Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-18

had apparently been attempted to give the
idea in another place that the bill only pre-
vented the army from being used as a civil
police force, but it seemed to be pretty gener-
ally understood that its real intent was to
prevent the President from using the army
to execute the laws of the Uaited States and
10 preserve peace. He did not intend to speak
against the bill at length, but moved the fol-
lowing: At the end Of section add these
words Except In aid of civil authorities.
Senator Voorhees, asked Senator Conkling
whether he was in favor of using the army
at the polls on election days.
Senator Conkhng replied that he was in
favor of executing the laws when necessary
by the aid Of the military power, on all days
and at all places, including the places where
the polls are held at elections, on election
days.
Senator Voorhees-Does the senator think
that we have law at the present time that
authorizes the President to interpose the army
at the POLISH
Senator Conkling said that there was more
than one provision requiring the President to
see to it that the laws are faithfully executed
at all times and places.
Senator Voorhees, said that he had asked
the question to see how much harmony there
was in the Republican party. A leader of
that party elsewhere had lately said, in reply
to the same inquiry: Il think that we have
NOT, that we never had it, and that We never
Ou0nG W nave 10 IN Time OIL peace.
Senator Conkling asked Senator Voorhees,
if he was in favor of that proposition HIM
self?
Senator Voorhees, answered that he would
not vote for this bill TO save his own life, if
he supposed it allowed any President to sur
round the ballot box and interpose troops to
control elections on election day. We say
we will not allow the use of the troops to
keep peace at the polls, and we do 1t because
we have faith In the capacity OF the people
to preserve peace themselves.
Senator Carpenter asked Senator Voorhees,
II the people are any mere capable of keep
ing peace on election day than on any other
day?
Senator Voorhees, said they were, in one
sense. All the people were out on that day
for good purpose, and though the bad class
were out too, the good element prevailed.
In further remarks, Senator Voorhees, said
he had not intended at any time during this
| session, to vote money to allow troops to be
used to control elections. He denied that
there had been any misunderstanding be-
tween himself and the senator from OHIO on
this subject. as alleged in some newspaper,
Senator Blaine said ne did not suppose any
one wished to renew the debate had before
On these provisions. The absurdity was that
we were legislating to remedy an evil that
did not exist. He would at least give an OPP
portunity to have fair play in the bill by Of
I6TiDG Inc IOuOWl0R amen ll11nGY WIlOQ
substantially like the one offered by him to the
first army appropriation bill, and which he
supported by the same line of argument as
he then used: At the end of section add
the words, Provided, however, that any per-
son who shall carry deadly weapons OF any
kind, openly or concealed. at the polls of any
election Tor representative IN congress, shall,
on conviction thereof, be punished with fine
of not less than i've hundred nor more than
five thousand dollars, or with imprisonment
for period not less than SIX months nor more
than FIVE years, or with both fine and iEaprls.
onment, at the discretion OF the court"
Senator Voorhees, having spoken of three
Massachusetts regiments who interfered in
the election in Indiana in 1864, Senator
Blaine thought there must have been some.
| thing extraordinary about these troops. He
had heard ct theiH ever since as having
troubled nearly all the places in Indiana.
Senator M 'Donaid read letter from an
eyewitness OF certain trans Lotions at In
dianapohs, tending to show that the Massa-
| chusetts troops were not mythical.
A long discussion ensued, and Senator
Conkling asked Senator Voorhees, why he
| supposed tae troops were there.
senator Voorhees, said he believed it was
TO recruit Indiana negroes to fill up the
Massachusetts regiments,
Senator Window read long report of
Jacob Thompson to the Confederate govern
/ nent about the Sons of Liberty" in Indiana,
indicating, according to Senator Window,
| that these Massachusetts troops were sent
into Indiana to suppress that reasonable Or
| ganls3ton, and succeeded in hindering their
operations.
Senator Withers suggested that all the re-
bellion records should be read
| Senator NJ Donald replied to Senator Win
dom. He denied that Thompson's letter
proved anyth ng or had anything to do with
this, and denounced any assertion that threw
doubt upon The loyalty of Indiana. Every
county IN that State furnished it's fall quota
| of Union troops.
Senator Beck read affldavits to prove mill
| tRry interference at the polls in 1865.
Senator Window said he would endeavol
to secure a vote on the pending question be.
| fore Adjournment to- morrow.
| a III ,urpc1