Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-06-25

nave ulAlNlAO NhH SNNNi'N'NN
between the chief ex-
ecutive magistrate and the supreme
of the country, IL he
should again deem it his duty to
volunteer his advice to the House
Of Representatives as to its mode
of procedure or TO comment Of
fcially upon the opinion Of its IN
dividual members.
The reasons for the action OF
Congress in thus passing the re-
pealing clauses as separate meas
ure are given and the Presidents
SECOND VETO MESSAGE
is reviewed. a difference in tone
between the two messages is noted
and the report continues:
81 The inevitable conclusion to be
drawn from the first is, that all
authority to employ the military
mower Of the United States at the
polls even in aid Of the civil otiic-
ers was tacitly il not expressly alb
iured. There is no such disclaim-
err, however. in the second message,
and it is claimed that's where the
danger lies. In times of high
political excitement in localities
where the contending parties are
neatly equally balanced or where
the INSCRIPTIONS leaders of a cor
rupt minority in political accord
with those who have control of the
troops are determined to defeat
the popular will by bringing force
10 the assistance Of fraud, appre-
tensions of riot and disturbance
will be easily stimulated and bayo-
nets readily furnished under the
pretext Of keeping the peace at the
polls, but really TO intimidate the
voter and distroy the freedom OF
the ballot. The entire argument
against the necessity of the hill !:
therefore left to rest upon the Pres
ident's reiterated assertion thai
troops have not been and will mo-
be used to interfere with any State
elections during his administration
That assertion was no douh
sincere. but unfortunately for it
validity for refusing to approve
bill designated for the protection
Of future generations as well Al
this. the official term of the presen
executive is limited, and h'
NAV be succeeded in the exalted
position he occupies by one wh'
will feel less scrupulous regar'
for the freedom and purity of tn
ballot box that ae processes him
self to entertain.
PRECEDENTs.
In answer to the Presidents oh
lection to the measure, based upol
the laws which would abrogate
the report takes mp in succession
the cited examples of the action
of previous Presidents under thes
laws. ms in the case of the whisk
instruction, the Aaron Burr mat
ter, etc, and says:
1t is abundantly evident, tina
even bad the President approve,
the bill, he could on a similar con
tingency have done everything tina
was done by either of his illus
trious predecessors in the instance
cited. without violating the lette
or spirit Of the act.
THE PRESIDENT MISINFoRMED.
! 1t continues under the sam
head:
A sufficient answer, however, {
this objection is that it is not true
I Owing. perhaps, to the limited tim
he allowed himself TO prepare hi
message, the President failed 10 OF
serve the fact that the various stat
uies TO which he refers, includin
section 5.29S, are as completely at
rogated or suspended by the &C
approved by President johnson o
the 9th Of February, 1867, as the
possibly could he by the bin {
prevent military interference wit
elections had he returned it 10 th
House with his approval. A mer
glance at the two provisions wi
suffice TO place this proposition bc
yond all possible doubt or contrc
, versy in an intelligent and candi
mind. 1t is a matter Of resre
, therefore, if not Of surprise, tn:
, the President should have permi
, ted himself, whether from owe
; anxiety 20 find reasons in suppo
r Of a predetermined veto or fro
: mere inattention TO the provision
D Of existing law, 10 assume pos
I ton so utterly void Of foundatio
? In fact, numerous decisions Of Il
Supreme Court show that section
2,002 and 3,52S Of the Revis,
Statutes do not even make il la,
! ful for an officer Of the Unit,
= Stated TO assume TO keep the pea
at the polls Of q State electio
They simply relieve the act Of ell
:, ploying troops or armed men
such officer from certain penalti
'e which its preparation, without III
Il excuse, might incur. AlthouI
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