Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-06-04

city of New York in 1878, one hundred and eight
votes were cast, when in fact the number of law
| full votes cast could not have exceeded as per
cent. of the actual voters of the CITY, By this
| statement the number of fraudulent votes at that
election In the city of New York alone WAS be-
completely reversed the result of the election IN
| the state OF New York. both as to the choice of
governor ana state officers and to the choice of
| electors OF president and vice president of the
United States. They attracted the attention of
whole country. 1t was SAID that if they could be
continued and repeated with impunity free gov
ernment was impossible. A distinguished sena-
tor in opposing the passage of the election laws,
declared he had for long time believed that our
form OF government was comparatively failure
in the larger cities TO meet these evils and to
prevent these crimes the United States laws repu-
latlng congressional elections were enacted
THE TRAINERS OF THESE LAWS
have not been disappointed in their results. In
large CUES under their provisions the elections
have been comparatively peaceable, orderly and
honest. Even the opponents of these laws have
borne testimony to their value and efficiency and
to the necessity for their enactment. The COM
mittee OF the 44th congress, composed of mem.
bers, majority OF whom were opposed to these
laws, in their report on the New York election Of
1876 said: the committee would commend to other
portions OF the country and to other cities the re-
ofboth local and federal authorities acting in har
mony FOR an honest purpose In no portion of
the world ana IN no era of time where there has
the forms OF law, has there been more complete
and thorough illustration of republican institu-
tons. whatever may have been the previous
habit or conduct of elections in those cities, or
however tney may conduct themselves in the
future, the elections of 1876 will stand as monu-
ment OF what good faith. honest means on legal
forms and just authority may do for e protection
OF the electoral franchise
THIS BILL RECOGNIZES
the authority and duty Of the United States to an
point supervisors t. guard and scrulinize congress
sonal elections, but it denies to the government of
the United States all power to make its supervision
efectual The great body of all parties want free
and fair elections They do not think a free
election means freedom from wholesome restraints
Of law or that the place of election should be the
sanctuary Tor lawlessness and crime On the day of
an election, peace and good order ne cessary
than on any other day of the year On that day the
humbest and feeblest citizens aged and afirm,
should be and should have to feel that they
are safe in the exercise of their most responsible
duty and their most sacred right as members of so
ciety-their duty and their right to VOTE The con-
stutlonal authority to regulate congressional cleo
tons which belongs to the government of the United
States ana which it Is necessary to exert secure
the right to vote to every citizen possessing the
requisite qualifications ought to be enforced by ap-
proprlate legislation. So far from Dublic oninion
in any part of the country favorng any relaxation
of the authority of the government in the protection
of elections from violence and corruption believe
it
DEMANDS GREATER vIGoR
6oth IN the enactment and in the execution of law
framed for that purpose. Any oppression any par
tsan partallty which experience may have shown
in the working of existing laws, may we'll engage
the careful attention both Of CON gress and of the
executive in their respective spheres of duty for the
corrections OF these mischiefs. AS no
congressional elections until after the regular
session of congress will have been held, there
seems to be no party exgency, that would preclude
reasonable consideration at that session of any ad-
minstration details that might improve present
methods designed for the protection of all citizens in
the complete and equal exercise of the rs hit and
power OF suffrage at such elections. But with nv
views both of the constituonality and of the value
of existing laws
1 CANNOT APPROVE
any measure for their repeal, except in connection
with the enactment of other legislation which NAV
reasonably be expected to afford wiser and more efl.
Gent Safeguards for free and honest congressional
elections.
(Signed) RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
Executive Mansion May 80, 1879