Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-17
Mr.. Hayes and his Vetoes.

Mr.. Hayes ana mis- NetOeS.
Written Tor the CENrRL DENocRsr.
We do not wish to strip the Executive
branch of the government of the proper
and constitutional powers belonging to
it, but persuaded, as we are, that the
Federal Executive claims n binding
authority over the Representative, we
protest against the exercise OF assumed
power, and are decided that Mr.. Hayes,
as acting Executive, has invaded and
dangerously usurped the rights of the
States and the sovereignty of the people
in their exercise of the elective franchise
In his attempt to justify his acts, in his
veto messages. he only adds insult to
usurpation. The Congress passed "An
act to prohibit military interference at
State elections" and on the 18th Of
May, 1879, Mr.. Hayes vetoed the bill
and in stating his objections, he refers
to his veto of the act of tho Goth Of
April, similar bill, in which he says.
81 am forced to the conclusion that the
bill before me is not only unnecessary
to prevent such interference, but is
dangerous departure from long settled
and important constitutional princi
pies" This is a bold and reckless as.
sertion. In his construction Of section
4, of article (, Of the Federal constitu.
tion. he assumes chat military force
may be used at the place of elections
when such use is necessary to enforce
the constitution and laws that is, that
it is left to the discretion of tyrants and
usurpers to be put in operation. What
part OF the constitution authorizes the
President 10 invade the States with his
marshals and army on the day of elec.
tion? The section of that instrument
to which he refers gives no such author.
ity-gives no such right, and is in direct
contrayention of the reserved rights Of
the States, their constitutions and laws.
Mr.. Hayes refers to the acts of Congress
OF 1892 and 1895, and says: "the act Of
1892 was repealed by the act Of 1885,
This is true, and in his veto he quotes
the section as a justifable precedent
What application have they, or what
authority do they confer upon him to
interfere in the election of members Of
Congress with his marshals and soldiers?
Congress had laid an excise tax on stills
and whiskey; the inhabitants of West.
ern Pennsylvania we're opposed to the
enactment, and they armed themselves
and with mob violence burnt the col.
lector's Office. The Governor of Penn.
sylvania called upon President Wash.
ington to protect, under the constitu.
tion, the State against inyasion and
domestic violence" and troops. under
the command Of Gov. Lee, of Virginia,
were sent from Maryland, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, &C., to quell the insurrec.
ton. t.See Breekinridge's History Of he
Western Lnswrrection, Vol ,. page o. Is
this precedent for the usurpation OF
Mr.. Hayes? Does it give him super.
vision over the free elections Of tho
free citizens of the States. The very
statement Of the facts refutes his pre-
tensions.
lie next refers to the act OF Congress
OF 1907, which he says met with the
approval Of Mr.. jefferson. This is also
true. But why not act honestly with
the American citizen and give the rea
con and cause for that enactment9 lie
knew that at that time England claim.
ed "the right Of search" and the power
TO arrest and imPfison seamen on board
of American vessels. and did search
ships at sea, and impress American sea.
men into her own service. Remon.
strance proved unavailing, and Mr.. Jef.
ferson then asked Congress to lay an
: embargo aud enforce non.intercourse
with British vessels. This was done, and
no sooner done than IL provoked VIC.
lent opposition in the New England