Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-11-21
The Governors Proclamation, and
Presidential Election.

We have been amused at the remarks of
some of the Douglas organs in Ohio on the
subject of the G~cvcrn.r's Proclamation
relative to the Presidential election. 1t is
gravely contended 10y some of them that
the entire vote Of Chic must be thrown
away beclssc the proclamation was not
issued sixty days before the election -
This prepostero US idea supposed that a
Governor. either by neglect or refusal to
act. has the power to deprive the people of
L State of all their rights in a Presidential
election. Nothihg is further from the
Truth. Let US LOOK into this subject for
afew moments.
irior to 1916. each State. by its own
laws. fixed the time when they would vote
for electors for President and vie Presi-
dent In 0kio. the laS of Feb l. 1920,
provided that the Pre- ihential election
should be on TIE fifth Frid y preceding
tie first Wednesday IN December. 1t also
provided that the Governor should give
so days previous notice. by proclamation.
to be inserted in one of the newspapers in
each county IN tie State.
In lS+E. Congress g. seeing the evils aris-
ing from holding the elections at different
periods in different States. passed Il law
that the Presidential Election should be
uniform all over tie Union, and fixing the
THesdoy vert after the first UonGay ot
N render as the day for voting in all the
States. This substantially repealed all
the State laws on the subject. It fixed
the time and placed it beyond the power
of any of the States TO vary or ~chaHgeit in
any respect. The only legislation that
was proper land that was not necessary
was to change their laws to conform Il the
laws of Congress. This Law of Congress
merely fixed the day. without providing
for any notice. Cur statute had been per.
mitted to stand. except the change of the
time. IN 1913. the Governor Of Ohio
made no prociumdtioR aohaterer We
suppose he regarded the law of Conarcss
as a virtual repeal of that requirement -
10 1852. the election of President came OF
the Cd day of November. Gov. Wood IS
sued his proclamation on the 9th Septem
Der. being 81 days before the election
In 1856. Gov. Chase issued his Jroclama-
ton on the 20 day of September, making
IS days notice.
Gov. Depnisoa considering, as we sup
pose. the law of Congress as substantially
dispensing with the necessity of 4 notice
vet in Difference to the practice Of his i'm
mediate predecessor published his procla
nation on the 18th day of September. he
ing 81 days before the election. thus givin:
longer notice than his immediate p~releces
sors. Such arc the laws regulating this sub
iect. and such has been the practice un1e-
them. If any proclamation were needed
it should he issued by the President OF th,
United States, as the Governor is not til
proper person to proclaim the laws of Con
gross. No one has regarded the prOclama
ton as in any respect essential to the val
idity of the election. Courts have uni
formily decided that the want of notice fo
the election of County Oficers. g.. b,
Shcrifs. did not render their election 4 nul.
( lity. The law fixes the time and mamie,
of their election and 1t was never the in
tention to give Sheriffs or Governors tn,
power to disfranchiSe Counties or State.
by either a neglect, or a refusal to issu'
their proclamations. In this case tn,
time being fixed by Congress. the people
have their rights without any regard t.
State laws. or the acts of State Off .ials-
We trust this plain statement will quic
the sensitive nerves OF our Democrat,
friends. The twcnty-three Electoral Vote.
of Ohio will be counted for Lincoln jus. AZ
they were for Cass and Pierce, and Fri.
MONTH. s. JurnaL