The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-28
The First Stage.

The passage Of the Army bill by the Sem
cte, in the exact form which the House pro-
posed, presents To the Fraudulent President
the first issue made by tho Republicans.
They would like to get the Legislative, Jul
dicial and Executive bill before him at the
same time, and their strategy has been, and
will be, directed TO that object, so as TO have
two chances for veto. But we dare say
the Democrats Of the Senate, who seem to be
quite as alert as their opponents, and who
have the majority to sustain their policy
will not crafty the managers ON the other
side in this respect
1t may be confidently assumed that the
Legislative bill will not be allowed to so to
the White House before the expiration OF
the ten days to which the Executive is en-
titled for considering bills. His reflections
will not be disturbed in that time, except by
the leaders who are now seeking TO drive
him into their terms with the party whip
and spur. All the "coercion," which fig
ured so largely in the recent debate, is ON
one side, and Mr.. CoNKLING gave pretty
strong voice to it when he told the Senate
that the result depended on HAYEs's firm
ness.
There is not the scmblance OF justification,
or even an ordinary pretext, for veto Of
this bill. Consider what the Constitution
says:
The O,nqres shall have power
"To raise and support armies no Appropriation Of
money to that use shah be Tor longer term than two
years;
TO make rules for the government and regulation OF
the land and naval forces
The fathers were so jealous OF military
power, that they would not even permit
Congress to make an appropriation for the
support OF the army "for a longer term
than two years" In England the army ex-
lists solely by an annual vote, upon what is
known as 1.-THE Mutiny bill" Tho whole
organization OF the army in this country
would die natural death il congress should
stop the supplies. as it has an undoubted
right TO do
The army Is distinctivcly and exclusively
the creature of Congress, and Congress
alone has the authority "to make rules for
the government and regulation Of the land
and naval forces" This is the organic law.
Now, what does Congress propose to do on
the present Army bill Nothing more than
TO regulate that troops Of the United States
shall not interfere with elections, under
pretence of keeping the peace at the polls.
This is the whole proposition, which the Re
publican leaders have tried to obscure or TO
conceal by false cry and partisan clamor.
Mr.. HAYES will DO required to show his
hand, and lodging cannot be utilized on this
occasion. He has been training for some
time past TO join the noble band Of stalwarts,
and but for their leaning in personal di-
rection, he would have been enrolled as full
member before now He is for JOHN SHEER
MAN in preference to Gen. GRANT for the Re-
publican nomination, and though SHERMAN
is In accord with the ultraism Of GRANT $
friends, Of course they separate whore the
roads fork in different directions as to a
candidate for the Presidency.
Speculation ms to HAYEs's final action Is
useless. He may or may not sign the bill,
just as he happens TO be impressed with
the last influence brought to bear upon his
wavering mind. II he signs, the stalwarts
will be enraged, because, after all their vio-
lent defamation ana furious crusade, It
would be n stern rcbuke TO their sincerity
II he yetoes, the Democrats will be prepared
TO pass the amending clauses as n separate
measure, and meantime suspend the Army
bill, like MOHAMMED's coffin, until he de-
cides. A second veto would necessitatc a re-
turn to the original form, and a third would
be followed by such action as public opin-
ion would require I'm regard TO weak but
obstinate Executive seeking TO coerce Con
gress by defiance OF moderate, WISE and
uacassnrU lopielotfon