Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-05-09

PASSAGE or TUE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ARMY

PASSAGE or TUE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ARMY
BILL.
The Republicans in b)th Houses held
caucus, on Monday evening, to consider the
army bill, adopted by the Democratic eau
Gus. The text of the bill is a. follows:
Whereas. The presenc, Of troops a: the polls is
contrary 10 the spirit Of our institutions and the
traditions Of our people, and tends u destroy the
freedom OF elections;
There fore he it enacted, etc that 1t shall not be
lawful to bring 10 or employ at any place where
general or special election is being held in State,
any part of the army navy OF the United States.
unless such force shall tie Necessary TO repel armed
enemies OF the United states or IL enforce section y
article I. OF the Constitution of the United States
and the laws mad" in pursuance thereof, on apph-
cation o, the Legislature or executive 81 tis otaie
where such force is 10 be used, and % much OF all
laws - ARE iucons tent herewith are hereby re-
resled.
In the Republican caucus, resolution was
submitted by Representative Joyce, of Yer
mont, which declared that the Republicans
did not propose to change the position they
took upon the Army hill, hat would insist
that the Executive should not be crippled in
his constitutional powers or he restrained in
the means which the Constitution and laws
give him TO execute the Federal laws. Scna-
tor Elmunls made 4 speech of forty minutes
upon the bill prepared By the Democratic
caucus lie analyzel it, provisions and
showed their relations t. existing laws, and
TO the Constitution lie took the strong
ground that the alleged compromise bill re
ported from the Democratic caucus was
worse in its provisions than the rider to either
of the appropriation bills, more dangerous
to the Liberties of tie people, and grosser
violation of the rights Of the Executive, and
that it should be opposed by the Republicans
unitedly. lie adjuccd illustrations to show
wherein the proposed bill would tie the
hands of the President. The Executive, he
showed, is sworn 10 execute the whole
Constitution and not one article of one sec
ton alone, as this bill proposes, and also to
execute sill the laws. lie is sworn TO exc
cute some laws which it would be utterly
impossible for him to carry out If the
Democratic caucus bill should be PASSED.
lie was questioned from all sides OF the
chamber, and his replies created a strong
sentiment ngains; the bill.
Senator IIoar, OF Massachusetts, also,
made vigorous opposition to the
bill. General IIawley and General
Keller, of Ohio, maintained that the
bill was designed to prevent the general
Government from protecting and regulating
it, own elections. and that it was blow
at the Constitutional power ci the Govern
ment. Ex-Secre;ary Robson, willie saying
that he should vote against the bill, ex-
pressed the opinion that it was not so oh
iectionablc Us some of the speakers thought.
Mr. Conkling denounced it As an attempt
to strip the national Government of power,
and az much menace aS the previous bill.
lie called attention to the fact that Mr..
Atkins, Chairman of the House Approprl-
alton Committee, had obtained leave of
absence for two weeks and gone to Ten
nessee, as evidence of the Democratic in
tention to hold back the appropriation bills
and coerce the President A rising vote
showed all but two were agreed that the
bill should he defeated, and one Of these
said he should vote against it. 1t was de-
cijcd that no resolution should be passed
binding Senator. and Representatives to any
particular course of action. Senator Elmunds
and Representative Robson and Frye were
then appointed committee TO prepare
substitute bill, which is as follows