Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-15
THE REPEAL CLAUSES.
Senator HerefOrd's Speech on
the HOar Resolution.

bills the feature of which he did not ap-
prove.
Mr.. Hereford quoted from the speech
of Mr.. Hoar, who had characterized such
plan as a simple process to subvert the
Constitution and destroy the definition
of the powers OF Congress and the
President, concentrating these powers
in Congress, and that IL was a sham 10
coerce the President, not in his execu-
tive capacity, but as part OF the legis-
lature. Mr.. Hereford said that both the
resolution and the speech OF the gentle
man from Massachusetts were remark
able, and then proceeded to show that
it was not unusual TO attach general leg
islation to appropriation bills, both by
Republican and Democratic parties, and
yet the Senator from Massachusetts said
that only two attempts had been made
TO put general legislation on appropria-
ton bills. On one occasion Senator
Anthony said here that it was known to
all that large part of legislation, since
he had been in Congress this twelve or
thirteen years. had been put in appro-
priation bills.
Mr.. Dawes suggested TO the Senator,
in the absence OF his colleague, that the
Senator from West Virginia did not
state clearly the arguments of his col
league, who had said that there were
only two instances of putting general
legislation on the general appropriation
bills since 1855, when there was an at
tempt to force the Executive TO ap-
prove OF an appropriation bill contain
ing legislation of which he would not
otherwise approve, makingthe approval
by the President a condition on which
supplies would befurnished to carry on
the government. 1t was not the argu-
ment OF his colleague that it was wrong
to put general legislation on an appro-
priation bill making its approval by the
President condition for voting supplies
to carry on the government.
Mr.. Hereford replied, that he had read
Mr.. HOar's speech carefully and heard
it delivered, and he thought that others
who heard or read it would take the
same view of the Senator's argument.
He then referred to Congressional pro-
ceedings, showing that the Republicans
when in the majority had exercised the
right OF putting general legislation on
appropriation bills. He quoted what
prominent Republicans had said in sup
port OF this right, and remarked the
matter was simply this, that when any
political party believed that the general
legislation proposed was right they
would pass il, il attaching il To a general
appropriation bill would effect that
purpose. II the Democrats have en-
acted improper legislation they learned
the practice from the Republicans.
They were gravely told that the wheels
OF the Government would stop il the
Democrats insisted upon the character
OF their legislation, and the President
should veto the bill containing II.
Therefore, the Democrats were stigma
tized a. ObstruCtionists and revolution
lists. Was il revolutionary to insist
that the army snOuli bc used onlo for
certain purposes? This was all they
proposed TO DO. They were only seek
ing to direct the manner in which the
public money should hc cXpcu l"d and
control il, which Congress has the pow
er 10 do. Ii this was revolutionary, he
hoped that those who opposed it would
never find their way back here. 1t was
a power essential 10 the liberty Of the
country that Congress should say when
money was appropriated how il should
be used, and in this connection he read
from speeches OF the late Senator Sew
ard and others who claimed and insisted
upon the exercise Of such right. If 1t
was revolutionary, il was counter
revolution to bring us back to where we
formerly stood. No one would deny
that il was right and fair 10 give to all
parts OF the country free and fair jury.
1t shonld be in the power Of Judge TO
object to a man as a juror by Offering
him the iron-clad oath, which he could
not take. The effect OF this was to drive
Of the white men Of the
South from the Jury box. There should
be the same law all over the country,
and none excluded who are competent
and intelligent. The Democrats asked
that this law be wiped out from the
Statute books, as il kept up irritation
and agitation in the South. BY retain
ing the law they kept on the Southern
people the badge OF degradation. The
Democrats sought 10 repeal the law rel
alive To supervisors and deputy mar
shals al general elections, 50 as 10 give
both parties an even chance AT the polls.
In 1877, as the official record showed,
nearly 500, 900 were paid 10 supervisors
and deputy marshals, who were all Re-
publcans, acting in the interest OF their
party and not in preserving the purity
OF the ballot. In 1875 SS9,647 were spent
for the same purpose, the larger part IN
New York. Mr.. Hereford spoke at some
length on this point, noticing particular
" the conduct al such officers in the
above city. Mr.. Davenport, he said,
had three Federal offices, namely. Chief
Supervisor. Clerk Of the United States
Circuit Court and United States
Commissioner. II appears from the
reports and the testimony Of Davenport
himself, that he directed complaints 10
be made against $500 persons, and
on these complaints warrants Of arrest
were issued against 5000. and 200 ar
rests were made. In view OF the
facts he had presented, il was no won
der that the people decreed the banish-
ulent Oh luldulOur I'its anu piuuIfTtI1
% the people. They wanted
no such persons 20 watch them when
voting. The Democratic party and all
other lovers Of liberty did not want the
army 10 be u%el for any purpose but 20
repel invasion from enimies Of the Gov
eminent. He believed that the Presi-
dent would sign the pending appropri-
alton bills. and that these bills did not
run counter - the President Whether
the President should do 20 or not this
should make no difference in their pur-
suit OF the right course. The Demo
crats did not cOerce the President, for
nobody had a night 10 say that the
President would veto this or the other
bill.
The legislation which the Democrats
objected % was tackled on % the appro-
priation bills, and they wished 10 annul
them in the same way. In conclusion,
Mr.. Hereford said: Repeal the obnoI.
ious laws and all will b. well. Give IN,
people tree elections and fair juries and