The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-01
The Bnyonet at the Polls.

The Bayonet at the Polls.
DE GoLYER GARFIELD SAYS his party is
ready to go before the people for judgment
on its opposition TO the sixth section Of the
new Army Appropriation bill.
What is the sixth section OF that bill
This is its language:
Thatecon 2oO2 OF the Revised statutes he amended 50
o read as follows Nomiiary or naval officer or other
person engaged IN the civil military OF naval service Of
the United States shall order bring Keep or have under
his authority any troop, or armed me at the
place where any general special election held In any
state unless be necessary to rcpel the armed
Of the United states
"And that section 552s OF the Revised Statutes be
amended so ne 10 read as follows!
Every ofcer Of the army or navy or other person
In the civil. military. naval service OF the United
States who orders brings keeps or has under his AZ.
ority or control any troops ut any place
where general or special election held In any state
unless such force be necessary repc armed enemies Ut
the United states shall be fined not more than vc thou.
sand dollars ami suer impnson at hard labor not
less than three months nor more than ave years"
How do the existing statutes differ from
the proposed statutes In the sole particu-
lar that the two former now contain. after
the words to repel armed enemies OF the
United States" the additional exception,
"or TO keep the peace at the poils."
Thus the issue is clearly made up on the
question whether elections in America shall
be free. or whether they shall be ruled by
the bayonet
Does anybody doubt what the people OF
this country think of that question Why,
monarehical England jealousy guards the
ballot from any Interference OF soldiery
under any pretence. So long ago as the
reign OF GEORGE H. a statute was passed for
that purpose, which was reGnacted under
VICTORIA, and reads as follows
Sec. And l. Il mated That on every DAY appointed
for the nomination for the election taking the
poll for the election Of member members serve IN
the Commons House Of Parliament soldier within two
miles Of any city borough. town place where such
nomination or election shall be declared poll taken
shall b. allowed the barrack or quarters IN
which he is stationed unless the purpose OF mounting
or relieving guard. giving his at such election:
and that every soldier allowed anv sueh pur
pose within the limits Aforesaid shall return hts barrack
quarters with all speed as soon as his guard
shall have been relieved or vote teniered'
The third section OF the British law de-
clares that whenever such an election is APP
pointed. notice Of it shall, with all conve-
nient speed, be sent to the War Ofilcc, and
thence, in writing. I" to the general officer
commanding in each district OF Great Brit
ain, who shall thereupon give the necessary
orders for enforcing the execution OF this
Nct In all places under his command"
Thus, In an election for members Of Par
Lament, the bayonet must vanish; the
voters are TO be free from all danger OF mill
tary coercion; and il brawls arise as they
often do, at an excited election. the civil
authority alone Is to keep the peace. For
double reason should such security from
army. interference be guaranteed to the
people OF our country, since here there are,
In addition, State Governments, whose func-
ton 1t Is TO keep the peace at the polls. Yet
DE GoLYER GARFIELD demands that Amer
lea shall enjoy no such immunity for the
ballot, and that, though there be no armed
enemies OF the United States TO repel sol
diery may block the way to the polls.
With a characteristic subterfuge DE Col
YER GARFIELD does not risk his hostility to
the sixth section on its merits, but COM
plains that the section is out Of place in an
appropriation bill. The people OF the United
States will not decide the question of free
ballot on subtle distinctions of parliament
tary practice. They see a great statutory
proclamation Of popular rights struggled
against by the Republican party, and will
take no fine-spun argument. based on tech
meal rules, for excuse. The people, too are
well aware that hundreds Of laws, not deal
ing with specified sums 20 be expended,
have during past years, been enacted in APP
preparation bills TO which they we're re-
lated, and will judge accordingly tho new
born conjunction OF De- Golyer Garlleldism
over its own habitual practice hitherto. Be-
sides. the sixth section Is germane TO the
pending bill, because it treats Of an army
employment, and because It effects proba-
bic economy when it cuts off one expensive
mode Of employment.
The use OF the army at the polls is an adj
junct Of martial law, or OF Imperialism; it
does not belong to a free country. Let all
who want to smooth the way to the return
Of martial law IN our country, and to make
Imperialism possible, rally 10 keep ON the
statute book, by whatever pretence or de-
vice. the dangerous words which the sixth
section Of the Army bill seeks to exDunUe