The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-06-05

ground that the election of members of
Congress is u matter which concerns
the State alone; that these elections
should be controlled exclusively by
the States; that there caR be no such
elections as national elections, and that
tue existing law Of the United States,
regarding Congressional elections, IS
without warrant in the Constitution.
lie then quoted TIE Constitution to
show hat The trainers VI that docu-
ment regarded the election Of members
OF Congress in every State as justly a
matter of political Interest and concern
to the whole country, and refers to the
law passed IN 1885, which prescribed
full and detailed regulations for the
election of Senators by The Lesi.llturc'
Of the several States, and says this law
has been in fOrce almost thirteen years.
Ii pursuance to it all Of the members OF
the present Senate OF the United States
hold their seats. lie constitutiOnality
was not called into question. 1t is con-
tdentially believe that no sound argu-
ment can be made in support OF the
cOnstitntionality of the National regu-
lttion of Senatorial elections, which
will not show that the election OF mem
bers of the House of Representatives may
also be constitutionally regulated by
National authority.
The bill before me itself recognizes
the principal that Congressional elec-
tions arc not State elections, but Ma
tional elections. Ii leaves in full force
the existing statute under which SUI
peryisors are still TO be appointed by
National authority, to "obscrye and
witness Congressional elections when
ever due application is made By citizens
who desired said elections to be ''guar-
Ged and scrutinized," Ii the power t.
supervise, in any respect whatever
Congressional elections exists, under
Section 1, article !, of the Constitution
it is the power which, like every other
power belonging 10 the Government OF
the United States, Is paramount and
supreme, and includes the right to en-
ploy the necessary means to carry ii
into effect.
He concludes: "This bill recognizes
the authority and duty Of the United
States TO appoint Supervisors to guard
and scrutinize Congressional elections
but denies the GoyLrnment Of the Uni
ted States all power to make its super
vision etfectual. The great body OF
people OF all parties want free and fair
elections. They DO not think that free
elections means freedom from the
wholesome restraints Of law, or thai
the place of election should be Il sane
tuary for lawlessness and crime. On
the day of election peace and good or
der is more necessary than any other
day of the year. On that day the hum
blest and feeblest citizens, aged and i'll
firm, should be, and should have rea'
son TO feel, that they are safe in the eX-
crciSe Of their most responsible duty
and their most sacred right Ia members
of society, their duty is their right &c
vote. The Constitutional authority &c
regulate Congressional elections which
belongs to the Government Of the Uni.
TED States, and which necessary exert
to secure the right to vote to every citi.
zen possessing requisite qualifications
ought TO be enforced by appropriate
legislation. SO far from public opinion
in any part of the country favoring any
relaxation Of the authority of the Gov.
crnmont in the protection Of the law!
from violence and corruption, ! believe
it demands greater yigor, both in thu
enactment and in the execution Of the
laws framed for thar purpose. Any
oppression, any partisan partially
which experience may have shown il
working the existing laws may vel
engage the careful attention Of both
Congress and of the Executive in theiI
respective spheres of duty for the cor
rGction Of these mischiCfs. As no Con.
gressional elections occurs until after
the regular session of Congress vii
have been held, Snefe seems to be NJ
public eNigcncy that would preclude
the reasonable consideration atthat SEES
sion of any administrative details tina
might improve the methods designed
for the protection Of all citizens in TIKI
complete and equal exercise of thciI
right and power Of suffrage at sucl
elections. But with my views, both o
| tie consiitutionality and OF the valu'
OF the existing laws, | can not approve
| of any measure for their repeal cXcep
in connection with enactment, othe,
legislation which may reasonably b.
expected to afford wiser and more eff!
cient safeguards for free and homes
Congressional elections"
Matters in James County.
Oote wah Tenn, June l, 1879
EDITOR HERALD: As | have not haC
the pleasure of reading anything il
your valuable paper an d which Away.