The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-06-13

principle that the Congressional alccti ms ARE
not state elections but national elections. II
leaves In full force
THE ExIsriS0 STATUTE
under which supervisors are stili 20 be an.
pointed by national authority 70 "ob-erve
ana witness" Congressional elections when
ever due application Is made by citizens who
scrutinized." II The power 70 Supervise. "A
any respect whatever. the Conere s.ionnI
elections exist under section 4. Article 1, oi
the Constitution. IL Is power which ike ev-
cry other power belonging % the
GOVERNMENT or THE UNITED STATES
Is paramount and supreme. and includes tho
right 20 employ the necessary means 10 carry
II Into effect.
The statutes of the United states which
regulate the election Of members OF the
House OF Representatives, an Essential part
OF which II Il proposed 20 repeal by this biIl,
have been In force about eight years Four
Congressional elections have been held I'M
der them, two Of which were ut the Presiden-
tial elections OF 1874 and 1916.
NUMEROUS PROSECUTIONS.
trials and convictions have been held I'm
courts OF the United states in all parts Of the
Union for violations OF these laws. In no re !
ported case has their constitutionality been
called e. , n question by any Judge q the courts
laws Is sustained by a uniform course Of ju-
dicinl action and opinion. ~ IL Is urged that
the Uhited states election laws are not neces-
MS
tory OF their origin and OF their results. They
were especially prompted by the invesfiQn-
tion and exposure OF trends committed In the
city and state Of New York nc the elections
OF ISIS.
Committees representing both of the lead
Ing political parties of the country have SUBJ
mitted reports 70 the House Of Represent
afives on the
EXTENT or THOSE FRAUDS.
committee of the 10th Congress after full
investigation reaches the conclusion that the
number Of fraudulent votes cast IN the city OF
New York alone in y was not less than 2'..-
90. A committee OF the 4tth Congress in
their report submitted in ~ adopted the
opinion that for every one hundred actual
voters Of the city Of New York in 1868 one
fact, the number OF lawful votes cast could
not have exceeded eighty eight per cent. OF
the actual votes Of the city.
ly this statement the number Of fraudulent
votes az that election in the city Of New York
alone was between thirty and forty thousand.
These frauds completely
REVERSED THE RESULT
OF the election In the State OF New York both
as TO the choice of Governor and State of
fcers and as 70 the choice of electors Of the
President and Vice President of the United
states. They attracted the attention OF the
whole country. II was plain that II they could
be continued and repeated with impunity,
free government was impossible. dis
tingui~hed senator. In opposing the passage
Of the election laws, declared ne had for
ment was comparatively orderly and honest.
Even the opponents of these laws have
borne testimony 70 their
VALUE AND EFFICIENCY.
and to the neccs.ty for their enactment.
OF the tith Congress, composed OF
majority Of whom were opposed
"a these laws. In their report on the New
York election Of -, said The committee
would commend 20 other portions Of the
country and tn other cities this remarkable
l.f Ersfh
local and Federal authorities. acting I'm har-
rnonv Tor an honest purpose. In no portion
Of the world and In no era Of time,
where there has been express
sion of the popular win through the
forms Of law. Has there been q more CON-
plete and thorough illustration OF republican
Whatever may have been the
those cities. or howsoever they may conduct
In future. this election Of 1876 will
stand rs monument Of what good faith,
thority may do for the protection Of the cleo
1oral franchise. This bin recognizes the au-
'hority and duty Of the United States to ap-
point supervisors 20 guard and scratinize
elections. but IL
DENIES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES
Nj power to make its supervision efectnal.
The great body Of the people OF all parties
want free and fair elections. They do not
hink that free election means freedom
rom wholesome restraint of law or that the
place of an election should be the sanctuary
or iawicssness and crime. On the day of an
election, peace and good order are more ncc-
.ssary than on any other day OF the year on
hat dav the humblcst and fecblest citizens.
he aged and infirm, should be and should
rave reason 70 feel that they are safe In the
MOST SACRED RIGHT
= members Of the society. their duty and
light 20 vote. The constitutional authority
.I..I.
Belongs to the Government of the United
tates, and which IL il necessary 20 exert 10
ecure the right 70 vote 70 every citizen pos
essing the requisite qualifications, ought 20
% enforced by appropriate legislation So
ar from public opinion I'm any part OF the
ountry favoring any relaxation OF the au-
hority Of the Government in the protection
4 elections from violence ana corruption.
The trainers OF these laws have not been
in their results. In large cities.
Inder their provisions. the elections have
zen comparatively peaceful.
l believe IL demands greater vigor both In
he enactment and exaction Of laws framed
Or that purpose. Any opposition. any parti
an partially which experience may have
hown in the working OF the existing laws
nay well engage the careful attention both Of
Congress and the Executive, in their respect
70 spheres of duty, for the
CORRECTION or THESE NIscHrEFs.
: no Congressional elections occur until At
nr the regular session OF Congress will have
cen held. There seems to be no public ext
ency that would preclude seasonabie con-
Iteration nc that session OF any ndministra-
ION details that might improve the present
lethods designed for the protection OF AL
itizens in the complete and equal exercise
the right and power Of suffrage nj such
lections, but with my views both Of the con-
and Of the value OF the existing
Tvs
rcAx nor APPROVE
nv measure for this repeal except in con.
ectlon with the enactment Of other legtsla-
on. which may reasonably be expected 20 \
ford wiser and more efficient safeguards Tor
rec and honest Congressional elections.
lsignedl RUTHERFORD u. HAYES.
Executive Mansion. May 70, ls7s.
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CLEAN smokv marble nv brushing n X