New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-30
A RINGING VETO.
Contiuued from First Page.

the choice OF Governor and State officers and to
the choice of electors OF President ana fcetre as
dent of the United States. They attracted the
attention OF the whole country. lt was PLAIN that
If they could be continued and repeated win I'M
punity free government was impossible. dist ~
guishcd Senator, in opposing the passage OF me
election laws declared that he had Tor long Tune
believed that our form Of government was com
parative failure in the larger cites 10 meet tlese
evils and to prevent these crimes the United states
laws regulating Congressional elections were
enacted.
The trainers of these laws have not been dsap-
pointed in their results. In the large cties uuuer
their provisions The elections have been compare
lively peaceable. orderly aud honest. Even The OPP
ponents of these laws have borne testimony 10 .ner
value and efficiency and to the necessity for Their
enactment. The Committee of the ALlYth Con-
gress. composed of members majority OF wh ,hn
were opposed to these laws, their report Oh the
New-YOrk election of 1876 SAID
The com.nlttec would commend 90 other portions OF
the country to other cities this rcmarkahie system
developed through the agency OF DO'n l0cA hnu
authorities, acting in harmony Tor an uOnest purpose
m tine R %SeTe there hS, been an expression Of
the popular will through the forms OF Jaw
has there been complete and thorough hiusra-
ton of repaid can institutions. Whatever may nave
been the previous nabt or conduct OF elections III those
future this election Of 1876 will stand as mon nen,
OF what good fIih, honest endeayor. legal forms and
just authority do Tor the protection OF the electoral
WHAT PUBLIC OPINION DEMANDS.
This bill recognizes the authority and duty of the
United States 20 appoint supervisors to guard and
scrunnze the Congressional elections, but 10 denies
to the Government of the United States all power
TO make It's supervision efectual. The great body
of the people of all parties want free and fair cleo
tons. They do not think that a free election
means freedom from the wholesome restraints
of law, or that the place of an election
should be a sanctuary for lawlessness and crime.
On the day of an election peace and good order are
moro necessary than on any other day OF the year
On that day the humblest ana feeblest citizens the
aged and the intrm, should be and should nave
feel that they are sale IN the exercise OF
their most responsible duty and their most sacred
right members OF soccty-thelr DUTY ana thelr
right to vote
The Constitutional authority to regulate the Con-
gTessIOnal elections which belongs to the Govern
ment OF the United States. and which 10 Is neCeS-
saTy TO exert to secure the night 10 vote 70 every
citizen possessing the requisite qualifications, ought
to be enforced by appropriate legislation. so far
from public opinion IN any part OF the country Ia
voring any relaxation of the authority or the GoV-
eTnment In the protection OF elections from violence
and corruption, believe 1t demands greater vi2cr'
both in the Imeut and IN the execution OF laws
framed for thar purpose. 49,
Any oppression. auy partisan Partially which
experience NAV have shown in the working OF eX-
isting laws. may well engage the careful attention
both of Congress and of the Executive m their
respective spheres of duty for the correction OF these
mIschcfs. As no Congressional elections occur
until after the regular session of Congress VIII have
been held there TO be no publc eXigehcy that
would preclude a reasonable consideration no tnat
session OF any administrative details that ihssnt IN
prove the present methods designed Tor the
protection of all citizens in the complete anu equal
exercise Of the right aud power OF the suntage az
such elec ions. But with my views, both OF tG con-
sttutOnallty and Of the value OF Jhe existing laws,
IclnnOt approve any measure forJhcr repeal except
In connection with the enactment OF other leg5la-
ton which may reasonably De expected 10 aii0i
wiser and more efficient safeguards for free and
honest Congressional elections.
'''''''' RUiHERFoRD HAYES.
EJscatire M1asi0n, May 20, 1879