The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-07-16
a BArrLED ACY.

The result of the extra session @
Congress is now difnitely known
Whether the sdjournmen. CO mes sool
or late, it is settled that there IS Il
be no change in existing laws Tb,
Election laws will stand. Whs,eve
power has existed for the prevention
of fraud will still exist, and the law
will be neither repealed nor emascu
lated. The Army, also, will remain
under the control of President arm.
ed with all the constitutional powers
for the enforcement of the laws. Ev
cry power that President Hayes OF
his predecessors has had, to employ
the Army and Navy in the suppress
sion of resistance to law, aud in the
protection of civil officers in the dis.
charge Of their duties, Presiden,
Hayes will retain to the end of bis
term So much is settled The con-
spiracy of the Democrats to capture
the next election by force and fraud,
SO far as it depended upon any change
Of the laws, is beaten already
The Democrats do not yet confess
a final defeat. Their backing down
from the positions taken and the
threats uttered when the extra ses-
sion was made necessary, and again
at the opening of that session, has
indeedj been complete; no change
whatever has been or will be made
in the laws which they resolved in
caucus to wipe out. As to the pres
ent session, they confess defeat, but
they still declare that they will re-
new the contest at the beginning OF
the regular session in December.
But this they could have done with
out refusing appropriations in Feb
ruary, or making an extra session
necessary. OF what use has been
this long and costly session, the coun-
try will ask, What excuse was there
for it, if the contest could after all
have been postponed until the regular
meeting in December nex.! The
practical people of this country have
q Wholesome contempt for socsIled
statesmen who make desperate efforts
to do impossible things at unnecesss-
~ times, thus involving great
expense and long turmoil without
any practical excuse. By adjourning
the contest, as the Democrats Of the
Senate have resolved that they must,
they confess that the public contempt
has been richly deserved
But they know that a renewal OF
the struggle next Winter will not
help them. No change in the laws
is possible even then. The Presi-
dent has taught them what they
ought to have known from the out
set, that enactments cannot be defeat
ed by a mere refusal to make appro-
priaiions- He has given them notice
that he has all the power needed to
enforce TIE election laws, whether
they make appropriations as the law
requires or show themselves law
breake by refusing. No repeal Of
law can be effected without his sig
nature He has proved that be has
all the clesrless of mind and fixed
ness of purpose to prevent any evil
change OF laws. snd il has been shown
that his vetOes are death 10 the bills
az which they are aimed. Even if
it should be found possible so to frame
an appropriation bill as to prevent
the enforcement OF law, il is clear
that he will veto any such measure.
And the Democrats have given proof
that they do no, dare TO stop any
branch Of the Government on such
an issue. What they dare not do
to-day, they win not dare to do next
Winter As to the practical ends
sought by their revolutionary policy
therefore their defeat is final as well
as complete
II is certain, TOO that the contes,
will cause the disputed laws to be en-
forced more thoroughly than ever,
and the disputed powers TO be en-
ployed more efficiently. For, as the
President well observes, these enact
ments depend for their efficiency upon
voluntary acts Of the people; if citi-
zens do not apply, supervisors aud
marshals will not be appointed, and
If Federal officers have not the cour-
age to enforce laws and to demand
protection in doing so. the powers of
of the Executive cannot be used. 1t
is well known that there has been
great uncertainty among officials all
over the South, TO what extent and
under what circumstances they would
be sustained. The contest which
Democrats brought on has removed
all doubt Ample notice has been
brought to the attention OF every of
Ger of the United States that in the
full. fearless and faithful discharge
Of his duty, he viii be backed by the
with all the Army and Na-
W Of the United States The cleo
ton law, though it stood on the books.
was praetieaily.unkno TO the peo-
pie in almost all parts of the country.
Men did not realize what they could
DO under it and therefore, did moth
ing. Now the law is understood in
every county in the land Now its
arge powers for the prevention of
fraud viii be called into use, as they
never have been before. Thus it
has come 70 pass that the vain as
,aults OF Democrats upon laws which
hey were powerless to repeal, have
made those laws far more effective
han ever before for the prevention
Of fiaud aud violence
Beaten in every practical end
sought, the Democrats will presently
ind that they have also been beaten |
10 az attempt 10 dodge the financial
issues which divided them. To do
his with success, it was requisite /
that new issues should be brought
involving some tangible and /
practicable action, and offering some !