The supervision of the elections will be reduced to a mere inspection, without authority on the part of the supervisors to do any act whatever to make the election a fair one.

The framers of the Constitution regarded the election of members of Congress in every State and in every district as in a very important sense justly a matter of political interest and concern to the whole country.

I respectfully refer to that message for a statement of my views on the principle maintained in debate by the advocates of this bill.

The true meaning and effect of the proposed legislation are plain.

The United States election laws are not necessary, an ample reply is furnished by the history of their origin and of their results.

The great body of the people of all parties want free and fair elections.

The constitutional authority to regulate the Congressional elections which belongs to the Government of the United States, ought to be enforced by appropriate legislation.

It is confidently believed that no sound argument can be made in support of the constitutionality of national regulation of Senatorial elections.

If the bill contained no other provisions, no objection to its approval would be made.

I am directed by the President to say that the several Departments of the Government will be closed on Friday, the 30th instant, in remembrance of those who fell in defense of the nation, and to enable the employees to participate in the…

In response to a resolution of the Senate of the 14th instant, I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior and accompanying papers.

In response to a resolution of the Senate of the 7th instant, requesting information in reference to an alleged occupation of a portion of the Indian Territory by white settlers, etc., I transmit herewith a copy of my proclamation dated…

The elections should be free from all forcible interference, and, as far as practicable, from all apprehensions of such interference.

No soldiers, either of the Union or of the State militia, should be present at the polls to take the place or to perform the duties of the ordinary civil police force.

The true rule as to the employment of military force at the elections is not doubtful.

There has been and will be no violation of this rule under orders from me during this Administration.

Holding, as I 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.

It is the right and duty of the National Government to enact and enforce laws which will secure free and fair Congressional elections.