Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-21
an important part Of it's power to enforce the
ANOTHER GREAT OBJECTION

ANOTHER GREAT OBJECTION
to the bill is its discrimination in favor Of tho
state and against the national authority The
presence or employ ment OF the army or navy Of
the United States is lawful under the terms of
this Dill at the place where an election is being
held In state to uphold the authority of state
government then and there in need of such mill
tary intervention, bnt unlawful to uphold the au-
thority OF the government of the United States
tnen ana there In need OF such military 1nterven
ton. Under this bill the presence and employ
ment OF the army or navy OF the United States
would be lawful and might be necessary TO main
tam the conduct of a state election against do
mestlc violence that would overthrow it, but
would be unlawful to maintain the conduct or
national election against the same local violence
that would overthrow 1t. This Discrimination
mas never been attempted in any previous legs
latlon Dy congress and is more compatible
win the Sound principles of the constitution Or
the necessary maxjms and methods Of our sys-
tenn Of government on occasion OF elections than
at other times. In the early legislation OF 1899
and 1797, when the militia of the states was the
only military power resorted to for the execution
OF constitutional powers in support ef the state Or
national authority, both functions OF the govern
ment were put upon the same footing. BY the
act OF 1907 the employment of the army and navy
was authorized for the performance OF both con-
stitutl0nal duties in the same terms.
IN ALL LATER STATUTES
on the same subject matter, some measure of au-
thOrlty 10 the government has been accorded for
the performance of both these duties. No preCe-
and no sufficient reason has been given for the
discrimination in favor of states against the ma
tonal authority which this bill contains. Under
the sweeping terms OF the bill. the national gov
eminent is effectualy shut out from the exercise
of the right and from the discharge OF the imper-
alive duty, to its whole executive power
whenever and wherever required for the enforce
ment OF its laws in places and times where and
when its elections are held. The employment
OF its organized, armed forces for any such pull
pose would be an ottenc against the laws unless
called for by. and therefore upon the permission
OF, the authorities OF the state in which the occa
sion arises. What is this but the substitution Of
the discretion of the state governments for the
dlscretlon or the government of the United States
as TO the performance of its own duties?
IN MY JUDGMENT
this is the abandonment Of it's obligations by the
national government subOrdnation Of national
authority, intrusion of state supervision
over national duties, which amounts in spirit and
tendency to state supremacy.
Although L believe that the existing statutes
are abundantly adequate to completely prevent
military interference with the elections In the
sense in which the phrase 10 used in the title of
this bill and il employed by the people of this
country, shall find difficulty in concurring in
any additional legislation limited to that OBJECT
which does not interfere with the Indispensable
exercise Of powers Of the government and the
constitution and the laws.
[signedl RUTHERFeRD 3. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, May 70, 1879.