Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-04-30
Veto of the Army Bill,

fetO OIL the ATm1 Diiis
The president yesterday sent into the
House his veto message on the army bill.
The message was not read because the
House at once adjourned out of respect to
the memory of Rush Clark, a representa-
tative from Iowa, who died Monday after
noon after m illness of few hours.
The president shows that the bill forbids
the presence 10 keep peace at the polls Of
not only all persons in the military service
of the United States but also of all persons
in the civil service.
He shows that the present laws impose
heavy penalties on all persons in the
military and service for interfering with
elections, the provisions being contained
both in the revised statutes and in the
law approved June Is. 1873, which pro-
hibits the use of the army rs posse COM
itatus or otherwise except where such use
is specially authorized by the Constitution
or act of congress. lie shows that the
aim of that law was to shut off the military
from the polls and that since its passage
that has been its Interpretation by the
executive as it was of its advocates when
passed Thus under existing laws there
can be no military interference with cleo
tions.
Therefore the thing done by the rider to
the amy bill is not to change the law as
TO the use of the army but to forbid the
civil officers of the United States from
keeping The peace at congressional cleo
tons. Two articles Of the constitution
authorize legislation by congress TO regu-
late congressional elections, by one Of
which full control is given congress over
the times and manner of these elections.
Laws have been passed in pursuance of
this authority conferred by the constitution,
giving civil officers of the government in
substance power 10 protect citizens in the
right of voting, to keep peace at the polls
and 10 secure an honest count of votes.
These laws though not repealed by the
army bill are rendered valueless and the
Unitel States is by it denied the necessary
civil authority to protect the national cleo
tions These are laws that members of all
parties have heretofore invoked for their
protection and their repeal is not germane
10 the army bill.
The president shows that the practice OF
attaching to appropriation bills measures
not pertinent, though practiced by all
parties of late years, was not begun till
forty years after the government was
founded and is mischievous. lie urges
that it be abandoned taking ground in
that matter substantially like that of Mr..
Tilden in his letter of acceptance of the
democratic presidential nomination in
1876.
The president combats the argument
that the House of Representatives should
have the same power us the English House
of Commons of wholly controlling appro-
priations because it originates appropria-
ton bills and is the direct representative
of the ax-paying people. In doing this
he calls TO mind that the duties of eacl
branch of our government are fixed by 4
written constitution. The change pro
posed woul be radical one and won i
enable bare majority in either branch O.
single department of the constitutions
government, the legislative. to stop th,
wheels of government. This would null
lily the power of the other legislative
branch and destroy the constitutional
power of the president.
The argument that thing because :
grievance may be removed by way o
rider to II bill for needed appropriation i
dangerous because any law may be deem
ed grievance and so the whole body o
law be subject to control of one of the leg
islative branches. The president consider
the bill violation of the spirit and mean
ing of the constitution and urges returl
to the early and wholesome practice G
excluding from appropriation bills al
irrelevant legislation.