Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-07-02

duty of the marshal becomes imperative,
and its performance would expose him
to udicial mandate or punishment, or to re-
moval from Office by the President, as the
circumstances of his conduct might require.
The bill now before me neither revokes this
popular right of citizens nor relieves the
marshal of the duty imposed by law, nor
the President of his duty to see that this
law is faithfully executed.
No GENERAL Discussion or THE GENERAL
ELECTION LAWS.
forbear to enter again upon any general
discussion of the wisdom and necessity of
election laws, or of the dangerous and un-
constitutional principle of this bill, tha: the
power vested in Congress to originate ap-
propriations involves the right TO compel
| the Executive to approve any legislation
which Congress may see fit to attach 10 such
bills, under penalty of refusing means need
ed to carry on essential functions of the
government.
The PRESIDENTS VIEWS
My views on these subjects have been suf-
fciently presented in the special messages
sent by me to the House of Representatives
said IN those messages regard as conclu-
sive as to my duty in regard to the bill be-
! fore me. The arguments urged in those
communications against the repeal of elec-
tion laws and against the right of Congress
to deprive the Executive of that separate
and independent discretion ana Judgment
which the Constitution confers and requires,
are equally cogcnt in opposition to this bill.
! THIS measure leaves the powers and duties
of the supervisors of elections untouched.
The compensation of those officers is pro-
vided TOR under permanent laws, and no
liability for which an appropriation is now
required would therefore be incurred by
their appointment. But the power of the
national government to protect them in the
discharge of their duty at the polls would
be taken away The S tate may employ both
civil and military power at the elections,
I uul " inns ohi even tne CNH dulHOIity W
I protect the Congressional elections is denied
TO the United States. The object is TO pre-
vent any adequate control by the United
| States over the national elections by forbid
ding the payment of deputy marshals, the
officers who are clothed with authority to
enforce the election laws.
The fact that these laws are deemed OBJ
/ jectionable by majority of both Houses Of
Congress is urged as a sufficient warrant for
this legislation. There are two lawful ways
to overturn legislative enactments-one is
their repeal the other is the decision of a
competent tribunal against their validity.
THE EFFECT OF THE BILL.
Tie effect of the bill Is to deprive the Ex-
ecutive Department Of the government oi
the means to execute laws which have moi
been repealed, which have not been de-
clared invalid, and which it is therefore the
duty of the Executive and of every Other
department of the government to obey and
TO enforce.
have in my former message on this sub
ject expressed willingness TO concur in
suitable amendments for the Improvement
of the election laws, but cannot consent to
this absolute and entire repeal. and cannot
approve legislation which seeks to preven;
their enforcement
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, June %, 1879.