The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-06

Acting Attorney General Aldrich
Talks About the Deputles.

Acting Attorney General Aldrich
Talks About the Deputies.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-Acting Attorney
General Aldrich was besieged by newspaper
men to-day for information in regard to the
policy of the administration on every pos
sible election controversy. He said to one
and all that the policy OF the departments
had already been clearly defined and could
not possibly be misunderstood by any in-
telligent citizen.
He was asked "Do you anticipate trouble
between the state and federal authoritiesP'
"No, do not anticipate any trouble what
ever" he answered, relying as / do ON the
patriotism and good sense Of the people,"
''Have you considered the possible use of
troops In protecting law otficersp
mo, we have not. The possibility Of the
necessity for using troops has not been for q
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 / construe
Gov. Flowers proclamation as in any way
conflicting with the views Of this depars-
ment In its position that in an election like
the one on hand the federal laws are
paramount where there Is any conflict
with the state laws. Ii seems clear TO me
that the election may be conducted peace
ably in all the states and that no confiics
buOliu OCCAE DbbWGon buS l5AEEUl anu HEtLe
authorities anywhere. / 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. IL am quoted in this matter | de-
sire to emphasize the position OF the depart
ment az heretofore stated-that the United
States marshals and their deputies are nob
partsans and are not to make any discrfmi-
nation between the parties in the perform
aDce of their duty
Mr. Aldrich was asked il he had not seen
the President during the morning. de adj
misted tnat he had, but wanted 1t distinctly
understood that mis- visit had no political
signihoance whatever.
Assistant Secretary of War Grant iefh
Washington this afternoon for his home In
Minneapolis. As Secretary Elkins is also
absent from the city. Maj. Gen. Schofield,
who Is In command OF the United States
army, became also acting secretary Of war.
This function devolved upon him by desig-
nation Of the President made early in the
administration in conformity with the usual
practice, which Is intended 10 guard against
vacancy in the head % the department.
during the absence of the secretary and
assistant secretary. Gen. Schofleld has fire.
quently served in the capacity OF acting
secretary of war during this aud the
preceding administration. Ae was
asked this afternoon whether he antici-
pated any call for troops on election day or
had made any preparations for their use,
he said that he was acting i'll an official
capacity and had no opinions to express
The law relative to the use OF troops was
embodied in the statutes, had been ex-
pounded in opinions OF the Attorney Gem
eral, was well known to lawyers, and was
within easy access of all ''You can say .
added the general, ''that there has been no
intimation from any official source that
troops should be used. No precautions have
been made for such use, aud there has been
no suggestion or intimation that such prep
arations should be made.n