The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-25
THE RECOUNT In FLORIDA.
PLANNING TO GETTHE PRESTDENCY
or THE a. \ SENJTE.
Gov. steRrns Not Likely TO sign Certificates
for Tilden Electors, and Hence the Election
to iao into the Inini NnssiOn OF CnnRrchs.


to eco into the joint session OF Congress.
WAsHINGToN. Dec. H.-Tho present oom-
plications In Florida have tr nsfeued all otten.
ton from Oregon, and politicians are now con-
siderng that this southern State holds the key
to the situation. Republican leaders, with Nor
ton at their head, are nittering themselves that
the programme they enacted In South Carolina
will be followed In Florida. They pretend to
scout at the authority OF the supreme Court,
and openly deny its jurisdiction. They say the
Ger incates issued and signed by Gov. Stearns
Will be the only ones admitted when the cleo
toral votes are oanvasscd. Mr.. II. 7. Holland,
now here from Apalachicola. who Is familiar
with Florida statutes and very conservative
In tone, gives II as his opinion that tie
Canyassing Board viii obey the mandate of the
court. because all the judges arc men OF un-
doubted integrity, aud Cowgirl has been heard
to say that he would follow their Instructions.
Mr Holland was asked whether an appeal could
be taken to the United States courts. aud II so,
what action would probably be taken by the
T deral judge. He replied that in case Cowgirl
lived UP TO his professions no appeal wo uld be
taken. as his vote would be necessary to such
step, but that II the south CIR liinI Ian at
tempted 1t could hardly succeed. Judge oOds
Is IN fun syfnuathy with the supreme Court ard
recognizes IT. Jurisdiction over II gcton returns.
More tn II that. here are three precedents In
the ia1isprudrnce Of Fiori'u for the power
tn iu that ate this m tier has been placed
beyond all dispute. IL Is claimed that Judge
woods VIII act IN harmony with the cOuri In re-
fU-tng he haUe - corpus writ should the board
be committed ana apply to him for relief
Should the Board % Canvasser-, however, r0-
open the count aud declare for the iilden elec-
tors ON the face Of the returns, thefO H. no prob
ability that Gov. Ste1rns will sign certificates,
ana tnis will transfer the contest the JOINT
sion Of Congress. Prominent Democratic mems
tiers OF the House judiciary Committee believe
that the Republican programme III mat enor-
gency Will he to interpuse technicdlites like tue
following: The supreme Court OF Florida has
merely ordered the canvass to be reOpened,
giving rs reason that certain four counties
must be admitted. which in eject would re-
verse the result. he Court has not said that
the Iilden electors were chosen, but there being
strong presumptve evidence that the Cortiu-
Gates Of the Hayes electors were Irregular wa
will agree to throw Florida out on condition.
that the House then proceeds 10 elect the Pres
ident and comedies the election OF Nice-Presi-
dent to the Senate. The gentleman referred to
has taken pains to inquire - to The Republican
programme regarding Florida. anu h good rea-
son to believe that they Will urge this cOnprO-
mise IN the nope Of saving at least the VICE
President from the general wreck; md he -
Inclined to think that the plan NAV succeed II IL
Is not vigorously cOmbatted.