The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-10-24
SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENCE

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. =, 1868.
The daily Bulletin of September Dist, (weekly OF
the 26th,) publishes a leading editorial favoring the
idea of the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, and
commenting upon a well-prepared argument agains,
Reciprocity, which appears in the same issue. The
latter is understood to have been written by q resi-
dent of Honolulu, was sent to Washington for the
consideration of the Congressman of the country,
among whom it has been extensively circulated. i
have heard but one name rumored in connection
with its authorship. Probably your readers will dis
cover ~posiiirefy who the person is; so 1 refrain from
speculation. The article abounds in sharp hits, and
will doubtless cause a 1utter in your community, If
it is already well known there. There is very little
doubt that a sentiment favorable to annexation Is
gaining ground here and throughout this country
but no one wishes it to be done forcibly, or in any
other way than by a voluntary cession of the group
by its chiefs, for n consideration, for their own pecu-
mary good and that of the native race. Whenever
they are ready for a proposal, they will no doubt be
met in a liberal spirit, and with a generous offer.
How Grant will be Elected.
The different party papers have published numer-
Gus speculations upon the probable result of the ap-
preaching election. In considering this subject, a
brief review of the formula by which Presidents are
chosen, may not be uninteresting. 1t must be I'M
derstood that the status of each State is decided by
the State itself, independent of the action of any
other section of the Union. The different parties
present the names of their standard-bearers, and
also 'Presdential Electors who are pledged to
their support. The number of Electors is regulated
by the population, one being allowed for each senstor
and member OF Congress. A majority of votes cast
in any State for either Presidential candidate tit
matters not how small it may be) will give to the
candidate thus favored the entire electoral uotc of the
State. After the election returns are officially an
nounced, the Electors upon the successful ticket,
transmit full returns to the Vice President of the
nation, thus recording the electoral votes of their
State for their champion. These votes are counted
before the Senators and Representatives in joint con-
vention assembled. The candidate receiving a ma
iority is declared elected. Should no choice appear,
upon the House of Representatives devolves the duty
of eleoting a President and Vice President This ex-
igency can only be expected when three or more can
didates are in the field.
One curious feature appears: 1t is not always
necessary to have a majority of votes, counting the
entire population of the country in one mass, to Sc
cure an election. For instance, Mr.. Lincoln had
ten votes against McClellan's one in the Elec-
toral college, and his majority of the popular vote
was 40O,O 0O-yet 10000 votes properly distributed
would have altered the political standing of a sufh-
cient number of States to give General Mcclellan
electoral votes enough to make him President Sup
pose we take New York the most ~populous State of
the Union-with two Senators, thirty-one Represent
atives, and fhirty-three Electors. Mr.. Lincoln's ma
jority was about 1000. You will notice that eight
thousand votes added to the Democratic ticket would
have given the entire electoral vote to Mcclellan.
The fall elections in Pennsylvania, Indiana and
Ohio, which are awaited with intense interest and
will do much towards determining the
result. Al present the following speculation upon
the electoral vote appears reasonable: