Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-06-06

city 81 New York alone in 1855 was not less than
gAkOS A comtnittee Of the atth congrcsS,tn their
report submitted IN lS5i adopted the opinion
that for every one huadred actual voters OF the
elty Of New York in ISIS one hundred and eight
votes were east, whom In fact the numNer Of law.
Ml votes cast could not have exceeded IS per
cent. ot the actual voters or the city, Ky this
statement the number OF nsndalent votes at tha,
election in the city Of Now York alone was be.
tween thirty and forty thousand. These frauds
completely reversed tho result OF tho election IN
the slate of New York, both rs to the choice Of
governor aud state ofccrS and rs 10 the choice OF
electors ot president and vice president OF tho
CUited States They attracted the attention Of
whole colatry. Ii twas sS,d that II they could I'D
ernmcut was Impossible A distinguished sena-
tor in opposing tho passage of tho election laws,
declared he had tor a long time believed that our
form Of government WAS comparatively q failure
prevent these crimes tho United States laws regu
lattng congressional elections wen, enacted,
vns rsANSss OF ruksE LAWS
have not been disappointed IN their results, In
large cities under helr provisions the elections
have been comparatively pNaccahle, orderly and
honest. Even the opponents Of those laws have
borne testimony to their value aud efficiency ami
10 the necessity tT their enactment Tho cont
mitee u the Nlth eonSrrSs, composed " menu.
hers, majority OF whom wcro opposed TO these
laws, in their report on tho New York election Of
lS,G sa,d; "the commtttc lee would commend to other
portions otthc country aud 10 other cities tho tc-
othoth local sna federal authorities acting IN hars
mouy for an houeSt purpose, In no portion 81
tho world and III no era ot ttn,n where thcro has
been an expression at the popular Will Though
the forms OF law, has There been = moro complete
and thorough illustration Of republican ius,itu-
uons, Whatever may have been the previous
habit or conduct OF elections IN those cities, "
however they may conduct themselves IN tho
future, the elections Of 1876 will stand as monu.
mcnt oi what good faith, honest means on legal
forms aud Just authority may do Tor tho protection
otihe electoral Nanehsc.'
THIS RiLL RVccaNlIpS
the authority and duty ct the United States 10 Rp.
point supervisors 70 guard aud scrutiUtre congress
sieNa elections but IL denies to the government OF
the United States all power to make its supervision
cnectual, The great body OF all parties want 1--WE
aud tasr elections They do not think ircc
election means trccdom frNm wholesome restraints
Of Law, or that the place ot election should 10 the
sanctuary for lawlessuess and crime. IN the day o
an election peace and good order necessary
than amy other day vt the wear. On that day the
humhlcst aud fcchl,st citizens, aged aud ianrm.
should bc aud should have reason 10 feel that they
safe IN the exercise OF their most responsible
duty aud their most sacrNd right as members vi 50.
ciety-ther duty aud their right 10 vote, Tho cnn-
sutuonal authority 20 regulate congressional elco-
tens which belongs 10 the government Of the United
states, and which N is necessary to exert 10
the rishs - vote TO every eitson possessing tho
requisite qualifications, ought 10 be enforced hy ap
preptiato legislation ~ far from prhlic opnion
In any part vt the country hvurng aOy relaxation
II elections from violence and corruption, believe
Il
DEMANDS orrArER vIGou,
both In the enactment and in the execution Of law
framed for that purpose Any oppression, amy par.
tisan raraltty which experience may have shown
in the working Of existing laws, may we'll cugNgo
the careful attention both OF congress aud OF the
executive IN thcv respective spheres OF duty Tor tho
corrections Of these mlsehleS, As no
congressional elections until after the regular
session Of congress will have boon hold, there
seems 10 DO no party eNigcncy, that wond preclude
reasonable consideration a that session Of any adj
mtnsgation details that might Improve present
methods Designed Tor the protection ot all citizens In
the complete aud equal exercise OF the rithl and
power Ut suffrage at such elections but with my
We've both ef tho constuieuality aud " the value
Of existing laws,
CANNOT APPROVE
any measure Tor their repeal, except In connection
with the enactment Of other legislation which may
reasonably b. expected TO 0ord wlaer and more ell
cient safeguards Tor troV aud honest congressional
elections.
(SKncd) RUTHERFORD II, HAYES.
Executive Mansion, May ~, 1872.