Year: 1879

Washington, May 12-The following is the
message of the President Of the United States, re-
turning to the House of Representativ the bill
entitled San act to prohibit military interference
at elections:"


To the House of Representatives;


After careful consideration of the bill entitled
IAN act 10 prohibit military interference at cleo
tions," return 1t tn the House Of Representa-
tives IN which 1t originated, with the following
objections to its approval


In communication sent to the House of Rep.
resentatives on the goth of last mouth returning
to the House without my approval, the bill en-
titled "An act making appropriations for the sup
port of the army for the fiscal year ending June
80 1880 and for other purposes" endeaVOred to
show by quotations from the statutes OF the
United States now in force, and by brief state
menL of the facts in regard to the recent cleo
tions in several States that no additional legisla
tion was necessary to prevent interference with
elections by the military or naval forces OF the
United States,


The fact was presented in that communication
that at the time Of tue passage Of the act of June
Is. 1878, in relation to the employment Of the
army as posse c0mttdtuS, or Otherwise, 1t was
maintained by its friends that 1t would establish
a vital and fundamental principle which would
secure to the people protection against standing
army. The fact was also referred to, that since
the passage of this act Congressional, State and
municipal elections have been held throughout
Inc Union, and that In no instance has com.
plant been made OF the presence of United States
soldiers at the pools.


Holding, as do, the opinion that any military
interference whatever at the polls is contrary to
the spirit OF our institutions and would tend to
DESTROY the freedom Of elections, and sincerely
desiring to concur with Congress with all of its
measures II is with very great regret that am
forced to the C0Hclusion that the bill before me
is not only unnecessary to prevent such interfer
ence but is u dangerous departure from the long
settled and important constitutional principles
The true rule as to the employment OF military
force at elections is not doubtful. No intimida-
ton or coercion should be allowed 10 control or
influence citizens in the exercise of their right to
vote. whether II appears In the shape OF COmbi
nations of evil disposed persons or Of armed
bodies Of the military of State or Cf the military
force OF the United States. The elections should
be free from all fOrcible interference aud, as far
as practicable from al apprehension OF such in.
reference. No soldiers, either of the Union or Of
State militia, should be present at the polls TO
take place or 10 perform the duties Of an Ordina-
ry civil police force There has been aud will
be- no violation OF this rule under orders from me
during this Administration. But there should be
no denial OF the right Of the National Govern
ment to employ Its military force on any day and
at any place, in case such employment is neces-
sary TO enforce the Constitution and laws Of the
United States.


Fhe biii before me Is as follows:


"Be 1t enacted, &c, That 1t shall not be lawful
to bring or to employ at any place where a gen.
ersl or special election Ia being held In r SGtte
any part OF the army or navy Of the United
states unless such force shall be necessary to re-
pei armed enemies Of the UnitedStates, or to en-.
force section s. article Of the Consultation Of the
United State, and laws made in pursuance
thereof, on application of the Legislature or Ex'
ecutiVe Of the Slate where sucn force is to be
used, and so much OF all laws as is consistent
herewith is hereby repealed"


ARGUMENTS ADVANCED To SUPPORT HIS POSITION


1t will be observed that the bill exempts from
general prohibition against the employment of
the military forces at the pools two specified
cases. These exceptions recognize and concede
the sounduess OF the principle that military force
may properly and cOnstitutionally be used at
place Of election, when such use is necessary TO
enforce the Constitution and laws But the ex-
cepted cases leave the prohibition so extensive
and far reaching, that It's adoption will seriously
impair the efficiency Of the Executive Depart
ment of the Government The lrss act expressly
the use Of the military power to exc
cute The laws, was passed almost as early as the
Of the Government under the Con.