Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/174

140 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS evidence, and alleging that the famous "cipher despatches" sent to the south by friends of Mr. Tilden showed "that the charges of corruption were but the slanders of foiled suborners of corruption." The investigation led to no further action, the peo ple acquiescing in the decision of the electoral com mission, and the counting of the electoral vote by congress based thereon, as irreversible. President Hayes was again obliged to resort to the employment of force by the outbreak of serious disturbances caused by bands of desperadoes in the territory of New Mexico, which amounted to or ganized resistance to the enforcement of the laws. He issued on October 7, 1878, a proclamation sub stantially putting the disturbed portion of New Mexico under martial law, and directing the U. S. forces stationed there to restore and maintain peace and order, which was speedily accomplished. In his message of December 2, 1878, President Hayes found himself obliged to say that in Louis iana and South Carolina, and in some districts out side of those states, "the records of the recent [congressional] elections compelled the conclusion that the rights of the colored voters had been over ridden, and their participation in the elections not been permitted to be either general or free." He added that, while it would be for congress to ex amine into the validity of the claims of members to their seats, it became the duty of the executive and