The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-15
PRICE TWO CENTS.
FRANCIS KERNANS VOICE.
HEARD FOR FREEDOM At THE POLLS,
AND AN HONEST COUNT

His speech In the senate on the Legislative
Bni-Answering Mr.. ConkIiuR's Averments
ns to Elections In the city Of New York.
WASHINGTON, May 4.-Speaking upon tho
Legislative Appropriation bill Mr. Herman
Dem. N. " said in the Senate that the jurors
test oath should be repealed People in the
South. however intelligent. were excluded from
Jury duty II. in however slight manner they
had aided the rebellion. Impartial juries could
not be obtained.
MIR. Herman tn on proceeded to oppose the use
OF the army at the polls. This ought not. ho
said. to be party question. In the canvass Of
1S40 Mr.. Webster with others, said that tho
patronage. power. and influence Of the Federal
Executive had increased were largely ncreas-
ing and ought to DO checked. lie heard with
some surprise the Senator from Minnesota
tMr. windom) say that free votes. free
mobs. and free frauds were dear to
tho Democrats. This was a great SLAM
der on the 250OO0 majority OF 1875
over an equal number OF the other party.
II the army was to be used Mt the polls ii would
be employed by one party To- tho oppression ~
the Othcr-no matter which party might be in
power. whether Republican or Democratic. IL
his mt kernan'sl party were in power and n
proposition was made ON the other side to pro-
hihit interference at the polls. he would feel
ashamed Of himself If he did not vote TO re-
move this danger out Of the way rs readily as
it the movement came from those with whoin
he is politically associatrd For more than
seventy-nve years from the commencement of
the Government no statesman, politician or cit
izcn ever declared that the Executive should
have tho power 10 send armed troops to tho
polls under prctence OF keeping peace or any
other alleged purpose.
Mr. kernnn said he was pained to hear his
colleague (Nlr. Conklingl speak with regard to
their State that the presence of the Federal
army was necessary to protect the people from
thieves. thugs. bucket men. and the slums IN
the city Of New York But his colleague knew
that the great mass Of citizens Of both parties
were willing and able OF themselves to keep the
peace ~ the polls.
Mr.. Herman then proceeded to defend the
Democratic party from the attacks Of his col
league. and named the Democrats who were
elected Governor but not by thugs and thieves.
First. William l.. Marcy
Mr.. Morrill, inquired whether this was the
same Marcy who declared that to the victors
belong the spois 2"
:. Mr.. Herman replied it was doubtless Joke,
He next named Gov. Bouck. Silns Wright and
next Horatio Seymour. who could not go into
any asscmblage without being greeted by ap-
plnuse also Messrs. Hoffman Tilden. and Rob-
inson. the last named the present Governor.
For iOrty years New York has had honest. ZEAL
Gus men and Democrats Tor Governors, and yet
the people were asked to believe that tho Demo-
cratic party want fraud. violence. and ruiilan-
MIR. Morrill, asked whether this was the came
Tllden who had not paid his income tax.
Mr.. Herman replied that he had heard that tho
Government had failed to make "a case.
Mr.. Eaton inquired whether this was not the
same Ilden who WAS elected President but was
cheated out Of the Office.
Mr.. Herman replied he was tho same man
whom the majority Of the people believed was
elected and who would clean out the Augean
stables in the Union as he had the populations
in New York The Democrats thought they
were beaten by dishonest count. II was not
true. as had been said by his colleague. that the
Democrats want certain laws repealed because.
with the retention Of these laws, they could not
hope for success. AS for himself. he lMr. Kerr
nam wanted nothing but honest and peaceful
elections. and SO II was with his party. But the
Democrats could carry the State Of New York,
They carried the State in 1874. 1875. 1876. and
1871 and carried 1t 10y fair elections Mr.,
Herman. In conclusion. reviewed the conduct %
supervisors at elections. including that oi Mr..
Davenport. arguing that the law was dangerous.