New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-30
THE TEXT OF THE VETO.


| To the House of Representatives!
I have maturey considered the important ques-
lions presented by the bill entitled IAN Act making
Appropriations for the support of the Army for tho
| fiscal year ending June 80, 1885, and for other
purposesD and now return it to the House Of Rep
resentatives in which it originated with my obiec-
tons to its approval
| The bill provides in the usual form for the appro-
priaons required for the support Of the Army dur.
ing the next fiscal year. If it contained no other
provisions, it would receive my prompt approval.
1t includes, however, further legislation which, at
tached as it is to appropriations which are requisite
| for the efficient performance Of of the most
necessary duties Of the Government, involves gues-
| tions of the gravest character.
The sixth section Of the bill is amendatory Of the
statute now in force in regard to the authority Of
persons in the civil, military and naval service Of
the United States at the place where any general
or special election is held in any State" This
statute was adopted February 25, 1865, after
protracted debate in the Senate. and almost with
out opposition In the House of Representatives by
the concurrent votes of both of the leading poti:
cal parties of the country, and became a law by
the approval of President Lincoln. X re-
enacted in 1874 in the Revised Statutes of tho
United States-Sections 2,002 and $685. which are
as foows
SECTION 2,O02.-No military naval officer or other
person engaged IN the civil military OF
the United states, snail order bring, keep or have
the place where any general or special election
held In any State, unless be necessary To repel the
armed enemies OF the United States, to keep the
SEC. 552s.-Every officer Of the army or navy. or
other In the civil military or naval service OF
the United states who orders brings Keeps or nag
at any place where general or special election is
repel armed enemies United States. 10 keep
the peace at ne polls shall be fned not more than
80 900 and suffer Imprisonment at hard labor. not less
than three months, nor more than five years.
The amendment proposed in this statute in the
bill before me Omits from both of the fore going
sections the words "or to keep the peace at the
polsr The effect of the adoption of this amend
ment may be considered:
first-UpOn the right of the United States
Government to military force TO keep the
peace at the elections for members OF Congress- and
Second-UpOn the right of the Government by
civil authority to protect these elections from yio-
lence and fraud.
NEW LAW UNNECESSARY.
In addition to the sections of the statute above
quoted the following provisions Of law relating 20
the use of the military power at the elections are
now in force
srCTioN 2OO3.-No officer OF the Army Navy OF the
United States snail prescribe Ak. or attempt pre-
the qualifications OF voters 10 any state or IN
ner Interfere with the freedom OF election In any
state with the exercise Of the free right Of suffrage
In any State.
SIC 5J29-Every officer other person in the milf
tary or naval VINO by force. threat. nmidatOn
ORDER advice or otherwise, prevents or attempts 10
vent any qualified voter VI any State from freely exer-
cisng tie right OF suffrage at general special
election In such State, shalt be fined than
So 900 and imprisoned at hard labor not more i've
SEC. 3, 530.-Every officer OF the Army Navy who
prescrlbes or hXes or attemps 10 prescribe or Tx,
proclamation order or otherwise the quail
caons voters election In any state shall be
punished as provided IN the preceding section.
SEC 5.53-Eyey officer or other person IN the Mill
tary or Naval service, who BY force threat ntml ZION.
order otherwise cOmpels or attempts 10 compel
holding election In state 10 receive
from person not legally qutl1ed 10 vote, or who
poses attempts 10 impose any regulations for
Quoting any general special election In State dir.
erent those prescribed by law who ntereres In
any manner with any officer OF election In the dis
charge OF his duty, shall DO punished prescribed IN
section 1929.
sEc 5532-Every person convicted OF any OF the
specified tue Ave preceding sections shall
i'm addition the punishments therein scyeraly pre-
scrbed be disqualified from holding any Office OF honor,
profit or under the United Sates but nothIsg in
those shall be construed prevent officer
soldier sailor marine from exercising the right Of
suffrage In any election district 10 which MAY belong
otherwise qualified according TO the laws OF tae state
III which he offers To vote.
The foregoing enactments would seem to be sufii-
Gent TO prevent military interference with the eIec-
tions But the last Congress, TO remove all appre,
henson of such interference, added 10 this body Of
law section fifteen of act tntitled "An act making
appropriations for the support Of the Army for tho
fiscal year ending June 80 1879. and for other pur-
poses.p approved June Is, 1873. which is as fol-
lows:
SECTION I5-From and after the passage OF this u
shah not be lawful 10 employ any part III the Army of
See Filth Page.