Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-29
lion Dy any Judge OF the courts of the United
SCates The validity OF these laws is sustained
oy the uniform course Of judicial action and

LION Dy any Judge OF the courts of the limited
States. The validity OF these laws is sustained
opinion. 0''0n Ano
If it is urged that the United States election
nlshed by the history OF their origin and of their
results. They were especially prompted bv the
investigation and exposure OF the frauds com
mitted In the city and state OF New York at the
elections of 1865. Committees representing both
OF the leading political parties OF the COUNT Y
nave nave submitted reports to the House of Repre-
e,alses f on TN sne extent OF those frauds.
IN eS, igat1on, reached the conclusion that the
nun per OF fraudulent votes cast In the city of
New York alone in 1853 was not less than 25 0O0
A committee Of the Foity-fourth Congress. In
tnelr report submitted in 1877, adopted the
op,nlon that for every one hundred actual
vteI vTteIs OIL OF the city OF New York in 1865, 1Os
Votes We're cast; when, In fact, the mum
Ier OF lawful votes cast could not have eX-
cet oed IS per cent of the actual voters of the
uy: n,c,, BY by ths statement the number OF fraud.
rork alone, was between thirty and forty
t1ousand. These frauds completely reversed
We VEL leiut u OF the election in the state OF New
state officers. and as to the choice Of electors
OF resident and Vice President of the United
states. They attracted the attention of the
WhOle country. 1t was plain that IL they could
be continued and repeated with impunity free
government was impossible. A distinguished
aMs ID the Of the election
belleyed that our form of government was a
comparative failure in the larger cities" To
me- meet lhese evils and to prevent these crimes
the United States laws regulating Congress
Slonal elections were enacted.
Ihe trainers Of these laws have not been dis
appointed In their results. In the large cities,
under their provisions, the elections have been
comparatively peaceable, orderly. and honest.
Even the opponents Of these laws have borne
!estmony to their value and efficiency, and to
to toe n necessity Ior their enactment The commit
leeoi the Forty fourth Congress, composed OF
members majority OF whom were opposed to
these laws, in their report on the New York
election Of 1876, said:
Portions or the country and to otner cities this
remarkable system, developed through the
agency OF both local and federal authorities
actlhg ln harmony for an honest purpose In no
portion OF the world, and in no era of time.
MDeIe tnere has been an expression of the
@ popular VIII through the forms OF law, has there
IN TepuOncan institutions. Whatever NAV have
been the previous habit or conduct of eIections
VI VI n Inose cues, or howsoever they may conduct
themselves In the future, this election of 1S76
viii stand as monument of what good faith
bonest endeavor. legal forms. and Just authority
may may 90 1or the protection Of the electoral fran
This bill recognizes the authority and duty OF
tne United States to appoint superyisOrS tn
guard ara scrutfnize the Congressional cleo
United States all power to make its SUPERVISION
efectual. The great body of the people OF ali
paIueS want Tree and fair elections They do
from the wholesome restraints of law. or that
Ine place OF an election should be a Sanctuary
IOr iaWleSSneSs and crime. On the day of an
elecuon peace and good order are more neces-
fhay than daH on on any other day Of the year on
lens, ba 81 me ns,g aged and the infirm, should
are sa1e In the exercise OF their most respon-
slDle DUTY, and their most sacred right as mem
D Dets OF S society, their duty and their right to
Vcte. Inc constitutional authority to regulate
me congressional elections which belongs to
the government OF the United States and Which
IL Is necessary to exert to secure the right to
VOle 10 every citizen possessing the requisite
gusaillicatlons, ought to be enforced by appro-
pirate legislation. SO far from public opinion In
any part OF the country favoring any relaxation
OF the authority of the government In the protec-
Ilon OF elections from violence and corruption.
Delieve 1t demands greater vIgor, both In the
enactment and In the execution Of laws framed ]
which experience may have shown
10 The working OF existing laws, may well engage
tEe careful attention both OF Congress and Of |
Ibe Executive, In their respective spheres of l
iuty ,foI the correction OF these mschiefs. AS no
cong lesslonal elections occur until after the /
regular session OF Congress will have been held.
.neIe seems to be no public exigency that would /
preclude SeaSOnable consideration at tha |
.essloh OF any administrative details that Nigh
improve tne present methods designed for Jh
,q1al exercise of the right and power of th
,uHIage Jul. at such elections. But with my views
1CCn OF The cObstitutiOnality and OF the valueo
me existing laws, cannot approve any meas
ile 1l ior tnelr repeal except In connection with
ne enactment of other legislation which NAV
easonaDly be expected to afford wiser and
more efficient safeguards for free and honest |
congressional elections.
puo,,., RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion; May %, 1879