The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-12-16


1t was ascertained that DR.. Watts one o.
the Republican sleessrs Of Oregon WIS Z
Q. s. Postmaster on the day Of slsetioa
and although bsI WAS chosen a. N relsctol
from the State of Oregon BY over I, 900 ma.
jorisy, and although Watts had resigned
bis office Of Postmaster before Il va,
known, that he Was chosen elsetor, yet th,
Democrats claimed that he was Ineligible
70 the position of elector aud when ths
Governor and Secretary met to canvas,
the votes and issue certificates o! election
to the successful candidates. they made q
formal protest against the Issuing Of Ger.
tifcate to Watts, and offered argument.
before his Excellency in opposition to biz
sligibilit-. Tho Republicans claimed
that BY the Constitution and laws OF Ore.
gon, the Governor had nothing to do with
the eligibility Of ahe candidates aud there.
fore could not sit Ia judgment upon that
matter, but could only canvass the returns
IS they appeared upon their face and issue
certificates to three candidates having tho
highest number Of votes, and refused to
argue the question Of eligibility before the
Governor as = judicial tribunal competent
to cit and determine the question, but
simply filed their objections to his jnrisdic-
ton in the case.
The Governor entertained his jurisdic.
ton 10 the case and heard arguments from
Senator Kelly, H. 9. Thompson Esq, W.
". Thayer Esq, Col. Eainger and Judge
Strong. against Watts eligibility. No on .
appeared in favor on the ground, ~ before
stated, that there was no jurisdiction 10
the Governor to hear and decide the case.
The Governor then declared Watts iueli.
gible and refused to give him bis certifi.
cate, but gave the certificate TO Mr.. C.onin
who had the highest vote on the Democrat
ic ticket. He prepared certificates for tho
other two Republican electors Odell and
Cartwright, and delivered them to Cronin
with his own in one envelope. Cronin re-
AuS0u ~ 6N0 Suo VoItIucu lIStS 70 OStt.
wright and Odell, and they in turn refused
to recognize him as an elector. Then
Croniu claimed that Cartwright's and Cd
ellis places were vacant in the College, and
proceeded to fill the vacancies with the
names Of J. N. T. Miller and John Psrker,
and these three assumed to cast the elect
oral vote Of, Oregon, giving one vote for
Tilden and Hendricks ana two for Hayes
and Wheeler, and chose Cronin to carry
the vote to Washington. When ,Crouin
refused to give the certified lists to Cart
wright and Odell, they knowing that no
certificate had been prepared BY the Gov
erncr for Watts, proceeded As though the
College was not full, and chose Watts TO
fill the vacancy and obtained full certified
copies of the official canvass of the votes,
aud then all three casttheir votes for Hayes
and Wheeler and chose Odell to carry the
vote to Washington. ~ 'r'a a7H.s
Grest excitement IL reported to have ex.
listed 1t Salem growing out OF this actios
OF the Governor, and indignation N ceilings
were held by the Republicans and highly
denunciatory speeches made against the
Governor for ttis usurpation OF power
which Is claimed be does not possess. II
would seem TO IA outsider that Governor
Grover was determ ined to give Tilden and
Hendricks that one more vote required to
mako. hin aPresident. even II be had 10
strain point and usurp jurisdiction that
is questionable. The end is not yet. '''2 y :
.F.aE13I i'ff