The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-29
Promise and Performance.

The Democratic party is in majority In
both Houses Of Congress. In the last Con-
gress 1t had a majority in but one branch,
yet 1t refused to make appropriations for
the fiscal year, unless the Fraudulent Ex-
ecutive and the Republican Senate would
consent to the repeal Of certain laws, which
were contrary TO the spirit OF the Constitu-
ton and dangerous to the liberties OF the
people. In consequence Of this refusal, the
extra session was Called and when the
Forty-sixth Congress assembled, the Dem
ocrats had In their hands the whole legisla-
tive power granted by the Constitution, and
wero clearly supported 10 their position by
the public opinion of the country. Not
dollar could be appropriated or expended
without their consent; and they boldly an
nounced that not dollar should be appro-
priated or expended until the oppressive
laws were repealed and the menace to re-
publican institutions wholly removed. This
was the proclamation. But what is the
performance
They put clause In the Army Appropria-
tion bill prohibiting the use OF the army ia
elections, and HAYES vetoed 1t. Then they
passed the same bill, leaving out the clause
In dispute, but declaring that none Of the
moneys appropriated should be used TO pay
Tor the transportation or maintenance OF
troops on service connected with elections
This was signed. 1t amounts to nothing
Gen. JOHNSTON showed how the troops could
be ordered from one place to another, .on
thousand pretenccs, bearing no relation to
elections, but be really used for that partisan
purpose alone. The Fraudulent Admins
traton, and all the conspirators against the
purity OF elections, claim that they are just
rs free as they over were 10 stop the ballot
with the bayonet.
The Democrats said they were determined
that the peoples money should no longer
be used 10 maintain a swarm OF partisan
agents and strikers, under the title OF deputy
marshals, clothed with extraordinary pow
ers, TO arrest and imprison voters who
were disposed to exercise the right of suf-
frlge contrary to the wishes OF the powers
that be. Again they were met by the veto
They granted S6O00O0 for the marshals, but
provided that none Of 1t should be used TO
pay deputies engaged In bossng elections
and obstructing electors. Mr.. THURMAN sug-
Rested that the Republicans could pay their
servants out OF their campaign funds. But
Mr.. HAYES insisted that they must be paid
by the whole people. Now this appropria-
tioa and restriction are to be passed In n
separate bill, to be vetoed by HAYES, and Of
course abandoned by the Democrats. The
law will not be altered; the power TO OPP
press and terrorize the voter will not be
taken away The deputies will be appointed
VIII never the necessities OF the Republican
party require, and the bludgcon and the
bayonot will continue together at the polls
TO rcmlnd us OF "the best government the
world ever saw" Mr.. BAYARD, Mr. THUR
NAN, aud their patriotic colleagues have re-
peatedly declared that Congress shall not
pc permitted to adjourn until Mr.. HAYES
has been granted all the appropriations he
desires
Thus ends the Democratic stand for free
elections. They called it fight, struggle,
and various other heroic names; but the
; -vNr!d will call it some, hing vsyy different.