American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-07

6cers and as to the choice of electors of the
President and Vice President OF the Oniteo
States They attracted the attention OF the
whole country. 1t was plain that If they could
be continued and repeated with fmpunity'
tineuished senator, in opposing the passage
of the election laws, declared he had for
meSt was comparatively orderly and honest.
Even the opponents OF THESE laws nave
borne testimony to their
VALUE AND EFFICIENCY,
and to the necee.tty for their enactment.
committees of the 9Th Congress, composed OF
members a majority of whom were opposed
to these c aTs on OF rs sad The COMMITTEES
would commend to other portions OF the
country and to other cities this remarkaple
system developed through the agency OF both
local and Federal authorities, acting IN mar
monv tor an honest purpose. In no portion
Of the world and and in mo no era of ., time.
sion of the popular viii through the
plete and thorough illustration of republican
institutions? Whatever may have been the
previous habit or conduct OF elections In
those cities, or howsOever they may conduct
themselves In future, this election of 1876 will
stand as q monument of what good faith,
thority may do for the protection of the cleo
tOral franchise. This bill recognizes the au-
point supervisors to guard and scrutinize
Congressional elections, but it
DENIES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES
The great body of the people of all parties
want free and fair elections. They do not
think that free election means freedom
from wholesome restraint of law or that the
place of an election should be the sanctuary
for lawlessness and crime. On the day of an
election peace and good order are more nee
essary than on any other day OF the year. On
that day the humblest and feeblest citizens:
the aged and infirm. should be and should
have reason to feel that they are safe in the
exercise of their most responsible duty and
MOST SACRED RIGHT
as members of the society, their duty and
right to vote. The constitutional authority
belongs to the Government of the United
States, and which it is necessary to exert to
secure the right to vote to every citizen pos
sessing the requisite qualifications. ought to
be enforced by appropriate legislation: So
country favoring any relaxation of the
thOrity of the Government IN the protectlon
The trainers of these laws have not been
disappointed In their results. In large cities,
under their PToH,s nase sne eiee'iohS nave
1 believe it demands greater vigor Doth IN
the enactment and exaction OF laws framed
for that purpose. Any opposition, any partl
san partially which experience may have
shown in the working of the existing laws
CONGRESS- and the Executive, in their respect
i've spheres of duty, for the
CORRECTION OF THESE MIsCHIEFs,
as no Congressional! elections occur until M
ter the regular session of Congress VIII have
been held. There seems to be~no pubic ext
,,ency that would preclude a SeaSonaDie con
sideration Mt that session of any administra-
ton details that might improve the present
methods designed for the protection OF al
citizens in the complete ana equaI exercise
of the right and power of suffrage at such
elections but with my views both OF the con-
stitutionality and of the value OF tine e1isting
laws
ICAN NOT APPROVE
any measure for this repeal except IN CON
nection with the enactment OF other leR1sia-
lion which may reasonably be expected to
afford wiser and more efficient safeguards for
free and honest Congressional elections
rSionedl RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Execntiya Mansion, May %, 1873.