The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-18
COLUMBIA, IS. 9IC.
Sunday Morning. January Is, 1874.

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Sunday Morning. January Is, 1874:
The rrssissss5nis sss5n Il T=r.s= Over = Nsw Esa..
In an article Of the Constitution of
the State Of Texas tits provided that
"all elections for State, District and
County officers shall be held at the
County. seats OF the several Counties
until otherwise provided by law, and
the polls shall be opened for four days,
from 8 o'clock A. NJ. until O'Clock P.
M. OF each day" The Legislature. at
its session in Janusry, 1873, passed an
election law, which changed the places
where they were to be held back to the
old precinct system, and reduced the
time from four days to one day. It is
made q question whether the clause in
the Constitution. "until otherwise pro.
vided by law" Gan be fairly interpreted
to justify change in the time within
which elections are to be held, as we'll
rs to the places whsre they are to be
held. The new law expressly repealed
the old law, and there is no doubt of its
oonstitutionaIity in this respect. There
is, therefore. no election Law in exist
enoe but that passed in January, 1873.
It was aoquiesced in by ell parties in
the State, and the Governor {Davis) ap-
proved OF it without murmur. The
general elections were held under it last
December. and resulted, by $4,000 ma
jori:y. in favor Of the Conservatives.
Davis suddenly saw new light, The
election law was branded with being un-
constitutional, and fictitious case was
made up TO test tho question in The
Texas Supreme Court. The court. Of
course, ruled against the law, and has
attempted to set aside the results CT the
recent election. It is thus attempted,
by legal machinery, to defeat the clearly
expressed Judgment Of the people at
the polls, and to continue in Office, for
another two years, those who have
failed TO command the suffrages of the
people.
Taking q hint from the action of the
President and the Attorney. General, in
the similar case of Louisiana, Davis,
few days ago. telegraphed to the Presi-
dent, asking the use Of troops to pre-
vent apprehended violence. The Pre-
sident replied that the call could not be
granted, and intimated, further, that,
as he Davis mad approved the election
law, and both parties had made nomina-
tions, and conducted political canvass
under its provisions. it would be only
prudent and right to yield to the verdict
OF the people. 1t appears that Davis
has seen fit to disregard this wholesome
advice, and has issued proclamation,
forbidding those who have been elected
as legislators or for other Offices to
assume. the positions they claim. Not.
withstandinR, the House and Senate
met in joint session on Wednesday last.
and. upon count of tho vote. declared
Coke elected Governor, and Hubbard
Lieutenant-G Governor. The oath of
Office was duly administered, and the
Governor delivered his inaugural ad.
dress. Davis had his men armed with
muskets and bayonets fixed, standing at
the base of the capitol, to prevent in
gress and egress OF members. The
United States Marshal telegraphed to
Washington that conflict seems in
evitable. In reply, the Attorney Gene
raj limits him 10 tho exercise of &
merely moral influence. Davis again
asks for military assistance. but in reply
it is stated that "the policy of the Go
vernment. in this regard. has not
changed since the telegram OF President
Grant to Davis a few days ago." These
facts no hnve thought it neoossary and
proper to present in their order.
We have not usually taken favorable
view Of the public conduct of President
Grant. He has appeared to us to be
arbitrary in his appointments and gone
ral policy. BE has been too prone to
indulge the predictions of the oliques
about him. But we know that he has
generous impulses, from his conduct at
Appomattox. We know that, when un.
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