The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-05-22
Veto Message.


ing is the message Of the President Of
the United States returning to the
House Of Representatives bill entitled
Gan act to prohibit military interference
at elections
To the House of Representatives,
After careful consideration Of the bill
entitled "An act to prohibit military in
reference at elections" ! return it to the
House of Representatives in which it
originated, with the following objections
to its approval. In communication
sent to the House of Representatives on
the 29th Of last month, returning to the
House without my approval the bill en-
titled can act making appropriations
for support of the army for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1880, and for other
purposes" L endeavored to show by
quotations from statutes Of the United
States now in force, and by brief state
ment Of facts in regard to the recent
elections in several States, that no adj
ditional legislation was necessary to
prev ent interference with elections by
the army or naval forces of the United
States. The fact was presented in that
communication, that at the time of the
passage of the act of June Is, 1878, in
relation to the employment of the army
as "posse comitatus" or otherwise, it
was maintained by its friends that it
would establish vital and fundamental
principle which would secure to the peo-
pie protection against standing army
The fact was also referred to that since
the passage of this act, Congressional,
State and municipal elections, have been
held throughout the Union, and that in
no instance has complaint been made of
the presence of u. 8. soldiers at the
polls. Holding, as l do, the opinion
that any military interference whatever
at the polls is contrary to the spirit of
our institutions, and would tend to
destroy the freedom of elections; and
sincerely desiring to concur with Congress
in all its measures, it is with very, very
great regret that am forced to the con-
ciusion that the bill before me is not
only unnecessary to prevent such inter
ference, but is dangerous departure
from lorg settled and important consti-
tutional principles The true rule as to
the employment of military force at
elections is not doubtful. No intimida-
ton or coercion should be allowed to
control or influence citizens in the exer-
else of their right to vote whether it
appears in the shape of combinations of
evil disposed persons, or of armed bodies
of militia of State, or of the military
force of the United States. The election
should be free from all forcible interfer-
ence, and, as far as practicable, from all
apprehension of such interference. No
soldiers, either Of the Union or State
militia, should be present at polls to take
the place or perform the duties of an
ordinary civil police force. There is and
will be no violation of this rule under
orders from me during this administra-
ton, but there should be no denial of the
right Of the national government to en-
ploy its military force on any day or at
any place in case such employment is
necessary to enforce the constitution and
laws of the United States. The bill be-
fore me is as follows:
Be it enacted, etc., that it shall not DO law
full to bring or employ at any place where a
general or special election is being held in
State, any part Of the army or navy of the
United States, only when such force be nec-
essary to repel armed enemies of the United
States or to enforce section four, article
four of the constitution and United States
laws made in pursuance thereof, on applica-
ton of the Legislature or executive of the
State where such force il to be used; and so
much of all laws as is inconsistent herewith
is hereby repealed
1t will be observed that the bill ex-
empts from general prohibition against
the employment of military forces at the
polls, two specified cases. These cx-
ceptions recognize and concede the
true soundness Of the prin-
ciple that military force may properly
and constitutionally be used at places of
elections, when such use is necessary to
enforce the constitution and laws, but
the excepted cases leave prohibition so
extensive and far reaching tina. its
adoption will seriously impair the eilic-
iency of the executive department of
the Government