Year: 1879

be constitutionally regulated by national au.
thority.


The bill before me itself recognizes the
not State elections but national elections. 1t
leaves in full force


THE EXISTING STATUTE
under which supervisors are still to be ap-
pointed by national authority to "observe
and witness' Congressional elections when
ever due application is made by citizens who
desire sail ELECTIONS to be guarded and
any respect whatever, the Congressional
elections exist under Section 4, Article /, of
the Constitution, 1t Is a power which like ev-
cry other power belonging to the


GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
is paramount and supreme, and includes the
right to employ the necessary means to carry


The statutes of the United States which
regulate the election of members of the
House OF Representatives., an Essential part
BEEN m
Congressional elections have been held un-
der them, two of which were at the Pres1den-
tial elections OF 1879 and 1875.


NUMEROUS PROSECUTIONS,
trials and convictions have been held in
courts of the United States in all parts of the
Union for violations of these laws In no re-
ported case mas their consti.usionaiity on III. Deen
of the United states. The validity of these
laws is sustained by uniform course of ju-
H. u
the United States election laws are not neces-
sary an ample reply is furnished by the his
were especially prompted by the investiga.
ton and exposure of frauds committed in the
city and State OF New York ut the elections
of 1878.


Committees representing both of the lead
ing political parties of the country have SUBJ
mitted reports to the House of Represent
atives on the


EXTENT OF THOSE FRAUDS.
committee of the 40th Congress after full
investigation reaches the conclusion that the
New York alone in '6s was not less than 49,
000. committee of the 44th Congress in
their report submitted in q adopted ao. the
voters of the city of New York in 1868 one
hundred and eight votes were cast, when. in
fact, the number of lawful votes cast could
not have exceeded eighty eight per cent. of
the actual votes of the city.


BY this statement the number OF fraudulent
votes at that election in the city OF New York
alone was between thirty and forty thousand.
These frauds completely


REVERSED THE RESULT
of the election in the State of New York both
as TO the choice of Governor and State OF.
ficers and as to the choice of electors of the
President and Vice President OF the United
whole country. It was plain that If they could
be continued and repeated with tmpunity,
tihguished Senator, in opposing the passage
OF the election laws, declared he had for
long time believed that our form OF Govern
W
Even the opponents OF these laws nave
borne testimony TO their


VALUE AND EFFICIENCY,
and to the necesSity for their enactment.
members a majority of whom were opposed
to these laws, IN their report on the New
York election of '7s, said: The committee
would commend to other portions of the
country and tn other cities this remarkable
system developed through the agency OF both
local and Federal authorities, acting In har-
,Vt<,, low N
OF the world and in no era of time.
where there has been an express
forms of law. Has there been q more COM
plete and thorough illustration of republican
sbs fe e
those cities, or howsoever they may conduct
themselves in iuture. this election of 1875 will
honest endeavor, legal forms and just au-
thority may do for the protection OF the elec-
toral franchise. This bill recognizes the au-
thority and duty of the United States to ap-
point supervisors to guard and scrutfnfze
Congressional elections, but 1t


DENIES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED


STATES


all power to make its supervision effectual.
The great body of the people of all parties
want free and fair elections. They do not
think that q free election means freedom
from wholesome restraint of law or that the
place of an election should be the sanctuary
for lawlessness and crime. On the day OF an
essary than on any other day of the year. On
that dav the humblest and feeblest citizens.
the aged and infirm. should be and should
have reason to feel that they are safe in the
exercise Of their most responsible duty and
their


as members of the society. their duty and
right to VOTE The constitutional authority
to regulate Congressional elections which
belongs to the Government of the United
States, and which 1t Is necessary 70 exert 70
secure the right to vote to every citizen pos
sessing the requisite qualifications, ought TO
be enforced by appropriate legislation: 80
far from public opinion In any part OF the
country favoring any relaxation OF the au-
thority of the Government in the protection
of elections from violence and corruption


The trainers of these laws have not been
under their provisions, the elections nave
been comparatively peaceful.


i believe 1t demands greater vigor poth IN
the enactment and exaction OF laws framed
for that purpose. Any opposition, any part1
san partiality which experience may have
shown in the working of the existing laws
may well engage the careful attention both Of
Congress and the Executive, in their respect
i've spheres of duty, for the


CORRECTION OF THESE MIscHIEFs
a.. no Congressional elections occur untli at
ter the regular session of Congress Will nave
gency that would preclude seasonaole con-
sideration at that session of any administra-
ton details that might improve tne pressen,II s a,I
citizens in the complete and equal exercise
of the right and power OF suffrage at snch
elections, but with my views botn OF tne con-
laws


CAN NOT APPROVE


any measure for this repeal except in con-
nection with the enactment OF other leg1sia-
afford wiser and more efficient safeguards for
free and honest Congressional elections.


Isignedl RUTHERFoRD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, May %, 1873.