Year: 1879




WASHINGTON, April Reconsideration was
resumed of the army appropriation bill and
Senator Bayard defended the incorporation of
general legislation in appropriation bills, there
being nothing unusual in it. The cry of revo-
luton was unsubstantiated and foolish, and
the people would condemn it.
Senator Bayard having noticed the remark of
Senator Blaine about the distribution of the
army, Senator Blaine asked the Senator to quote
his words.


Senator Bayard said he would do SO, but
would first have to send for the Congressional
Record.


Senator Blaine remarked that what he said
| was this: 'That not a Senator of the other
side of the chamber had ever seen a United
| States soldier at the polls"


| Senator Bayard replied that if the Senator
preferred to limit his remarks to the actual
vision of Senators, he had nothing to say.


Senator Blaine said his confidence in that
statement had not been disturbed by any re-
narks which had been made on the other
side.


Senator Bayard then proceeded to read cir
cumstantial account of the large presence of
troops in New York in the fall Of 1870, to be
present at the polls to prevent disorder.


Senator Blaine wished to ask a question. It
was why the Senator did not select a prece-
dent, found in 1857 when President Buchanan
called out the marines to attend Washington
municipal election, and when seven men were
| shot down by them, the scene being within
mile of the Senate chamber.
Senator Bayard said he would discuss that
question at some future time, and continued,
any party or set of men in this country who
seek to remove infringements on the liberties
of the American people should have his sup
port at all times. He held that the


EMPLOYMENT OF ARMIES


at the polls simply atrocions, and during
war was claimed as belligerent right.


Mr.. Bayard, at some length, condemned all
| conduct which would tend to prevent the
restoration of full confidence and friendship to
all parts of the country. He was we'll assured
that the hostility of one section against the
other would speedily lead to depression and
degradation and ultimately to the ruin of both,
and in conclusion he expressed his confidence
| that the American people would support the
| majority in their present legislation, as it was
in the direction of justice and had for its OBJ
ject the protection of the liberties of the peo-
pie.


SENATOR MAxEY


said it was plain that the constitution did not
confer upon the United States government au-
thority to regulate elections therefore it could
not be unconstitutional to repeal or modify
the act allowing such action. In conclusion,
| Maxey alluded to the former remark of Senator
| Blaine that thirty of the Southern Democratic
| Senators had taken part in the civil war, but
he, Maxey, would ask, Did they not attend to
their duties and were they not as mindful of
| the public interests and as decorous in their
intercourse as Senators from any other part of
the Union? Their crime consisted in their
inability to see with tho eyes of others
They would, however, follow their own
convictions of right, not thinking whom
they will please or displease by doing so. By
rights, under the constitution, they were enti-
tied to seats on this floor, and the Senator from
Maine might rest content that they would as,
sert the equal rights of their States with Others
of the Union. They do not attempt tn stir ul
| the embers of the past because they believed ir
the reconciliation and the restoration of genu
inc brotherhood among the people of
common destiny and country. The Sena
| tor from Maine also referred to the name of the
| MARTYRED PRESIDENT


in connection with this legislation. They al
accorded to Lincoln fairness of thought ano
fearlessness of action. In his last Inaugural
| address he declared with malace toward none
and with charity for all,' etc. The South act
ed as they saw right, and accorded to the Nortt
! the same degree of honesty. The revival o.
the strife and contention of the past would d,
no good, but much harm. He would rathe
| aid in building up the waste places occasionec
by the war, and securing prosperity in all it,
parts.


! After an executive session, adjourned