws, except in such cases
and under such circumstances as may
I've expressly authorized by the con.
stitution or by act of C"ngress.'
The Democratic Congress will he
very apt to give these recommends.
t'ous Of Mr.. Hayes a very powerful
consideration.
Diminishing this subject, the ines.
sage proceeds to refer to the Paris
Exposition, the silver conference, the
Halifax fishery award, the restoration
of peace in Cuba, the revised treaty
with Japan and the establishment OF
diplomatic and treaty relations with
China, Italy, Mexico, Samoa, aud the
Central aud Southern American
States. The policy of the govern
ment on the Rio Grande has been
most satisfactory, both to the United
States and to Mexico, and the pros
poets for closer relations between the
two countries are looked forward to
with confidence.
The operations of tho Treasury De.
partment come up for consideration
next in order. After giving a state
ment of the revenues and actual ex-
penses of the Government and the
reduction of the public debt, it is re-
that the law authorizing
the issue of the four per cents be 90
that small sums may be in
vested and the freest opportunity
given, through the postoftices az
for such investmeptd tn
money so received to be 81 bonds.
the redemption of six per noint con-.
The message upon .,tnendation to
cludes with the res in the existing
avoid a radical chou. Notwithstand:
financial i legt6 we trust to see re.
ing all : Of i, tax on State banks at the
Pea' c.'session of Congress.
pree:sffegs.d to the War Department,
nere is nothing, either 10 the way Of
ecital or Recommendation, of any
General importance. A pension to
he widow of Lieut.. H. Fl. Benner,
he establishment of an annuity scheme
or the benefit of the heirs Of deceas
d officers, and the repeal of the act
orbiddiDg the use of the army as a
,osse comitdtus are recommended.
In regard to the Postofice Depart
nent, certain questions are'suggested,
he discussion of which can only tend
o embarrass our already defective
'ervice. 1t is suggested that rates Of
postage that will defray the expenses
If the service might be adopted. The