Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-05-13
A Bill to Prevent Military Interference
With Elections.

Whereas, the use of troops at the polls
is contrary to the spirit of our institu-
tions and the traditions of our people
therefore.
Be 1T enacted, &C., That SO much of
sections POOP and 552S, and so much of
all other laws and parts of laws as au
thorize or allow the use of the army or
navy of the United States at the place
where any general or special election is
being held, be and the same are hereby
repealed.
The bill contains this proviso:
"That nothing contained in the act
shall affect the meaning of the act of
1875, which provides for the manner in
which the President shall respond to a
call from State for troops to put down
instruction or domestic violence"
The above is the new bill which was
passed by both Houses of Congress last
week, and so framed as to meet the OBJ
jections of the President to the one he
vetoed.
It was put into the hands of the Pres
ident Saturday, and few days Will
show whether or not he will veto it.
If he shall veto this bill, he will shock
the sentiment of liberty-loving people,
and add to the strength of the Demo.
cratic party that is contending for free
elections.
AS the Lynchburg Viryinidn says, it
is a novel spectacle for these United
States, to see any considerable number
of the peoples representatives .arraying
themselves in Congress against a meas
ure that is altogether in consonance with
republican usages. No party in Eng
land to- day could hold power for twen-
ty.four hours if it contended for the
principle that binds the Republicans in
Congress together at this time. A slight
reference to old English authorities will
put this matter in very clear light,
and show how our English ancestors
would have regarded the struggle now
going on in an American Congress, that
should feel pledged to maintain republi-
can freedom. LAS it is essential to the
very being of Parliament" says Mr..
Justice Blackstone, "that elections
should be absolutely free, therefore all
undue influences upon the electors are
illegal and strongly prohibited. For
Mr.. Locke ranks it among those breach.
es of trust in the executive magistrate
which, according to his notions. amount
to dis solution of the Government, "i1
he employees the force, treasure and of.
fees of the society to corrupt the repre-
sentative or openly to pre-engage the
electors and prescribe what manner Of
persons shall be chosen. For thus tc
regulate candidates and electors and
new-model the ways of elections. what
is it, says he, but to cut up the Govern
ment by the roots and poison the very
fountain of public security PAS soon
therefore, as the time and place of cleo
ton, either in counties or boroughs, arr
fixed, all soldiers quartered in the place
are to remove, at least one day before
the election, to the distance oftwo miles
or more, and not to return till one day
after the poll is ended"
These old authors put the doctrine
quantity but strongly, for which the De
mocrats in Congress are contending
Let the Republicans insist upon theil
plan to "new-model the ways of cleo
TONS" to cut up the Government by
the roots and poison the very fountain
of public security" and the people, i
they are worthy of their ancestry, will
have something to say about it.
When this bill was first offered in tn
House, the President was represented a
having expressed his willingness to sigl
it, but the indications now are, that h
has been influenced to change his pur
pose, and that he will veto it.