Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/185

 RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES 151 between the United States and other nations, or if the rights of sovereignty or property of other nations, stand in the way of this policy a contin gency which is not apprehended suitable steps should be taken by just and liberal negotiations to promote and establish the American policy on this subject, consistently with the rights of the nations to be affected by it. An interoceanic canal across the American isthmus will be the great ocean thor oughfare between our Atlantic and our Pacific shores, and virtually a part of the coast-line of the United States. No other great power would, under similar circumstances, fail to assert a rightful con trol over a work so closely and vitally affecting its interest and welfare.&quot; Congress passed a deficiency appropriation bill, which contained pro visions materially changing, and, by implication, repealing, certain important parts of the election laws. President Hayes, on May 4, 1880, returned the bill with his veto, whereupon congress made the appropriation without re-enacting the obnox ious clauses. In November, 1880, was held the election that put James A. Garfield into the presidential chair and proved conclusively that the Republican party had gained largely in the confidence of the public during the Hayes administration. In his last an nual message, December 6, 1880, President Hayes again mentioned the occurrence of election dis-