The New York herald., 1876-11-15
MILTON SAYLER INTERVIEWED.
WHAT THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HoUsz

SAYS OF THE ELECTORAL QUESTION.
From the Cincinnati Commercial, Nov. 12l M
reporter Of the Cincinnati Commercial recently mad
interview with the Hon. Milton Sayer, as follows:
REroRTER-There is great deal of mlsspprehen-
sion a. 70 the Electoral College and the method Of
choosing President, and want the fulness Of
your information this important subjoct
Mr. SAYLER-Well, can tell you certain facts But
don't want you TO attempt draw mo into the sx.
preston Of any opinions certain polnta tell you
this you tho trouble don't know really that
have any information except that which is possessed
generally by tho intelligent people Of the country.
The question OF the othod Of choosing the President
OF tho United States was very serious one In tho
construction OF tho constitution in 17sa Under
that systom substantially the present system Of slec-
tors was adopted. But no distinction Yves mado be-
the vote for President and the vote for Vice
President and Il was only determined that the person
who should receive the highest number Of the cleo
tora votes provided It was majority OF ALL should
bc the Prcsidont and the person receiving tho ncx
highest number, providing also that IL was a majority
OF the electoral votes, should DO tho Vice President
provided that eicctor should vote for both Pros
dent and Vice President from his State The evL
dent inis-sson was that the electors In the several
States should be chosen Independent body.
and should cast their vote for whomsoever they
preferred; that the President should be elected
Wa
state, without reference TO any pledge and with
out reference to the claims of any individual
Under this provision, at tho first election. Gsnoral
Washington received sxty-nine votes, which. being
tho highest number he was declared President OF the
United States. Mr.. Adams, Mr. Jay, Mr.. Harrs0n.
Mr. Ru,ledse, ND Clinton and TWO or thrso others
also received votes. Mr.. Adams receiving the next
nishest lumber to General Washington, declared
10 be the Vice President IL seems 10 have been
understood at this time that tho President OF the
Senate should receive the votes aud announce them
IN the presence OF the JOINT session OF the Senate
aud House, and that their duty was simply
clerical The constitution OF 1889 fixed no time
for the choice OF electors or the counting Of tho
vote, and during wash,nglons nrst administration a.
remember now, though am talking without posi-
two reference 70 dates, tho tune was fixed for the
OF electors and also the for the counting
1902, and that II was then fixed 10 choose
electors at certain time, which is the present
time and that the votes should DO counted
tho second Wednesday In February. THAT is ms
recollection Of my reading oi It. The next election.
occurring 1885, is perhaps worthy OF some note iusi
now, inasmuch az Mr. Adams was tnon chosen by one
majority, receiving II out OF the I40 electoral votes
and Mr. Jefferson receiving tho highest number oi
votes and being declared the Vice President Il vas
IN Ihc election OF $500 that tic occurred between
Mr. Jefferson and Mr.. Burr which ed 70 the twelfth
amendment 10 the constitution, which provided Tor
the nrs time that separate should cast for the
President and Vice President and that they should Be
separately indicated on the ballot. This amendment
was proposed, as rccoect IN 1sU3 finally adopted
and proclaimed some time during 1904 Ii was mot ti
1864 that The vote OF any State rejected the
ton oil the Senate and House. Atleast do not know
OF any instance occurring prior to that time Then,
by action OF the two houses the Of States Ia
rebellion were rejected IN the count Discussion had
arisen, however, In the joint Convention, and thu !
famous wenty-sccond joint rulc seems have bad
for its %lcf object the determination OF the olocton o
the President and Vice President without dscussson
n.s a JONI RUE. which was passed - 1854 provided
ception Of any vote wnilc In joint bu that
whom this vas done tho Senate should retire v ~