South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-05-16
the Amended Army Bill.
Congress AyaGs TL,our,of-AHs,ker Fefo
ts tie President.

tNr NscetNcM-
The following is a synopsis Of the
message OF the President OF the United
States returning to the House OF Repre-
sentaiives on Monday last the bill enti-
tied IAN act 10 prohibit, military inter
ference at elect;ons:"
To the House. OF Representatives.
Alter careful examination OF the bill
entitled, An Act 10 Prohibit Military
Interference at Elections return il to
the House OF Representatives in which
1t originated. with the following objec-
tions TO its approval.
In the communication sent TO the
House OF Representatives on the 29th OF
last month. returning to the House, with
out nay approval. the bill entitled An
Act making Appropriations for The Sup
port OF the Army for the Fiscal Year
Enuing June 30ih. 1880, and for other
Purposes l endeavorei TO show by
quotations from the statutes OF the Uni
ted States now in force, and by brief
statement OF facts in regard 10 the re-
cent elections in the several States that
no additional legislation was necessary
to prevent Interference with the cleo
tons by the military or naval forces OF
the United States. Holding, as / do,
the opinion That any military interfer.
ence whatever at the polls is contrary to
the spirit OF our institutions, and would
tend to destroy the freedom, and sim
cerely desiring to concur with Congress
In all of its measures il il with very
great regret that am forced to the con-
clnsion that the bill before me is not
only necessary 10 prevent such interfer-
ence, but it is dangerous departure
from the long settled and important
constitutional principles.
The true rule as TO the employment OF
military force at the elections is not
doubtful. No intimidation or coercion
should be allowed TO control or influ-
ence citizens in tho exercise OF their
right to vote, whether it appears in the
shape of combinations of evil disposed
persons or Of armed bodies OF the mill
tary of State, of the United States
The elections should he free from all
forcible interference and las far as prac-
tlcal from all approximations Of such in
reference. No soldiers either of the
Union or of the State militia should be
present at the polls TO take the place or
to perform the duties of the ordinary
civil police force. There has ocen and
will be no violation OF this rule under
orders from mo during this administra.
tion. Bnt there .neuld &c no denial OF
the right OF the National Government to
employ its military force on any day and
at any place, in case such employment
IS necessary TO enforce the Constitution
and laws OF the u. States. IL will be
observed that the bill exempts from the
general prohibition against the employ
mcnt of military force at the polls two
specified cases. These exceptions re-
cognize and concedo tho soundness OF
the principle that military force may
properly ami constituionally be used at
the place of elections when such Is ne
cessary to enforce the Constitution and
the laws. But the excepted cases leave
the prohibition so extensive and far
reaching that its adoption will seriously
impair the efficiency of the executive
department OF the Government.
The first act expressly authorizing the
use OF military power to execute the
laws was passed almost rs early "a the
organization Of the Government under
the Constitution, and WA, approved by
President Washington May 2, 1892. -
The President quote, the net in full and
says:
In 1875 this provision WAS substan-
TALLY re-enacted in law which repeated
the act OF 1892. In 1907 similar act
became the law by the approval of Pres
ident Jefferson. BY this act the scope
OF the law Of l79j was EXTENDED so as TO
authorize the National Government 10
use not only the militia, but the AMY
AMI navy Of the United States in 'caus-
ing the laws to be duly executed The
import ant provision Of the acts Of 1892,
1875 and 1907 modified in It's terms
from time TO time to adapt il to the ex-
listing emergency remained in force I'm
I'll by an act approved by President
Lincoln July 20, 1861, it was re-enacted
substantially in the Same language in
which il is now found in the revised
statutes
Here the President quotes section
1888 Of the Revised Statutes and adds ::
This ancient and fundamental laws has
been III force from the foundation Of the
Government. 1t is now proposed to
abrogate it on certain days and at GER
tain places. In my judgment no fact
has been produced which tends TO show
that it ought 10 he repealed or suspend-
ed for q single hour at any place in any
Of the States or territories Of the Union
All the teachings OF experience in the
course or our history are in favor OF sus-
tanning its. efficiency unimpaired. On
every occasion where the supremacy OF
the Constitution has been resisted and
the porpetuity Of our institutions impe-
rilled, the principle OF this statute on
acted by the fathers has enabled the
Government Of the Union 10 maintain
It's authority and to preserve the integri.
~ Of the Nation
The President then rectes The fact
that the whisky rebellion in Pennsylva.