The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-07
The Game to Capture the Presidency.

The Game TO Capture the Presidency.
The veto message was not confined TO
the bill which Congress had passed by
decisive majorites in both Houses In the
hope of making up a partisan issue, the
Fraudulent President, under the dictation
Of the Republican caucus, went out of his
way to introduce and commend in the fol-
lowing style the DAVENPORT machinery,
which had been invented in 1871 TO carry
this state for Gen. GRANT at the ensuing
Presidential election:
Among the valuable enactments to which
have referred those which protect the supervisors
Federal elections In the discharge VI their duties at the
polls"
II was eminently fit that the man who
had prollted by the enormities of super
visors and deputy marshals in 1876. should
go out OF his way to praise their efficiency
aud zeal as workers for the Republican
party. They were paid more than a quar-.
ter of a million Of dollars that year for cleo
tioneering services. every dime Of which
came from taxes levied on the people at
large. And they drew from the Treasury u
quarter OF n million more last fall for help
ing elect Republicans TO Congress.
What is this monstrous law, passed by a
majority virtually appointed by the then
President, through military interference
and never fairly elected by the people at
all ? Here 1t is in all its naked deformity:
sac 5.522 Every person, whether with or without
any authority. power, or process. pretended power
process, Of any State Territory municipality who
obstructs binders assaults by bribery. solicitation
otherwise inereres with or prevents the supervisors
OF election, or either OF them, the marshal his
general or special deputies. either OF them. in
the performance Of any duty required Of them
or either Of them which he or they. or
either OF them may be authorized to perform by any
law Of the United States In the execution OF process
or otherwise or who by any Of the means before
toned binders prevents the free attendance aud pres
ence at such places Of registration at such poll, Of
election. full aud free AMI egrcss and from
any such place Of registration poll Of election or In
going TO or from any such place Of registration poll q
election. to and from where any such regis
uaton election OF votes Of making any
returns or ceruncates thereof may be had who mo
Tests intereres with removes rejects from any such
place Of registration poll OF election OF cAnyasng
votes cast thereat OF making returns certificates
thereof any supervisor OF election the marshal or his
general or special deputies either OF them, who
threatens attempts. offers do. refuses or
"e7fs to aid and assist any supervisor Of election the
marshal or his general special deputies, either OF
them, In the performance OF his their duties when
CURED by him or them or either Of them To such
aid and assistance shall be liable To without
and shall be punished by imprisonment
than two years or by fine OF not than sou or
by both such fine and imprisonment and shall pay the
costs VI the prosecution
Tho States are not only invaded by this
partisan enactment in defiance OF the Con-
stitution, but in fragrant disregard OF all
the local laws made to protect the freedom
nf elections, 10 prevent violence, and to pre-
serve the peace. These supervisors. mar
shals, and general and deputy marshals are
clothed with a power which strikes down
the personal liberty of the citizen, and COM
mits his very life to the discretion OF the
worst class OF partlsans. who may make
instant arrest without process" and in
their blind fury may main or murder with
out the least danger They are made the
sole judges OF the necessity, and, by con-
Nenient perjury, they may imprison inno-
cent men, and load them down with pen
alties.
The vlest despotism mover conceived n
more infamous system than this Is. Pro-
fessedly, it is confined to Congressional cleo
tions; but mark the practical operation.
Another act provides that the election OF
representative IItNluNhL anu ' ltc-Ilchl-
dent, shall take place on the same day in
every State where the Constitution Of that
State has not otherwise provided. For COLI
venience, the States have ordered their cleo
tions for State, county, city, aud town OIL
ccrs to be held on the same day with that
for President and Congress in the wear when
the latter are chosen together. Hence it is
seen that under the pretence of supervising
elections for Congress, this law enters into,
Affects, and controls the whole canvass
Herein lies the secret Of the late veto. and OF
others which have yet TO come. Tho Repub-
lican party sees its last hope Of continued
existence in success at the next Presiden-
tial election. 1t is desperate, and If Con
gress yields, the sword, the purse. and
these unconstitutional election laws will be
used without scruplo to retain ascendency
Let the country not be deceived. The issue
Is plain, and must be squarely met.