The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-12
HAYES VETOES
THE MILITARY INTERFERENCE
BILL.
Troops Necessary to Elect a Eepubil-
can President in 1890.
THE MESSAGE,

THE MESSAGE. ~a~
WASHINGTON, May l2.-The following
IS the message of the President OF the
United States, returning to the House of
Representatives the bill entItled An act
to prohibit military interference at cleo
tions:
To the House Of Representatives. After
careful consideration of the bill entitled;
: An act to prohibit military interference at
elections" | return it TO the house of rep-
reseutatiyes in which it originated with
the following objections to lis approval
In the communication sent to the bouse of
representatives the 10Th, of last month.
returning to the house without my an.
proval the bill entitled: IAN act making
appropriations for the support of the armv
for the fiscal year ending June Both, 1880,
and for other purposes" | endeavored to
to show by quotations from the statutes of
the United States, now in force and by
brief statement in regard to the recent
elections in several states. that no ad
ditional legislation was necessary to pre-
vent interference with elections, by the
military or naval forces of the United
States. The fact was presented in
that communication that at the time of
the passage of the act of June 18th, 1878,
in relation to the employment of the army
| as posse c0nlitGtuS or otherwise, and it
was maintained by its friends that it would
establish the vital aud fundamental princi.
pie, which would secure to the people pro-
| lection against a standing army. The fact
was also referred to that since the passage
of this act, congressional, state aud muni-
| cipal elections, had been held throughout
the Union, and that in no instance has
complaint been made of the presence Of
the United States soldiers at the polls.
Holding as lido the opinion that any army
military interference whatever at the polls
is contrary 10 the spirit of our institutions
and would tend to destroy the freedom Of
elections and sincerely desiring to concur
with congress in all of its measures, it is
with very great regret that I am forced to
the conclusion that the bill before me is
not only unnecessary to prevent such in
reference, but is a dangerous departure
from the long settled and important con-
stitutioual principles. The true rule as
to the employment of military force at
elections is not doubtful. No intimidation
or coercion should be allowed
to control or influence citizens
!
er it appears in the shape of combinations
OF evil disposed persons or of armed bodies
OF militia of state or of military force Of
the United States. Elections should be
free from all forcblo Interference and as
far as practicable from all apprehension of
such interference. No soldier either Of
the Union or Of the state militia, should be
present at the polls to take place or to per-
form the duties of the ordinary civil police
force. There has been and will be no
violence of this rule, under order from
me during this administration, but there
should be no denial of the right of the
national government to employ its mill
ltary force on any day and at auy place IN
case such employment is necessary to en-
force constitution and laws of the United
States The bill before me is as follows:
| WhereaS the presence of troops at
the polls is contrary to the spirit OF cur
institutions a1d tie traditions Of our pee
pie, and tends to destroy the freedom q
elections, therefore be it enacted. &c.,
that it shall not be lawful to bring to ol
, employ at any place where q general cl
, special election is being held in State
q ! any part of the army or navy ct the UDlteC
. States, unless, such force be necessary Il
repel the armed enemies of the United
States or to enforce section 4, article 4, 0
, tho constitution of the United States, an(
o the laws made IN pursuance thereof, OF
n application OF the Legislature or the Exc
: cutive Of the State where such force is L
be used; aud so much Of I'LL lays IS is in
consistent herewith is hereby repealed.
1t will be observed that the bill exempt
from general prohibition against the en-
8 pIoyment of military force at the polls. Il
e two specified cases these exceptions recog
8 nize and concede the soundness OF tn
:. principles that military force may be pyop
u erly and constitptional,y used at place
, of elections, when such use is necessary +
4 enforce the constitution and laws, but tn
g excepted cases leave the prohibition SO ez
q tensive and far reaching that its ad0ptlo
Is will seriously impair the efficiency OF tn
J executive department: Of the goverDmen
The first act expressly authorizing tn
use Of military power to execute the law:
al was passed almost as early as toe organi
u zation OF the government under the const
E. tuition and was approved by 1resider
}; Washington Nay End 1892. 1t is as 10
Is lows.
Y Section 2:-And be it further enacted that wher
ever the laws of the United States shall be oppose
or the execution thereof obstructed III any state
combinations too powerful to be suppressed by u
J. ordinary course Of judicial proceedings or by Il
se powers vested in marshas by this act, the san
~ being ratified to the president of the United state
by associate justice or district Judge, It snail
le lawful for the president OF the United states
call for the militia of said state to suppress sue
combinations and to cause the laws to be duly e.
'e ecuted and if the militia of state where SUI
al combinations may happen shall refuse or De !
q sufficient to suppress the same, it shall be le T
y for the president, II the legielaure OF the Unit
L States he not in session, to call forth and emp
,h such members OF militia Of any other state or stat
most convenient thereto as may be necessary, al
the Use of the militia so to be called forth may
u continued If necessary until the expiration Oh thlr
40 days after the commencement OF the ensuing se
=. sion.
~ In 1877 this provision was substantial
ao re-enacted in law which repealed the q
II. Of 1892.
A In 1906 the following act became Il
~ law by tue approval of President Jef@
al SON
II 'That in all cases OF insprEectioA or obstructi
to laws either of the United states, or o. any It
president of the United States to call iorth min
ior the purpose of the suppressing OF such inst
recon or of causing the laws TO ne guy eAecu, aa
he it shall be lawful for him TO employ for the sal
purposes guch part of the land or naval force OF
ne tinted States as shall be judged necessary, Ia
en- ing first observed all the prerequisites o. the law
be that respect
he Ey this act it will be seen that the SEQ
tie Iof the law of l795, was extended SO as
in authorize the national government to u
1t. not only the militia but the army and ma
he of the United States in causing the laws
nd be duly executed. The important pr
lIv vision of the acts of 1892, 1875 and l8e
Ie- modified in its terms, from time to time
to adapt it to existing emergencies remain