New-York tribune., 1879-03-28
IpY rrIRGRApn mo- IHE TRIRuNEl

son AND OTuERS-A PLAN OF ACllON IN hL-
GARD TO THE ARMY AND THE ELECTIONS
ADOPTED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, March 27-The Republicans OF
the House of Representatives held an important
consultation after the adjournment this afternoon,
in regard to the political legislation proposed by
the Democrats in the appropriation bills.
The Republican Executive Committee had pre-
viously held meeting and adopted a report which
was submitted to the caucus to-day and which was
agreed to almost unanimously This report recon-
mended that the Republicans make stand against
the clause of the Army bill it was introduced to-
day. forbidding the of troops to keep the peace
at the polls.
In the first place a point of order will be made
against the clause, and pressed with all the vigor
which the Republicans can summon. The l2Oth
rule of the House declares Nor shall any provision
in any such appropriation bill or amendment
thereto changing existing law be in order except
such as, being eermane to the subject matter OF
the bill shall retrench expenditures" This
provision making it unlawful TO take troops
TO the polls any election day certainly
does change existing law and does not Eetrench ex-
pendtures, so that it is hard to see how the char
man of the Committee of the Whole can rule 1t in,
order when the question is raised. This point Of
order was not made against this prov isiOn when
Mr. Abram S. Hewitt moved it amendment
TO the Army bill in the last Congress,
so that no ruling upon it has been
made by the Chair. If the Republicans are
beaten in their attempt to have the clause in ques-
tiou stricken out being out of order then it will
be opposed because of ITS revolutionary character.
The Republicans will urge that legislation OF this
kind ought to stand on its own merits, and not be
thrust in upon appropriation bill and its accept
ance made a condition Of passing that bill
Another objection which the Republicans will
make is that the Democrats propose 10 degrade the
United States by forbdding the Government to do
what the States may do at elections where the au-
thority of the United States is supreme. The Con-
stitutions and laws of the States do not
make it a penal offence to State militia
to quell election riots nor is it un-
lawful for volunteer military organizations like
the rifle clubs of South Carolina, to parade
about the polls on election day. The Constitution
of the United States gives to Congress supreme
control over the election of Representatives. and to
allow the State authorities to take their militia
where voting is in progress, and to permit ire
sponsible armed organizations to go there OF their
own accord, while the United States cannot
use its own troops to preserve order at
National elections, is, when it comes to
be examined, a strange anomaly in law
making The Army of the United States is main
tanned in time of peace to preserve order when the
civil authorities are unable to do so and to preserve
it on all days and in all places. Why, the Repub-
cans will ask. should it be forbidden to preserve
order on election days. the very time when violence
ought to be suppressed most promptyf
Mr. Keifer called attention IN the caucus to very
important feature of the proposed legislation in re-
gard to the use of troops at the polls Section 2OO2
of the Revised Statutes is as follows:
No military naval officer. or other person engaged
States shall order bring keep under his author
ity control apy troops or arneu men at iIe plce
state be necessary repel the armed enemies
OF the United States or 10 keep the peace at the polls
The Democrats propose to strike out the last
eight words, cor to keep the peace at tho polls"
The section will then declare that "NO ''' person
engaged in the Civil - Service of the United
States shall order, bring, keep have under his au-
thority or control armed men at the place where
any general special election is held in any State'
Mr. Kelfer pointed out that if this should be agreed
10 it would prevent any United States Marshal
from bringing or having under his authority at the
polls anv armed men, and will accomplish almost all
in regard to the duties of United States Marshals
on such occasions which the Democrats Will attempt
10 ACCOMPLISH more directly by their proposed re-
peal OF the election laws This fact seems TO have
been lost sight of by the Republicans in the last
Congress; but when attention was called to it to-
day il caused a considerable stir in the caucus.
When this part of the subject is under discussion in
the Housel several amendments will be offered by
the Republicans to show up the position in which
the Democrats have placed themselves For instance
n clause forbidding the presence OF the militia at
the polls on election day, and also thar OF a,men t
volunteers of any kind, will be proposed, ana the
Democrats Will be gwen opportunity TO say
whether they mean to prevent United states Sol
diers from quellinG election riots, While declaring
that the South Carolina red shirts may DuLdoze
voters to their hearts content
II is true that the Republicans are little embar-
raised by the fact that they expressed wiling
ness at the last session TO cOncede the legislation
now under consideration. If this point is raised by
the Democrats it Will be shown that the clrcum-
stances have changed since this question was con-
sidered in the last Congress- Then the Republicans
were anxious TO prevent an extra session WIN us
train of dis astrOus consequences, while now the
extra session has been called and no CONCESSION can
blot il out of existence. Again II was then sup
posed that the amendment offered by Mr. Hewitt
meant nothing more than appeared on It's race.
The Republicans might be willing now 10 agree
that it should be unlawful to take United States
troops to the polls If that were all that is pro-
posed and If the Democrats were Wiling 10 give
no their purpose to destroy the electlOn laws, Dut
thew do not like a compromise IN winch one side
does all the yielding.
General Hawlev spoke with remarkable force
and noint as did also Generals Garfield. and McCOok,
MIR Keifer Judge HOuck, OF tennessee, eX-Secre-
tary RobesOn and others ,,
The Republicans concluded that they would not
resort TO ibustering prevent the passage OF the
bill il II should contain the Objectionable clause,
but that they would demand ample time LOT deDa6
and amendment and would vote against the Dlu
if the political portion is not stricken out Inc
Republicans will make no pairs Wlth the DehOcIa's'
THE ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE.