The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-01-15
i r. IT l1tli'F
TEXAS.

LV Id W UC ItS CtlSQ tudG tllt ISCAlCocuSoo
Of parties threatens to plunge the State of
Texas into difficulties similar In character
to those which have afflicted louisiana
Both are to blame for the unpropitious con-
dition of affairs in that State, which may
necessitate the interference of Federal au-
thority. 1t seems that the State Constltu-
ton provides that the election Of State Off
GERS shall take place at certain places and
times, and that the polls shall be kept open
four days. The Legislature Of the Stae
passed a law changing the places OF holding
the election and limiting the voting to one
day. Under this legislative enactment, both
parties organized, nominated candidates, and
went into an election for Governor, &C.,
which resulted in the Democrats carrying
the State by between 10000 and 40, GEO
majority. Thereupon the Republican Gov
ernor and the Republican party declare the
election 70 have been Illegal, and appeal to
the Supreme Court of the State, which SO
decides. The Democrats have announced
their purpose to proceed with the Inaugural
ton of the governor elected under the leg
islative enactment, and the Republican gov
ernor announces his purpose to hold on. to
the State government until the LIST Of April,
under the Constitution. l1s
We presume, from the information we
have as detailed in the newspapers, there is
no doubt of the illegality Of the election.
But the Republican is not the party that
should erter a protest against the election
now, inasmuch as they recognized the law
under which it was held, and had they been
successful, would have remained satisfied. 1t
is only when they have been defeated, that
they appeal to the Court to interpose its au-
thority in behalf of the Constitutional pro-
! vision in reference to the election.
Tho Supreme Court Of the State having
decided lha. the election was illegal, and the
present Republican Governor having an
nounced his purpose to retain executive au-
thority under that decision, and the Demo-
Gratis having determined to inaugurate their
recently elected Governor, conflict Of au-
thority must necessarily be the result.
Should such occur, and the Governor hold.
ing under the ruling Of the Supreme Judic-
ial authority of the State, appeal to the
President for aid in enforcing the decision
of the Court whit alternative would he have
but to see that the law was enforced His
! oath of Office requires that he should do so,
and we do not see how he could well avoid
it. Certainly it is an unfortunate state Of
things not only for Texas, but the country,
and 10 one is more to blame for it than Gov.
Davis himself. He was guilty Of crime
in recognizing the legislative enactment, by
running for Office under it, nor does his def
erence for the Constitution, after he was de-
feattd, atone for it. He should have taken
high ground before the election-refused to
be party to it, and then he would have
been 10 defensb!e position. What will be
the sequel, we cannot foretcll. 1t is to be
hoped we will not have repeated the Louis
lana contentious.
Since the above was put in type the ex-
pected application Of Gov. Dayis has been
made to the President for Federal interfe
renee, which called forth the following re-
Spouse, which will meet the endorsement Of
the country, irrespective of party:
/ EXECUTIVE MANSION, J.
WASHINGTON, January 18th, 1874. !
To Gouernor Davis, Austin, Teras:: a3..,. !,
Your dispatches and letters rectipg the
, action of the Supreme Court of Texas in
declaring the late election unconstitutional,
and asking the use Of troops to prevent APP
pretended violence, are received. The call
is not made in accordance with the Consti-
tuition of the United States and acts Of Con-
gress under it, and cannot therefore be
granted. The act. Of the Legislature Of
Texas providing for the recent election hav-
| ing received your approval. aud both politi-
cal parties having made nominations, and
having conducted political cam paign under
its provisions, would it not be prudent, as
| Wcll DIS flpit, 10 yltlu w tllS stTulCt Va tttG
people. as expressed by their ballots?
U. s.. GRANT
It is said of Chief Justice Marshall, that
having very knotty case before him, he
rendered an opinion based upon the common
sense and justice Of the cause, without ref
erence to precedent or legal technicality, and
turning to his associates, said, s.now, you
hunt up the law to sustain it," Gen. Grant
on the same principle, has given an answer
to Gov. Davis, of Texas. If the President
has no constitutional authority tor refusing
ito comply with the application of Davis, he
has vast amount Of justice aad common
sense to back him. iE
A PRESENT FROM CASTELAR, To GRANT =
The late Government in Spain has sent to
the President beautiful sword, which is
now in the posse ssion Of the State Depart
ment. It is one Of the famous Toledo
blades. On one side Of the sword is insert
bed list Of all the engagements in which
General Grant was engaged during the war
Of the rebellion and on the other side is the