The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-30

bill. viz: That to withhold approproprations
iS constitutional means for the redress OF
what the majority of the House of Represen-
tatiyes H,' ,.aaa may regard gard "a griev.ance;"
clauses OF the bill and the sections OF the Re-
vsed Statutes sought to be repealed There
by he explains the true meaning and effect of
the proposed legislation, and quotes articles
OF the cOnSti' ution to prove that the founders
OF the republic regarded the election OF men,
bers of Congress as Of great interest to the
whole country. He refutes the claims made
by the trainers of the bill that the election Of
members Of Congress is matter which con
Germs the States alone. Nearly all the points
of the message have heretofore been pub
lished In the debates on the bill In both
houses.
The message concludes as follows
This bill recognizes the authority and duty
of the United States to appoint supervisors
to guard and sCrutinize the Congressional
elections, but it denies to the government OF
the United States all power to make its su-
pervision effectual. The great body OIL the
people of all parties want free and fair cleo
tions. They do not think that free election
means freedom from the wholesome restraints
OF law, or that the place OF an election should
be q sanctuary for laWlessness ana crimes:
On the day Of an election peace ana eoou
order are more necessary than any other day
Of the year. On that day the humblest ana
feeblest citizens, the aged and the infirrn,
should be and should have reason TO feel that
they are safe In the exercise Of tneir most re-
sponsibe duty and their most sacred right as
members Of society-their duty and right to
vote. The constitutional authority to regu-
late the congressional elections which be-
longs to the government OF the United States,
and which it Is necessary TO exert TO secure
the right to vote to every citizen possessing
the requisite qualifications. ought to be en-
forced by appropriate Legislation so far
from public opinion In any part OF
the country favoring any relaxation OF
the authority of the government In the
protection Of elections from violence and cor
ruption, / believe 1t demands greater vigor
both in the enactment and in the execution OF
laws framed for that purpose Any oppres-
sion, any partisan partiality which exf'eri-
ence may have shown In the working OF exist
ing laws, may we'll engage the careful atten-
tion both Of Congress and OF the Executive in
their respective spheres OF duty for the cor
rection of these misehefs. AS no congress
siOnal elections occur until after the regular
session or Congress will have been held, there
seems to be no public exlgency that would
preclude a seasoDable consideration at that
session Of any administrative details that
might improve the present method, designed
for the protection of all citizens In the com
plete and equal exercise OF the right and
power OF the suffrage at such elections; but,
with my views both Of the COnsttutiOnality
and Of the value Of the existing laws, cannot
approve any measure for their repeal, except
In connection with the enactment Of other leg
islation which may reasonably be expected to
afford wiser and more efficient safeguards for
free and honest congressional elections.
RUTHERFORD b. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, Washington, May 20, 1879.