Year: 1879

interfere with the election Of Senators of the United


Senator B.YAnD-Practically they can and do most
dangerously in this way:-The same clause of the
constitution that gives 10 Congress revising power
of holding elections is precisely the same in relation
the election OF Senators IL IL to Representatives
in Congress excepting tha' the OF tne eaec
But as Congress may fix the place and time. as
we'll the "manner of holding elections for Repre-
sentatves, Congress may appoint the very time
and place" which the State has indicated for the
election of her Legislature and in that way compel
the presence or inarshas and supervisors at the
place and time of electing members of
the State Legislature. / do not see how
the State can, escape 1t Is also plain
marshals at the polls where Representatives in Con-
gress elected Congress has equal power, for it
to put deputy marshal at the elbow OF each men,
ber of State Legislature during the election OF
the Legislature. The exercise of such power is
just fatal and not more fatal to the rights OF the
State in one case in the other and its claim by
Congress is just allowable i'll one case as in the
other. The whole design or local self-government
is overthrown il such powers in Congress are ad-
mitted to exist and are exercised. this plainly
in 1871 and only sec 1t more plainly now. 1t is
just as important for the United States to secure
honest elections of State legislators of members
of Congress- for the State Legislators choose United
States Senators.


- REPotTEn-Does the repeal OF these sections re-
lating to supervisors and deputy marshals, as pro-
posed by the late House of Representatives, Interfere
with the punishment or frauds committed ut eiec-
tionsY


Senator BAYAnp-No. The proposed repeal would
simply remove federal supervisors and United States
marshals from control of the conduct of elections in
the States but would not exonerate any dishonest
voter or official from the consequence of his offence
now defined by law.


REPoRTER-Do you think that the President will
refuse his approval Of these reforms?


Senator BAYARD-I cannot believe that he would
feei warranted in such action. There can be no
ceivable constitutional scrupe alleged for refusing
his assent thereto. and there is abundant and
plain constitutional reason why he should
join in giving effect to measures which
both houses of Congress. truly and con-
fessedly representing the majority of the Ameri-
can people, have deliberately presented to him
essential to the peace and welfare OF the whole
try There would certainly be very heavy rcspon-
sbilty upon him and his conscience, involving con-
sequences which do not to contemplate should
he set his individual opinion and party inclinations
against the earnest convictions and deliberate ex
pressions of House of Representatives fresh from
the people, and Senate charged with upholding the
rights Of the several States.


REponTER-As fur you know are the opinions
which you have expressed entertained by the demo-
cratic Senators and Representatives who will meet at
the extra session?


Senator BAYAnD-I believe they are to a man Armly
united in respect to the righteousness and necessity
Of tho measures to which have referred.