The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-06-18
mr. gTFPHENg' VIEWS.

NH Of III ALA14EA0 LII W.
A correspondent Of the Augusts
Chronicle reports to that paper the
following as part of conversation
with Hon. A. FL. Stephens:
Correspondent-What think you
Mr.. Stephens, Of The veto, and wha'
will be the result3 What will the
democracy now do?
Mr.. Stephens-The message is 6
sophistical evasion of the issue pre-
sented by the bill vetoed. The
President says distinctly that he is
opposed to military interference al
the polls; that he thinks no add
tional legislation is necessary to
prevent it; that he himself while in
Office never will have the military
used. But his objection to the bill as
passed is that it goes farther than
what is expressed in the title. and
even the body of it in its sweeping,
concluding repeating clause. cuts
too deep, and repeats and annuls, in
several particulars, the acts 1925
OF Washington's administration, and
1907 of Jeferson's, etc., etc.
All this think is utterly without
just foundation. The bill as passed
repeats nothing but all laws and
parts of laws that authorize the in.
reference of troops at the polls.
The President must know that there
is a statute in the revised code,
passed in 1866 (20O2), which does
authorize the use of the military at
the polls. It is true this authority
is by implication. The law, as it
stands, declares that troops shall
not be used at elections, except for
certain specified purposes, or "to
keep the peace" Hereon hangs the
whole tale. Under pretext of keep
ing the peace at the polls, the Presi-
dent must know that troops have
beeu used. They were so used
throughout the southern States dur
ing the reconstruction process. They
were SO used throughout South Caro-
lima and some of the other southern
States in the election of 1876. and
though he says that he will never so
use them himself, yet he knows that
they have been so used, and may be,
unless positively forbidden by law.
Now, if the President be sincere
in what he says, it seems to me that
the differences between him and
Congress are narrowed down to
very plain ard distinct issue. ri
would say let another measure be
presented TO him, either as pro
viso to the army bill, directing and
restricting how the money thereby
used is appropriated. or as distinct
section, or as a separate aud inde-
pendent measure expressly repeal
ing any and al laws and none other
except those authorizing the use of
he military at the polls, under the
'retext of keeping the peace. Mr..
Hayes has virtually said in his veto !
hat this is what he wants. This is !
ertainly all that Congress wants,
nd, therefore, say. that the issue
houid be once more presented to a
inn SO that he cannot evade =
on any special or technical y
leading. If he again yetoes, of c,
purse the Democracy can properly
fer no factions opposition. They m
i'll have done all that they can do !! N
secure free ballot to the people Ar
the United States. vi
The issue win be clearly and dis. pc
lctly made to the country between ha
e Democracy and the Republicans OF
this great. vital question of pub ID 20
liberty-free ballots on the Dem do
ratio side and bayonet ballots on ha
: Republican. What course the pr
mocracy will take, however. on Boz
s subject, [ do not know. There nal
} been no conference on the sub roa
t. So far as I have heard abv ger
PRESTON of opinion they seem to of
very calm and determined, not in
sienate. but firm in never aban. and
ing their position for the main So
ance OF free ballot and against ovt
onet rule at tue polls. They the,
hasten slowly, perhaps. in the Osit
elopment of their future policy. as '
y will do nothing rash or in q els'
e, as the Republicans and Central mo,
andaavorin0 10 provoke I
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