The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-29
TROOPS At THE POLLS.
Debate In the House Concerning tho Presi-
dents Control Of the Army.

dents Control Of the Army.
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-Memorlal Of j.
j. Wilson. claiming to havo boon elected to
Congress from the Ninth Iowa District. was
presented. Tho October elections in that State
were declared by some to hnvc been unconsti-
tutional and some persons voted in November
Mr. Conger tiep., Mich.l objected to recciv-
ing tho memorial. After debate the Speaker
admitted it rs involving question OF privilege.
and II was ordered referred to the Committee
on Elections when that committee is appointed
Mr. Young u}ep.. Ohiol said that n resolution
had been adopted for the investigation Of
charges made against himself and his col
league Mr.. Butterworth rep. Ohiol-charGcs
which. If true. ought to send both to the peni-
tertiary. They had felt the sting Of that at
tack. and had brought the subject before the
Grand Jury OF Hamilton County. majority Of
whom were Democrats. That body had re-
ported that it had examined nfty witnesses. in
Guiding those persons who had signed tho
memorial presented to Congress and from the
testimony given Ind found nothing to warrant
its taking any action
Mr.. ,Dibre Dem.. Tomb submitted an
amendment 10 the Army bin. providing that
nothing in the act shall prevent the promotion
81 any captain who has served twenty years in
On motion Of Mr.. Cnlklns (Rep., Ind). nm
amendment was adopted providing th0j nny
officer hereafter retired on account of wounds
received I'm action. shall be retired at tho high
est rank he ever held exclusive II hrcvct rank
IN the regular or volunteer service
MIR. Tucker Dem. Nnl submitted nm amcnd-
mcnt To repeal the scction Of tho REVISED Stnt-
utes which prohibits the aupointmcnt to the
army ui any person who served. in any 'upu-
Confederate Sintrs.
Mr.. Coneer Rep. Michl rose to point Of or
der ngntust the amendment.
Mr.. Tucker trusted that the stigmn which
rests on a very large class IN the South would
be wiped ont ~ the statute books. la this era
tho Republican sdp there should boz no longer
such n stigma. II should no longer be- provided
by law that men who were worthy 10 make laws
m Congress were unworthy to hold cOmmls-
sion I'm tho army.
Mr.. Congcr nreued TINT tho amendment was
new legislation. hut rs his party friends de-
sired 10 meet The issue IN a manly way, he
withdraw his point of order
Mr.. Sparks dem. ND renewed 1t. and tho
Chairman sustained the point
Section six. repeating tho statutes nllow-
lng troops at the polls was read. Mcssrs.
Congcr. Frye. and Robinson argued that tho
section docs not rrtreuch expenditures the
hitter saying: 60 II Congress undertakes to do
what tho Constitution says il shall not do. it
docs not CONTROL the power OF the President. or
save n dollar
Mr.. Mclean DEM NH contendcl that
Congress has power 90 make rules for tho gov
eminent Of the army and the nayy he had not
heard TINT power questioned.
Mr.. Haskell Rep. Knn.l-Unlcr the opera
ton OF this law. do You pretend e. say that
under 40 circumstances shall any armed body
90 troops bee sent II any poll? / ask YOU
G oycrHcr N Of 6 e STATE ,aS NdH% Yar s6oa On
election day, ask the President that troops
should be given him right there ~ the polle To
put down violence. the troops would not he sent
under the Constitution
Mr.. McLcan-Whoncvcr tho Governor OF a
State cortlilr- To the President that he cannot
suppress lnsurrecton that is existing. the Pres
idrnt is bound 10y the Constitution 10 send
Mr. Mcmahon Dem. O. The section spoaka
~ armed enemies of the United States. ] ask
tho gentleman from KANSAS. whom o. persons
become armed enemies of the United States
Mr.. Haskell-Judging from the remarks on
one side Of this House, since tho Foriy-fourth
Congress. ! declare before my Maker that | do
not know what that sldc OF the House would
consider 20 bee armed enemies of the United
States. Applause on III" Republican sidel
Mr.. Carlisle dem. KY thought the House
and the country would hesitate long time be-
fore accepting the doctrine that the President
II the United States. rs Commander int hief oi
the Army. can transport troops wherever he
pleases and use them for whatever purpose he
Ilcases. with or without tho consent Of Con-
greSs. This WAS the first time he had ever
heard such doctrine announced 10y n gentleman
OF such responsibility and Intelligence a. tho
gentleman from Maine tMr, FDeL In this
country. the President could not enlist arm
equip. or use single soldier without the con
sent OF Congress. and vet there WIS now claimed
moro dangerous 20 the liberties 90 the people
than tho monarch ~ Grent Britain un-sessel
Tie uudcrt1ok 90 Affirm that under the t1u-i tu-
| ton Of 90" uii'l states the President had no
rant O. n-r the army or tho navy urany part Of
u. 90 protect thr S,uios against domestic Ni1-
l"nce or % enforce tue STATE laws ga cpt be was
authorized tp 90 $50 lv uct OFF Congress.
Mr. BHyne Rep. Pa.l-Dld not this legislation
which % Is now proposed % repeal confer it
upon him
Mr. Carisle-Yes. and the same power that
conferred authority upon him hr Legislation
can tako u away from him. Applause on the
Democratic -ldr.I
The definite WIS continued NJ great lcncth hy
Mos -rs. Carlisle Fry and Robson the ar.u-
m"ut 80 Mr.. Carlisle b.ius tbpt tue pre,iIrui
has no right. hy the Constitution. ~ ORDER
troops o. the po..s. and that oi the others that
he has.
Mr.. Hooker Dem, Miss thought 1t WINS a
startling proposition by some gentleman ou tive
other side that there WINS a man ln this country
superior 10 the legislative branch oi tho Gov
rrum mont. and who could do more than the laW
authorized him 90 do. There was mo- man in
the country however high lis POSITION. whl
must not lower his ,ordly hoai IN obedience 6,
IN" great law OF 1an M pro'luimoI hy th,
commons OF his cOuutry-iNc rrprrSrntttI yes
OF the people. II WAS tho right oi tho people
and the duty ~ their repres natives a. spy
how when. md undcr what circumstances the
army should bee used.
Without acting the House adjourned.
MRS. EMILY GRIUiM'S DEATH