New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-17
RECONSTRUCTION.
ALABAMA-GOv. SMITHS VETO OF THE ELLC'
TORAL COLLEGE BILL.
I,NrcrrIvF DIP ARrMEsr- RrArP nF AlARAMA.l

yded that leach State shall appoint in such manner as
the Legislature thereof may direct number of electors
equal the whole number of Senators and Representa-
tives to which the State may be entitled IN the Congress
Thus IL that the Legislature OF the stare mas me
undoubted constitutional power to choose the rresuen
ta Electors But the Constitution OF this State requires
that every bin or resolution having the force or
law, 10 which the concurrence OF Doth HOUSES VI WIG
General Assembly may be necessary, except on
question OF adjournment, which shall nave passed1
both Houses shall be presented to tue noxen1I, arr
with his objections, to the House in which Il oglnaed
is devolved upon the Governor plain ana AT me
time imperative duty The Constitution man
datory in requiring him TO approve or dsappFoye ever
the duty thus imposed upon him. For several days have
been carefully and anxiousy considering the merits OF
act to repeal section 7 Of the Revised Code and for
other purposes" After the most mature reflection am
pie and that II would be dangerous precedent III Kt'
publican Government. AS my judgment does not ar
prove the BILL IL is my constitutional duty 10 rcturh u 20
the Senate with my objections To this Is unpeas
ant duty II / entertained any doubt I'm regard 20 the
the doubt TO the General Assembly and approve the
bil All republics are based upon the doctrine d..
Governments derive their just power from tue consent
OF the governed" No party IN this country has pr,
claimed this doctrine with such pertnacty orcontehden
earnestly for its adoption in Its fullest sense a me
The nIatfTn recently adopted 6y the Convention at
Cnicpgo which nominated Grant and Cofax TO uniyer.
This POSITION has been gradually assumed by Repaid
can party Of the nation at the earnest request OF South
UnOnsts upon the plea THAT was necessary TOT the
men should be allowed to vote In the effort
this right, conflict ensued between the Executive ana
Legislative Departments OF the National Government.
which has convused the country, and well nigh precpl
tated cival war Indeed the full extent ana ultimate
result OF that conflict cannot yet be foreseen. II
cannot hut be regarded as remarkable that the
first Republican Legislature convened in Alabams
should In the face of the principles OF It's organization
which every Republican processes 10 hold DEAR deny not
only 10 the coored but to the white man. the right by
his vote, indicate his choice for President and Vice
President the United States and take the matter In its
own hands WHAT excuse can there pe loTlI EltneIs
party expediencyf II so then II Is an abandonment OF
principles, acknowledgement that the material on,
Of which the kepaocah party Is c9np1seu Sannp1 ne
will do TO be trusted This action OF the General
Assembly will be recorded still more remarkable when
considered IN connection with what seems TO have been
the almost unanimous opinion Of the leading members
OF the Republican party OF Alabama IL was believed by
most Of them, and SO represented at washington tnat
large majority OF the voting population " the state were IN
favOrof the Constitution This was as much rs to say
that Republican party In large majority IN the
State for II is well known that none but Republicans
favored the CONSTITUTIONS and even some OF them oP
posed IT, II the party is strong has been sup
posed be- then the necessity OF party eKpedency does
in resortng to its AS desire the election Of
Grant and ColiaX am unwilling TO become party in
ma bssspcrs stand plcdaed before the country But i,
nav be sad that owing TO the excited temper Of the De.
mocratic party cannot have peaceable election and
that this merely resorted 10 in the interest OF
peace II this be So then It reco from the Issue
our part and tacit ackno wledgmeut that we are unable
o protect ourselves against the minority respectfully
submit that the Republicans party should be exposed
would result from this position. In Tn.
asked il il is not safe 10 have an election
cratic press and Democratic orators cease TO employ VIC
lent exciting and abusive language, It Is not at all proba
BILE that the time Will ever come when we can have
peaceful election and therefore, 10 be consistent,
should avoid all elections the future 1t may be con
tended, with some plauslbily' that II our polluca,
opponents had the power which we possess, they would
TO secure the eight electoral votes OF Alabama foi
Seymour and Blair But does the assumption that inc
Democrats II they had the power, would deprive the
people OF the right 70 vote nstiy us IN dong SOL II
II d that the old Secession party whose leaders are
prominent in the Democratic party now usurped IN 1850
81 power which belonged TO the people, for the purpose
OF secession and war and that now the RepuDhcan
tona right in the interests OF the Union ard peace
admit that this argument is not without some force
st. when examined carefully do not think 1t can be
regarded as sound the Object OF IT, conceivow
not peace The denial OF any right 10 people who
ion he source Of irritation well calculated to produce
violence. Every original Union man IN Alabama felt
ordinance secession did submit its action 10 vote
Of the people It held, and lastly held, as crime
never sought Justify their conduct other ground
than that OF expedency BY their action they showed
here Reference 10 them IS only made for the purpose OF
showing that the action Of political legislative bodies
based upon eNpediency alone must or later ope
rate innrousy to the party resorting TO 4 and tha
rally lead results far different from those designed &c
quence was the almost total ruin Of the Stare For these
reasons respectfully return the bill 10 tie Senate with
isigned WILLIAM II. SMITH, Governor.
Observation-Disclosures IN GOV. WARMOTn's
OFFICE-NEw SCHOOL LAWS.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 15.-Intiuentiai mem
bers OF both political parties met last night, IN Gov
Warmoth's ONCE. The Imminent danger OF collision
was conceded all hands. Democrat suggested that
and that the Governor should throw himself on the
people, who would sustain him. Gov. WarmOth replied
that the Republicans would do everything IN reason 70
secure harmony. Another nesting IS 10 be held In few
State OF Louisiana prepared under the supervision OF
Mcssr Parson and Conway, has been nadc me special
order the Legislature for next Friday section hrst
prOvdes that the schools shall be open 10 al children
bet ween six and twent-one years OF without dis
nctOn OF color or previous condition Inc Diu
provides Board OF Education, consist OF the Leu
tenant Governor and SIX persons appointed 10y tue GOV
ernor To be confirmed by the senate The state
Supernte alone is 20 be elected The directors Oi
the six general school districts into which the state Is IL
divided. 10 be appointed 10y the superintendent
peal an controversy or disputes arising under THIS law
il requires all teachers nculcatc loyalty 10 the Ma
tional Government and kindness 10 al men, regardessoi
race or color. OF chapter provides Tor the
years OF age without fixed employment, IN such school
or place as may be provided by the Board OF Education,
The peuse OF tie parents guardians; or ia case or
povertv nj the expense the scOolfuud, at thcdscrc
the poll provided for special tax OF one fourth
of per cent shall be levied all taxable property IN the
state Section Of tie concluding chapter the State
the right 70 interpret all doubtful proys-
ions OF his law The presen; State Superintendent is the
Rev Chaplain T. W. Conway the Trainer OF the bill.
CITY GOVERNMENT OF MONTGOMERY.
MONTGOMERY, Aug. 15.-The new Mayor OF
this city, appointed by the Governor was inaugnrited
to-day The city Council also met The police force -
half black and many OF the city officers are c0loed men
The old CITY Clerk and Treasurer were reelected
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