St. Paul daily globe., 1892-11-06

United States authorities are regarded
as most likely to occur on election day,
would thus be addressed to Gen. Scho-
field, as acting commander OF the de-
partment OF the East.
1t further sets forth in the circular
the condition of things that Gen. Scho-
field, as the acting commander OF the
Department Of the East, might take on
requisition of the United States marshal
of New York, Alabama or Arkansas for
force of United States troops to act as
posse to keep the peace at the pollsp
and come before him as commanding
general of the army for enforcements
as acting secretary of war for approval!
1t therefore seems probable that unless
the president by some other designation
(Which is quite unlikely should change
this order of affairs, that the action OF
the military authorities would be quite
unanimous on election day.
Use of Troops. e.
Acting Secretary of War Grant was
asked yesterday il any consideration
had yet been given to the employment
of United States troops at the polls IN
case OF conflict between federal ana
state authorities. '
No" said he, sit has not appeared
necessary, as yet, to consider the ques-
tion." sih
suppose Lieut.. Gov. Sheehan, of
New York, carries out his plan OF OPP
posing the federal marShals, Will hie
federal authorities take any steps to up
hold the marshals?"
II do not think Mr. Sheehan will go
that far. [ credit him with being too
wise to put into practice any force blll
opposition to the federai authorities"
"IS there any law by which the war
department could employ troops at the
polls in case of emergency"
The law provides that the federal
officers are to be sustained in executing
their duties"
This was as far as Gen. Grant would
go.
Gen. Schofied. who is probably the
best posted authority on the use OF
troops at the polls that there is in the
country, when asked to what extent
the present law authorized the use ol
the militia at the polls, replied:
II do not know what the law is; but
if question arose which called for an
Interpretation of the law, | would know
what it was in five minutes"
Caused Many Inquiries.
Gov. Flowers proclamation in New
York state and adviceS frCm Arkansas
and Alabama as TO the action OF state
authorities in election matters caused
numerous inquiries to be made with the
war department, the White house and
the department of justice as to the
probable action of the federal officials
in the event of conflict of jurisdiction.
Acting Attorney General Aldrlch was
in consultation vita the president for
quite a time this morning, and conSe-
quenty could hot be seen by outsiders.
When he was reached at last he was
asked if he anticipated any trouble be-
tween the United States and state
authorities. He replied:
mo, do not anticipate any trouble
whatever, relying as do on the patriot
ism and good sense OF the people"
Have you considered the possible
use of troops in protecting law OF
cers?' =,
mo, we have not. The possibility
of the necessity for using troops has not
been for a moment contemplated. AS
have already said, the marShals are
peace officers and
Are Carefully Instructed
not to incite or invite violence Of any
kind. Nor do c0n5true Gov. Flowers
proclamation as in any way conflicting
with the views of this department IN
its position that in an election like the
one at hand the federal laws are paris
mount, where there is any conflict with
the StaUe laws. 1t seems clear TO ME
that the election may be conducted
peaceably in all the states, and that Iao
conflict should occur between federal
and state authorities anywhere. IL
am sure that such will be
the result everywhere if the same
forbearance is practiced by the state au-
thorities as has been enjoined on the
federal officers. Ii | am quoted in this
matter, | desire to emphasize the posi-
ton of the department. as heretofore
stated, that the United States marshals