The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-30


away
THE IDEA THAT THE ARMY CAN DE USED BY A
GENERAL OR SPECIAL DEPUTY MARSHAL,
or any marshal, merely for election purposes
as posse, ordering them about the polls
or ordering them anywhere else, when there
| Is no election going on, to prevent disorders
or to suppress disturbances that should be
suppressed by the peace officers of the
state; or, II they must bring others to their
aid, they should summon the unorganized
citizens, and not summon the officers and
men OF the army as posse comitdtuS to
Quell disorders, and thus get up a feeling
which will be disastrous to peace among
the people OF the country"
In the House OF Representatives the OBJ
iect Of the act Of 1878 was stated by the gen
tleman who bad 1t in charge in similar terms.
| He said:
but these are all minor points and in
significant questions compared with the
great principle which was incorporated by
the House in the bill in reference 10 the use
OF the army in time of peace. The Sepate
had already conceded what they called and
what we might accept as the principle, but
they had stricken out the penalty, and had
stricken out the word serpressiv,' so that
| the army might be used In all cases where
implied authority might be inferred.
| me House committee planted them
selves firmly upon the doctrine that
rather than yield this fundamental prn-
cip'c, for which for three years this
House had struggled, they would allow the
bill to fail, Notwithstanding the reforms
which We bad secured, regarding these re-
forms IS OF but little consequence alongside
the great principle that the army OF the
| United States i'll time Of peace should he
under the control OF Congress and obedicnt
to its laws. After long and protracted
negotiation the Senate committee have con-
ceGcd that principle in all its length and
breadth, including the penalty, which the
Senate had stricken out. We bring you
back, therefore, report, with the alteration
OF Il single word which the lawyers assure
me is proper to be made, restoring TO this
bill the principle for which we have con-
tended so long, and which is so vital 10 Sc
| cure
TIE RIGHTS AND LIBEETlES OF THE PEOPLE.
4. =
"ThuS have we this day secured to the
people OF this country the same great pro-
! tcc!ion against Il standing army which cost
n struggle of two hundred years for the
Commons OF England to secure for the
| British people"
| From this brief review OF the subject it
sufficiently appears that under existing
| laws there can be no military interference
with The elections. No case of such inter-
! ference has, in fact, occurred since the pas
sage Of the act last referred to. No soldier
OF the United States has appeared under
orders at any place OF election in any State.
No complaint even OF the presence OF United
| states troops has been made in any quarter.
Ii may. therefore, be confidently stated that
| there is no necessity for the enactment OF
| section OF the bill before me to prevent
military interference with the elections.
! The laws already in force are all that is re-
QIired for that end.
| But that part of section of this bill which
! is significant and yitaiiv important is the
clause which, il adopted, Will deprive the
civil authorities OF the United States Of all
POWER TO KEEP TIE PEACE At THE CONGRESS
SIGNAL ELECTIONS.
| The congressional elections in every dis
| trict. in very important sense, arc Justly 4
matter of political interest and concern
| throughout the whole country. Each State,
every political party, is entitled 10 the share
! OF power which is conferred by the legal
and constitutional suffrage. 1t is TIE right
CT every citizen, possessing the qualitica-
tons prescribed by law, 10 cast enc unin-
| Inundated ballot, and to have his ballot hon
eStly counted. So long as the exercise OF
this power and the enjoyment Of this right
are common and equal, practically is well rs
formally, Submission to the results OF the
suffrage will be accorded Loyalty and cheer
fully, and all the departments OF Govern
ment will feel the true visor OF the popular
will thus expressed.
Two provisions OF the Constitution au-
thorize legislation by Congress for the reg
ulation OF the congressional elections.
Section OF article OF the Constitution
declares:
THE times, places, and manner of hold
ing elections for senators and representa-
tiyes shall be prescribed in each State by
the Legislature thereof; but the Congress
NAV at any time, by law, make or alter such
regulations except rs to the places Of choos'
ing senator's"
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT OF TIE CONSTR
is as follows:
"Scction |. The right OF citizens OF the
United States to vote shall not be denied Oh
abridged by the United States, or by any
State, on account OF race, color, or pre-
yio,ls condition OF servitudc.
"Scction .. The Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation"
The Supreme Court has held that this
amendment invests the citizens OF the
United States with new constitutional
right which is within the protecting power
OF Congress. That right the Court declares
to be exemption from discrimination in the
exercise OF The elective franchise on account
OF race, color, or previous condition or SER
yitude. The power Of Congress to protect
this right by appropriate legislation IS eX'
pressly affirmed by the Court.
National legislation TO provide safeguards
for free and honest elections is necessary,
as experience has shown, not only to Sc
cure the right to vote to the enfranchised
race at the South, but also to prevent fraud
ulcnt voting in the large cities OF the North
Congress has therefore exercised the power
conferred by the Constitution, and has en-.
acted certain laws to prevent diScrlmlna.
tons on account Of race, color. or previous
condition OF seryitude, and to punish fraud,
violence. and intimidation mt Federal cleo
tons. Attention is called to the following
sections OF the Revised Statutes OF the
| United StateS-YiZ.:
Section 2O04, which guarantees to all c!tl-
ZenS
| THE RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT DISTINCTION on
| ACCOUNT OF RACE, COLOR, OR PREVIOUS
| CONDITION
OF servitude.
! Sections zoos and 200G, which guarantee
| 10 all citizens equal opportunity, without
discrimination, to perform all the acls re-
quired by law us prerequisite or quailnca-
ton for voting.
Section 2O22. which authorizes the United