The union Democrat., 1869-01-16
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Amen d emit to the ConstitutfoM

On the c9th ultmo, Mr.. Crearv. of Ken
lucky. introduced into the United States SEN
ate IA joint resolution amendatorv Of the Con-
sttution of the United States. The proposed
amendment nrovides that the Legislature of
each State shall divide the State into as many
districts as it is entitled to members of Con-
gress, nearas as may be ofequal limits of popu-
la ton and of coterm'nous territory not exceed.
ing three times the average BREADTH Upon the
failing of any State to make such division,
Congress shall perform that duty. From
each OF the districts the qualified voters shall
6ienniaUy elect a representative and quadren-
niallv an elector for President and Vice-Pres-
ident, except that, when State has not more
than two representatives the whole State shall
he an electoral district. ard its qualified vo-
ters shall elect all its electors. The electors
OF all States entitled to more than two repre-
| sentatives, when met To give their votes, shall
appoint two additional electors for that State.
The Legislature of each State shall DESIGNATE
| q board from its officers for receiving and de-
Gliding upon the returns in the election of cleo
| tors also to decide contested election, with
| power to order Il new election and to deter
mine a tie vnte By lot. Upon the failure of
any State to provide such a Beard, Congress
shall perform that duty. The election of
| electors shall be held in everv State on the
| irst Tuesday in OctC bpr next preceding tine
end of every four-year Presidential term. and
the electors then chosen sha all hold their off,
ces until the election of electors four wears
thereafter. When no candidate receives n
majority of the votes given in any election for
President or Vice-President, the Speaker of
the House of Representatives shall. under
| the direction If the House. Immediately nro-
claim the fact. and appoint a time, between
thirty ar d forty days. for the reassem bling of
the electors in their respective States, and vot-
ing for President or e-Presdent. or both.
IT the occasion require, from among the three
who received the largest number of votes at
the previous election. Ii again no one re-
ceives a majority of the votes given the cleo
ton shall in like manner be referred TO the
| electors to decide which of the two so receiv-
| ing the largest number OF votes shall have
the Office. Should there be tie vote at any
voting by the electors. it shall be decided
when necessary, by lot. in the presence of the
| House. under the supervision of the President
of the Senate, tie Speaker of the House of
Representatives the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court, or such of them as are not
either of the contesting candidates. Congress
shall meet on the second Monday of Novem-
Der, next preceding the expiring of any Pres
idential term. or on the fifth Monday next
succeeding any special Presidential election,
and within the first three weeks Of its session
act on the returns of the votes of the electors
Upon everv vacancv in the office of President
and Nice-President. when there remains more
than two years nf the then unexpired term.
the officer performing the duties of the Pres
'dentlai Office shall Immediately appoint a
V IL.
forty days thereafter. for the assembling of
the electors in the different States. The cleo
tors 81 met shall vote for President and Vice
President to fill those Offices for the residue of
the term. Upon the failure nf such effcer to
order the special election it shall be ordered
| by the Chief Justice. or. in his absence. the
senior Justice Of the Supreme Cou {.