Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-29

The Presidents message, vetOing the leglSla-
tive executive and judicial appropriation bill,
which was sent to the House to-day, Is con-
densed statement OF the special grounds OF Oo-
lection to the repeating riders For the o.
Jections to the practice Of lacking general
legislation to appropriation bills, especially
when the object Is to deprive coordinate
branch Of the government of its right to the
free exercise of its own discretion and judg
ment touching such general legislation" refer
ence is made to the first veto message of the
session. The President then analyses the politi-
cal clauses of the BILL relating to supervisors
and marshals Of elections, to determine the true
meaning and effect of the proposed legislation.
1t Is found that the supervisors, with the
authority to observe and witness the proceed
ceedings at Congressional elections will be left;
but there will be no power to protect them, CT
to prevent interference with their duties or
to punish any violation of the law
from which their powers are derived. TIL y
become merely interested spectators such as
political parties now furnish without authority
of law to prevent their opponents from obtain
ing unfair advantages. The arguments offered
I'm favor Of the bill are then discussed. In reply
to the claim that congressional elections sh ould
be controlled exclusively by the states, and
that the existing law regulating such electors
Is without warrant In the constitution, the
pertinent clauses In that instrument are quoted;
1t Is pointed out that the vetoed bill, by giving
the government, In however small degree, the
power to supervise, recognizes the principle
that these are national and not state elections;
and attention is called to the fact that In no re-
ported case has the constitutionality either of
the comprehensive law of 1866, regulating sena-
torial elections, Of the statutes regulating the
election of members of the House of RepreSen-
tatives, ever been called In question. In reply
to the argument that the United States
election laws are unnecessary, it Is pointed
out that a committee of the Fortieth
Congress, after full investigation, reached the
conclusion that the number of fraudulent votes
cast In the city Of New York in 1868 was not less
than 5000, and that other committees have
reported that the frauds were still more exten-
sfve, in either case completely reversing the
result Of the election In the state. 1t Is urged
that the law framed to meet these evils and
prevent these crimes has made the elections In
large cities, under their provisions compare
clusion the President says that so far from
public opinion In any part OF the country favor
ing any relaxation Of the authority of the gov
eminent, In the protection of elections from vio-
lence and corruption, he believes that 1t de-
mands greater vigor both In the enactment and
In the execution OF laws framed for that purpose,
and he cannot approve any measure for their
repeal except In connection with the enactment
OF other legislation which may reasonably be
expected to afford wiser and more efficient safe
guards for free and honest Congressional cleo
lions.