The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-21
The Issue Between the Republican
Executive and the Democratic Con
gress.
FREE ELECTIONS.

AT the last session of Congress, the
Democratic House Of Representatives,
to prevent military interference with the
freedom Of elections, passed the army
appropriation bill with a condition for
bidding the presence Of troops at the
/ polls except they are needed to discharge
the duties specified in Section 4, Article
| 4, Of the Constitution on the requisition
Of the Legislature Of any State, or the
Executive thereof, if the Legislature
/ cannot be convened. The Senate de-
/ feated the bill and the 10Th Congress
/ expired without making the appropria-
/ ton. An extra session Of the present
session was called. 1t passed a similar
bill to the one above mentioned. 1t
was vetoed by the President upon the
ground, first, that it would interfere
with the civil officers Of the United
States in the performance Of their duties !;
and second, that it would perpetuate the
Objectionable custom Of lacking riders
to appropriation bills To obviate these
objections and secure the main object Of
protecting the polls from military dom
ination, the two houses passed the
following bill:
WHEREAS, The presence OF troops at the
polls u contrary to the spirit Of our instiUu-
tions and the traditions OF our people, and
tends 10 destroy the freedom of election
"IheTgOre BE- Il euactcd DC. That il shall not
he laval TO bring to or employ at any place
where general or special election is being
heId IN a state any part OF the army or navy
oil the United States, unless such force be
necessary to repel the armed enemies OF the
United States or TO enforce section T. article
!, OF the Constitution OF the United States and
the laws made in pursuance thereof on APP
plicatlon OF the Legislature Of the Executive
OF the State where such force is to be used
and 80 much Of all laws as is inconsistent
herewith is hereby repealed"
This bill has also been vetoed osten-
sively because it would trammeI the
Executive of the United States in the
discharge of his obligations to enforce
the laws and preserve the peace in cases
where such Intervention was needed |
but really in order to hold in the
hands Of the Republican President
the means of carrying the elections by |
force and terrorism, and proIonging his
party's lease of power
The Democrats of the 18th Congress
deliberately resolved in caucus to vote
supplies to maintain the army and sup
port the government only on condition
that power to use the army at the polls
was revoked. When the present Con
5ress assembled, they renewed this
solemn covenant. The President on his
part, has declared that the power shall
lot be revoked; and he has thrice en-
'haslzed his pledge. Thus the issue
5 joined, and the country awaits with
nXiety the result. Neither side has
hown any disposition to back down. I
Immediately upon the reading of the
lst veto message in the House, Mr.. |
)eering (Republican of Iowa). moved I
suspend the rules to put upon its c
assage an appropriation bill without "A '
ause prohibiting troops at the polls. Y
yes 1Ol, Nays 100. All the Mississip- b
members Except Mr.. Chalmers, who | =
as ABSENT voted nay. q