Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-06-05
TIE FgAMERs OF THESE LAWS

have not been disappointed in their results. III
arge cities under their provisions the elections
honest. Even the opponents of these laws have
eorne testimony to their value and efficiency and
the necessity for their enactment. The COM
nittee OF the 44th congress COMPOSED of men,
Ders, majority OF whom were opposed TO these
laws, in their report on the New fork election of
1876 said: 1.-The committee would commend 10 other
portions or the country and 10 other cities the re-
system developed through The agency
OF both lJcal and federal authorities acting in bar
mony for an honest purpose. In 10 portion OF
the world and IN no era of time where there has
been an expression OF the popular will through
the forms OF law. has there been more complete
aud thorough illustration Of republican lnsiltu-
lions. Whatever may have been the previous
aaoIt or conduct OF elections in those cities, or
however they may conduct themselves IN the
'uture. the elections OF 1876 will stand as monu-
ment OF what good faith. honest means on legal
forms and just authority may do for the protection
OF the electoral franchise
THIS BILL RECOGNIZES
the authority and duty OF the United States to ap-
point supervisors to guard and scrutiBizs congress
.onal elections, but it denies to the government Of
The United States all power TO make its supervision
efectual. The great body of all parties want free
and fair elections, They do not think a free
election means freedom from wholesome restraints
of law or that the place of election should be the
sanctuary Cor iawlessness and crime. On the day OF
e ctiou, peace and good order more necessary
than any other day of the year. On that day the
humblest and feeblest citizens. aged and iahrm,
safe in the exercise of their most responsible
duty and their most sacred right members of So
ciety-their duty and their right to vote. The con-
stutiona authority to regulate congressional cleo
tons which belongs to the government of the United
states and which it is necessary to exert to secure
the right TO vote to every citizen possessing the
requisite qualifications ought to be enforced by APP
prOpria. legislation. So far from public opinion
IN any part OF the country favorng any relaxation
of the authority of the government In the protection
Of elections from violence and corruption, believe
it
DEMANDS GREATER vIGoR.
both in the enactment and in the execution of law
framed for that purpose. Any oppression. any par
tisan partiality which experience may have shown
in the working of existing laws, may we'll engage
the careful attention both of congress and of the
corrections of these mischiefs. As no
congressional elections until after the regular
session Of congress will have been held, there
seems to be no party exgency, that would preclude
reasonable consideration at that session of any adj
minstration details that might improve present
methods designed for the protection OF all citizens in
the complete and equal exercise of the right and
power of suffrage at such elections. But with my
views, both of the consttutionalty and of The value
of existing laws,
I CANNOT APPROVE
any for their repeal, except in connection
with the enactment of other legislation which may
reasonably be expected to afford wiser and more et
Gent safeguards for free and honest congressional
elections.
(Signed) RUTHERFORD 3. HAYES,
Executive Mansion, May 20, 1879.