The New York herald., 1879-03-28
Republican Programme on the Po-
litical Provisions.
THEIR RECORD IN The LAST CONGRESS-
Enforcement of the Federal Elec-
ton Laws in Philadelphia.
MlRSIIAIS AND SUPERVISORS UNNECESSARY
Expenses Of Funding the Ma
tional Debt.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. +
WASHINGTON, March q, 1870
THE ARMY BILL IN THE HoUsE-PRovIsIoNs
AGREED UPoN-ACrIoN DETERMINED ON BY
REPUBLICANS REGARDING TROOPS AT THE
POLLS
The greenbackers thought better of it this morn
ing aud did not demand the announcement OF the
committees before the introduction of the Army
bill. They had perhaps heard. what true.
that If any such demand had been made
the Speaker would have Immediately announced
the Appropriations Committee. and business would
havo gone The Army bill therefore intro
duced without objection. and its different sections
discussed in Committee of the Whole, and when
the sixth section reached, which contains the po-
ltical legislation 1t passed over by general con-
sent. until the Committee of the Whole has completed
action on the remainder of the biIl and the House
adjourned shortly after four to give the republicans
opportunity to meet in Three sections re-
mained to be considered. and the debate on the po-
ntical part of the bill will take place tomorrow.
The House worked In good humor to-day. mo-
tion to reduce the force of the army voted down
by yeas 49, nays 119. clause allowing the transfer
of money from one item to another in the appropri-
ations was struck ont by 1O4 to o5. Both of these
were non-partisan votes General Buffers telegraph
at the last session, and is in these words:-
Tecgrams arc authorized to be transmitted by rail.
road companies which may have telegraph lines and
which shall file their written acceptance of the
strictions and obligations imposed on telegraph
companies by title 65 of the Revised Statutes
and for the general public at rates to be
fixed by the government according to the provisions
of title 65 Of tho Revised Statutes.
The republicans in caucus this evening determined
to ask the democrats for time for unlimited debate
not to be cut of by the previous question. They
have also agreed that no republican member shall
pair with q democrat, but oil are to be pres
cnt constantly. The leaders on the republi-
can sido are to be Messrs. Garfield and
Frye. Finally 1t determined to oppose the
amendments they stand in tho bill and to offer as
substitute the statute it stands; to offer
amendments clause prohibiting the presence of
stato troops at the polls. and another that any per-
son found bearing detected in carrying con-
cealcd weapons upon his person any day when
LII election is being held for federal officers shall
be liable 10 arrest. and upon conviction shall
be subjected to fine of not less than $1,000 nor
more than $1,000, and imprisonment for not less
than five years, in the discretion OF the Court-that
Is to say. the republicans have determined to spend
as much time possible the Army bill and op-
pose much they able the proposition Of tho
democrats.
What the democrats propose to do is to strike out
each section. Or to Keep the peace at the polls"
These eight words they stand in the statutes
allow any army navy officer in his discretion to
station troops at the polls if, in his judgment it is
necessary to keep the peace and it is this discretion
sry privilege that the democrats wish to abolish
The republicans will not flibustcr but will begin
by objection that the proposed amendments are
In violation of the section of 12O concerning
appropriation bills. which says-
Nor shall any provision in any such bill amend
mcnt thereto changing existing law bo in order,
cept such being gerane to tho subject matter of
the bill shall rctrench expenditures.
ovcrruied this, they will claim that the amend
mcnt in violation of the constitution which directs
The President to keep the peace the demand OF Gov
ernors Legislatures and they will assert that tho
whole action Of the democrats revolutionary. and
that the federal has the right to exercise
all its powers military well civil. in the cleo
ton Of federal representatives. Speeches made
by Mcssrs. Garfield. Robeson, Keiacr Hawiey,.
McCook. Cannon and others.
At the close OF tho last session tho republicans
were very willing to Join in the repeal Of this clause
They thought II of no consequence. Mr.. Foster. on
the last night Of tho session. said in his place in the
House that the republicans had offered to agree to
the amendment concerning troops at the polls and
to the repeal Of the jurors test OATH and he ex
planned the republican position appending such
Are you going to force us to repeal these laws
by provisions on an appropriation bill. know wo
have had great deal OF discussion about leaisla-
tion upon appropriation bills. II has been said
that the republicans in times past have been In tho
habit OF legslating upon appropriation bills. agree
TO that, and for myself I cannot sec any great
harm in lcgislating upon appropriation bills when
both houses agree to 1t. But this proposition mover
was brought into this House as an independent
measure You never sought TO have II passed through
this House and scnt 20 the Senate independent
measure but you come in hero with this proposition
upon the Senate. There, in my Judgment. is where
the wrong of. lcgisating upon appropriation bills
comes in.
That is to say. they objected In February only on
the ground that the House and wece ut vari-
snce and held that where the twohouscs agreed
thoso no impropricty in such "ridcrs,' rs they
are called. Mr.. Garfield followed Mr. Foster. and
said of this Army bill amcndment:-
sri free to admit for that these cnactmcnts
were passed at period so different from the present
dircchon muster them out rs we mustered out of
service the victorious armies whom the was
objection to letting these sections 80 through
! l., do not -. quite see how anybody
call out its own militia 10 keep tho peace at its own
polls. ard nobody calls that tyranny, nobody calls
liberty. SO Il seems % that a nation when IL has
its own elections. which its constitution says it
may regulate as to tho time, place and manner
use its own military fofce to keep tho
peace at its own national polls That
Is all there In In these two sections that any gentle
man has complained Of. Now believe, as q matter
of fact. will say that any citizen, during tho
thirteen years and moro that this Jaw has stood on
our statute book, has been dcncd tho full and FREQ
exercise of the elective franchise In consequence OF
thc presence Of armed sodiers Of tho United states
near tho polls. II there has been such a
case will join with any Of any party In dcpre
eating It, In deplorng II. in doing what can 10 pre-
vent It's But lest IL should be rock OF
offence and stone of stumbling TO any man In this
country for would be willing 10 let Il go out OF
foxr~ all. r.lxx
liberty of the citizen.
Mr.. Garfield will probably explain tomorrow tho
grounds on which he has changed his mind. The
private talk Of republicans s 10 The effect that tho
party iesd0rs In Ne ssssss seeing tho great success