Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-08
YOcum vs.. YOcum.

weeks of its merits, motion was made
by Republicans to strike out the sixth
section, being the one involving the
political features of the bill. This
motion was supported by the entire
Republican party in the House upon
the ground that the provisions them.
selves were wrong, and even if right,
it was wrong to attach them to an ap.
preparation bill. On the other hand,
the Democrats contcndcd that the
provisions Of this section were right
in themselves, and that it was in ac-
cordance with Republican precedents
to incorporate them in an appropria-
ton bill. Here were two plain and
simple issues, which, after full discus
sion and time for reflection, any man
of good common sense ought TO under
stand, or at least be able to make up
his mind which side he would take
Hon. ). III. Gocum, who now occu-
pies the seat As the Representative
from this district, voted with the
Democrats against striking out the
provisions of the sixth section Of the
bill. The section was not struck out
Upon the final passage of the bill
through the House, Mr.. Yocum again
voted with the Democrats. By these
two votes he showed his approval Of
the bill both rs a whole and in detail.
These votes surprised many persons, as
it was generally understood that du-
ring the campaign, Mr.. Yocum had
given pledges that he would, if elect
ed, act with the Republicans in Con-
gress upon all measures, save only
those pertaining to banking and cur
rency. Still no one could properly
find fault with him for giving these
two votes with the Democrats, if he
conscieniiously believed they were
right. Democrats believing that mill
tary interference with elections under
the pretense Of preserving the peace
at the polls, was dangerous to the
liberties of the people, would natur-
ally be glad to have Mr.. Iocum agree
with them and vote accordingly. But
if he voted that way. not because he
believed it was right, but in order to
propiiiate the Democrats in Congress,
hoping thereby to retain his seat, he
was not only false to the pledges he
had given, but recreant to the princi.
pie in which he believed.
The army appropriation bill which
thus passed the House with Mr. Yo.
Gums vote, went to the Senate, where,
after prolonged discussion, which
however evolved nothing new, passed
that body without even so much as n
verbal change. 1t was thus sent to
Mr.. Hayes for his approval. He re-
turned it to the House with n veto.
His veto message contains not one
single new objection. He uses the
same arguments against it as were used
by Garfield, Fry, and other Republi-
cans in the House before Mr.. Yocum
voted for it. When the vote came TO
be taken upon the question, shall the
bill become law notwithstanding the
Presidents objections, Mr.. Yocum
changed front and voted no with the
Republicans Why the changer
Why this early disqualification ?
Had the bill been introduced into the
House and passed without discussion
and without time for reflection, il
could have been urged with some
plausibility, that Mr.. Yocum had been
convinced by the reasoning of the veto
message that his first impressions IA
vorable to the bill were erroneous.
But to say, after listening TO all the
able and ingenious speeches made in
the House for and against the bill,
that he did not comprehend the
principles and policy of It, and con-
sequently he voted twice under mis-.
apprehension, is TO impeach his own
understanding and good common
sense, and TO demonstrate his total un-
fitness to represent any constituency in
Al Il