The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1879-05-14

against u on us maj passage, ana Dy ma
jority Of more than two-thirds II was con-
CURED in by the House Of Representatives
The purpose ofthe section quoted was stated
in the Senate by one Of It's supporters as
follows
Therefore l hope without getting into
any controversy about the past, but acting
wisely for the future, that we shall take
away the idea that the army can be used by
a general or special deputy marshal merely
for election purposes, or posse ordering
them about the polls, or ordering them any
where else where there Ia no election going
on, TO prevent disorders or suppress dis.
turbances Those should be suppressed by
the peace officers of the State, or, if they
must bring others to their ai2, they should
summon unorganized citizens, and not the
officers and men Of the army, as posse
cont!tdtus TO quell disorders, and thus
get up feeling which will be disastrous to
the peace among the people Of the country"
The object Of the act of 1878 was stated
by the gentleman who had it in charge in
the House of Representatives in similar
terms He said
"But these are all minor points and in.
significant points compared with the great
principle which was incorporated by the
House In the hill in reference to the use OF
armed men in peace. The Senate had al
ready included what they called, and what
we might except as principle, but they had
stricken out the penalty, and had stricken
out the word 'expressly," so that the army
might be used in all cases where implied
authority might be interfered with.
"Tbe House committee planted them
selves firmly on the doctrine that, rather
than yield this Fundamental principle, for
which for three years this House has strug-
gled they would allow the bill to fail, not
withstanding the reforms we have secured I;
regarding these reforms of but little conse-
quence alongside Of the great principle
that the army Of the United States, in time
Of peace, should be under the control Of
Congress and obedient to its laws. After a
long and protracted negotiation the Senate
committee have conceded that principle In
all its length and breadth, including the
penalty which the Senate had stricken out.
We bring you back, therefore, a report
with the alteration Of a single word, which
lawyers assure me Is proper to be made,
restoring to this bill the principle for which
|
vital 10 secure the rights and liberties Of
the people. Thus have we, this day, SCI
cured to the people Of this country the
.ame great protection against the standing
army which cost struggle of two hundred
years for the Commons Of England TO go.
cure for the British people"
From this brief review Of the subject II
sufficiently appears to me that under ex-
isting laws there can be no military inter-
ferences with elections; no case Of such in
reference has in fact occurred since the
passage Of the act last referred 10 no Of
Hcer Of the United States has appeared
under orders at any place OF election In any
State; no complaint even Of the presence
Of United States troops has been made in
any quarter.
1t may therefore be confidently stated
there is no necessity for the enactment OF
section 6 Of the bill before me to prevent
military interference at elections. The laws
already in force are all that is required for
that end.
But that part Of section Of this bill
which Is significant and vitality important
is the clause which, If adopted, will deprive
the civil authorities of the United States o.
all power to keep the peace at Congress.
ional elections.
Congressional elections In every district
in very important sense, are justly matter
Of political interest and concern through
out the whole country. In each Stat'
every political party ia entitled to share
of the power which Is conferred by legal
and constitutional suffrage. 1t is the right
Of every citizen, possessing the qualifca
tions prescribed by law, to cast one unin.
undated ballot, and TO have his ballot
honestly counted. SO long as the exercise
of this power and enjoyment of this right
are common and equal, practically as well
formally, submission to suffrage will be ao.
corded Loyalty and cheerfully, and the de-
partments Of the government will feel the
true vigor of the popular will thus ex-
pressed. Two provisions of the consttu-
ton authorize legislation by Congress for
the regulation of Congressional elections.
Section A Of article of the Constitution
docl.,es. .Tba tim.s nlaces and msnner Of
holding elections for senators and repre.
sentativos shall be prescribed In each, State
no Tho Ieoislsturs tbareof hut Congress
y ''1
may NJ any 'ime oy Ia" make OF ater suen
regulations, except as 10 the places Of choos-
ing senators" ...
Tho aooor,h onordron, ., tho oon0,;-
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