Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-30

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incorporated by the House in the bill
in reference 10 the use of armed men in
\ peace. The Senate had already inelud-
ed what they called and what we might
accept as principle, but they had
I stricken out the penalty and had strick-
en- out the word expressly so that
the army might be used in all cases
where implied authority might be inter-
fered with. The House committee plant
Ell themselves firmly upon the doctrine
that rather than yield this fundamen-
tai principle, for which for three years
this House had struggled, they would
allow the bill TO fail, notwithstanding
the reforms that we had secured, regard
| ing these reforms of but little conse-
quenee along side the great principle
/ that the army of the United States,
in time of peace, should he
\ under the control of Congress and Obe-
dent to its laws. After long and pro-
| tracted negotiations the Senate commit
tee have conceded that principle in all
/ its length and breadth, including the
I penalty which the Senate had stricken
/ out. We bring you back, therefore, q
/ repOrt-a report with the alteration of
/ a single word, which lawyers assure me
/ is proper TO be made, restoring TO this
/ bill the principle for which We have con-
/ tended so long and which is so vital to
secure the rights and liberties of the
people. Thus have We this day secured
TO the people of this country the same
great protection against the standing
army which cost a struggle OF two hun
dred wears for the Commons of England
10 secure for the British people"
From this brief review OF the subject
it sufficiently appears that under exist
ing laws there
Can be no Military Interference with
Elections.
No case OF such interference has, in fact,
occurred since the passage OF the act last
referred 10; no officer of the United
States has appeared under orders at any
place OF election in any State, and no
complaint even Of the presence of United
States troops has been made in any
quarter. 1t may therefore be confident
ly stated that there is no necessity for
the enactment of section six OF the bill
before me to prevent military interfer-
ance at elections. The laws already in
force are all that is required for that end,
but that part OF section six OF this oil
which is significant and vitally impOr-
tant, is the clause which il adopted will
deprive the civil authorities OF the United
States Of all power to keep the peace at
Congressional elections. Congressional
elections in every district, in
every important sense, are justly
matters OF political interest and concern
throughout the whole country. Each
State and every political party is entitled
10 a share Of the power which Is con-
ierred by legal and Constitutional sui
frage. Ii is the right OF every citizen,
possessing the qualifications prescribed
by law, TO cast one unintimidated ballot,
and to have his ballot honestly counted.
SO long as the exercise OF this power
and the endowment of this right are com
mn and equal, practically as well as
formally, submission to suffrage VIII
be accorded Loyalty and cheerfully, and
the departments OF the Government
will feel the true yigor OF the popular
will thus expressed. Two provisions OF
the Constitution authorize legislation by
Congress for the
Regulation Of Congressional Elections
Section 4, Of Article / of the COnsti-
III.
manner OF holding elections for Sena-
tors and Representatives, shall be- pre-
scribed i'm each State by the Legislature
thereof, but Congress may at any time,
by law, make or alter such regulations
except as to the places ol choosing Sen
atOrs.
The Fifteenth Amendment OF the
Constitution is as follows:
SEC. l. The right of citizens OF the
United States To- vote, shall not be
denied or abridged 10y the United States
or bv any State, on account of race,
color, or previous condition OF serYl-
tude.
SEC. .. The Congress shall have
power To enforce this article by appro-
pirate legislation.
The Supreme Court has held that this
amendment invests the citizens of the
United States with a new constitutional
right which is within the protecting
power of Congress. That right the
court declares 10 be an exemption from
discrimination in the exercise of the
elective franchise on account OF nace,
color or previous condition OF scryltude
The power of Congress 10 protect this
right by appropriate legislation Is eN-
prrssly affirmed by the court. Ma
tional legislation to provide safe guards
for free and honest elections Is neces-
Sarv, as experience has shown, not only
Ia secure the right to vote 10 the eniran-
chised race in the South, but also To pre-
vent fraudulent voting IN the large
cities Of the North. Congress has,
therefore, exercised the power conferred
bv the constitution, and has enacted
certain laws % prevent discrimination
on account OF race, color or previous
condition OF servitude, and to punish
fraud. violence and intimidation at Fed
eral elections. Attention is called 10
the following sections of the Revised
Statutes of the United States, VIZ:
Spc. 2.OO4. Which guarantees all c.ti-
zanS herightto vote without distinction
Of race, color, or previous condition ot
servitude.
SEC. zoos and zoos, Which guaran'
tee to all citizens eqCal opportunity,
without discrimination, to perform al
the acts required by Law as Prerequls-
lite or Qualification for voting.
SIC. 2,0G2, Which authorizes the
United States marshal and his deputies
I 70 keep peace and preserve orderat fed-
eral elections
SEr. 2.O24. Which expressly author
ires the United marshal and his depu-
ties 10 summon pose ooH''idi'is when
ever they, or any OF them, are iorcioiy
! resisted in the execution OF their duties
I under the law, and are prevented irom
executing their duty by violation
SIC. 2,522, Which provides tor the
punishment OF the crime OF interfering
with suDervisorso OF elections and deputy
marshals in the discharge OF their duties
Al the elections Of Representatives. IN Con
gress. These are some OF The laws on
I this subject which II Is the duty OF tDe
/ Executive Department OF the Govern
ment to enforce.
| The Intent and Eject
Of the sixth section of this bill Is to pro,
! hibit all civil officers OF the United