The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-05-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, MAY sth, 1879.

WASHINGTON, MAY sth, 1879.
Mr.. EDITOR: The Southern Dem
ocracy, after devoting nearly week in
secret caucus, agreed to present sep
arate bill to prevent the President
from carrying out the clause in the
Constitution which declares che shall
take care that the laws be faithfully
executed by providing a bill to pre-
vent him from using any portion Of the
army to secure an honest election. and
virtually placing the enforcement of
the United States laws, not in the
hands Of the President as provided by
the Constitution, but under the State
authority, thus placing themselves
squarely upon the platform of State
Rights and in opposition to the general
Governments. The conclusions Of the
Southern Democratic caucus were pre-
sented to the House of Representative
on Nor day last, and on Tuesday the
Republicans offered the following as a
substitute: ...t.
WHEREAS, the unnecessary pres
ence of troops at the polls is contrary
to the spirit of our institutions and the
traditions Of our people, and would
tend to destroy the freedom of cleo.
tons: and
WHEREAS, the presence of troops at
the polls has heretofore been. and NAV
hereafter be necessary and proper for
the suppression of illegal and powerful
combination of armed men in military
array, engaged in obstructing by force
due execution of the laws Of the
United States and III destroying the
freedom and peace of elections: and
WHEREAS, experience has shown
that the existence Of the Republic, the
supremacy Of it's laws and the liberties
of its people, can only be maintained
against the military and other power
full com binations of their enemies BY
the exertion of the military power of
the Government in subOrdination to
the civil in support of the law: and
WHEREAS, the injunctions OF the
Constitution that the President shall
take care that the laws be faithfully
executed are equally binding in res
pect to laws relating to elections, the
course Of justice, and all other laws of
the United States, without distinction
of days, places,or occasions Therefor
Be 1t enacted, &C., That it shall
not be lawful to bring to or employ
at any place where a general or special
election is being held in q State,
any part of the army or navy of the
United States unless such employ
men& be necessary to carry out the
provisions Of the Constitution of the i
United States, or to overcome forcible
obstruction to the execution of the
laws made in pursuance thereof.
SEC. 2. Every person who violates
the privileges of this act shall be sub
ject to the penalties named in section
1928 of the Revised Statutes"
These We're voted down by the
Southern Democracy and under the
gag law, that is the previous question,
tlae Republicans were prevented from
Offering any further amendments or
speaking upon the bill. It passed the
House Of Representatives the day at
ter it was presented. just as it was
prepared in the caucus, thus securing
g Absolute freedom for rife clubs and
'ed-shirt rut1ians at the polls and no
with ballot box suffers
md tissue ticket operations" by which
he Southern Democracy propose to
larry the Presidential election in
$50.
Upon the motion Of Hon. Chas. G. :
Williams, Of Wisconsin, the House Of ]
7opr sc~tat;ves has mado one sens t
lie Improvement Heretofore in cali }
NC the roll it has been the practice to |
all the full name Of each member
or instance Herman 7. Humphrey
astead Of Humphrey. This more :
han doubled the time, and, with the :
low calling which is rroyerbial in the
louise, it required more than half an u
our to take the ayes and noes, from {
ctual calculation, it has taken one Il
bird Of the entire session to call the 8,
yes and noes. Hon. Thad G. Pound,
{ Wis, earnestly aided Nj, Williams