Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-05-08
Congressional.

W AedlNHEoNt uAuy " w " ~
''Surronderl" coupled with the fear that their
conduct would be regarded as retreat from
their contest with tho Precedent, has proved
too much for the Democratic Bourbons in the
House. The milder policy Of the Senate was
also nnpalatable, hence the House caucus
assumed to itself to-day the sole business Of
preparing the bill which is to take the place
Of the legislation in tho army bill objected
to by the President The sixth section has
been thrown overheard altogether, and in its
stead the caucus has agreed upon btnoombe
preamble and bill, which latter has been
happily described to night as measure to
enact certain portions Of the constitution Of
the United States defining the duty of the
Executive. The preamble recites stale
platitude about military interference with
political elections being Inconsistent with
the spirit Of republican institutions"
Senator Thurman and Congressman John
b. Elan, of Louisiana. are credited with
being the chief sponsors for the new bill,
which in it's general tenor Is affirmative and
explanatory, instead of being in the nature
of repealing measure. f. %.,. 3,$
The caucus was SO much at sea at ono time
in its efforts to get q satisfactory reading of
tho bill that one proposition submtted was
go innocent rs to provide that Nothing
contained herein shall abridge the power of
the President Of the United Suites in the
proper and constitutional exercise Of his
right"
The Conservative Democrats had to bond
before the force Of the Bourbon clemens in
tho caucus and accept tho dictation Of the
majority. Their hope is to get the result
before the House as soon as possible, and
amend the bill there or at lens, in the Senate.
Tho caucus to-day does mol bind the Senate
Democrats, who nro at liberty to amend the
bill III their Chamber, whereupon II must go
back to the House for concurrence in the
alterations. 1t is hoped that wiser measure
will be thus eventually secured.
The caucus agreed upon the exaet terms OF
the measure to be separately passed in lieu Of
the sixth section, it being also agreed that oil
of the remainder of the bill shall
bo deferred until this Independent political
measure shall have been acted upon by tho
President. 1t will provide, in substance,
that Sections 2,0O2 and 2.003 Of tho Revised
Statutes shall. not be construed ns authorizing
the President to station or maintain troops
Mt the polls except to repel armed invasion Of
the United Suites, or in pursuance Of tho
cons 'itntional requirements upon application
of the L Legisnturoof q State for Of the Govern.
or when tie Legislature cannot be convenod)
to reprcss domestic violence The sections
referred to are MS follows:
SECTION 2,0O2. No military or naval officer
Or other person enBagad in the civil, military
Or naval service Of the United States shall
order. bring keep or have under his authority
or control any troops or armed men OF the
place where any general or special election is
held in any State. unless it be necessary to
repol the armed enemies of the United States
or to keep tho peaco at the polls.
SEcTtnN 2,003. No officer OF tho army or
navy Of the United States shall prescribe or
fix, or attempt to prescribe or fix, by any
proclamation. order or otherwise, the quaiG.
cations of voters in any State. or in any
manner interfere with the freedom of any
election in any State, or with the exercise
of the FREQ right Of suffrage in any State.
The bill will DO accompanied by short
preamble of On argumentative nature, to
determine the phraseology Of which and also
to agree upon an effective title. consumed
time to.day. Among the titles
suggested were the following:
"a bill to protect the ballot from military
interference"
"A bill to prevent tho army and navy
from interfering with the freedom of cleo
TONS"
"a bill to prevent the control of electiona
in the States by tho army and navy of tho
United States"
"a bill to prevent the use Of tho army Mt
the polls and promote freedom of elections"
1t is understood that tho title finally
adopted is "a bill to prevent interference by
tho army with elections"
Tho action taken by tho caucus is substan.
TALLY i. accordance with al "amended report"
presented to-day by tho committee to whom
tho whole subject wes re.committed yester-
day. The proceedings are said to havo been
characterized by spirit Of harmony and good
feeling.
WARRINGTON, May 5.-IIouse.- Under tho
call of States, the following bill was intro
duced and referred by Ladd, Of Maine, to
prohibit military interference at elections.
Referred to the Committee on the judiciary.
The following is the text Of the bill:
"Whoreas the presence Of troops at the
polls is contrary to the spirit Of our people,
and tends to destroy the freedom Of elections,
therefore, be it enacted, &c., that it shall not
DO lawful to bring or to employ at any place
where general or special election is being