The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-06
Embracing n plan for the settlement
ut the Electoral toutr"-
Nersy.
The Cauvass Of the votes 10 %,
Transferred to the supreme
court.
The way Made Easy by - Coostitu-
tiaual Amendment 10 be Draffeb
Aud adopted ny Common
GOnseut.

John B. Henderson and other eX mem
bers of the senate and house. aud embod-
les the views of Senator Schurz, con
tanned in the Hicstiiche Post yesterday
THE LETTER.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 3, 1876
Hon T w Ferry, Pre,iieat of the Senate:
The complications in which we lind
ourselves involved at present, are well
calculated tn impress two facts upon
every candid n nd:
/. That the result of presidential clec-
tons may DEPEND upon a very small
number of electoral votes, these votes To
come from states in disturbed aud alb
normal condition ;and
2 That the constitutional method of
counting the electoral vote. of deciding
questions oflegality connected with them,
and of determining the finai result, has
become matter Of dispute between in
terested parties. No doubt all patriotic
citizens desire only to have the offices of
president and vice president awarded to
those who have been rightfully elected
to them, no matter to what political
party they may belong. AS for our
selves. we have heartily and actively sup
ported Governor Hayes for the presi.
dency, believing that his election would
best serve the true Interests OF the repub-
lie. But we deem il OF far greater i'm
portance that the future president OF the
United Stats should have clear title TO
OF our choice. We hope every patriotic
Democrat reciprocates that sentiment
But how is that title to be established so
clearly that it may stand above all doubt
and cavil: We hear OF charges of fraud.
intimidation and terrorism with regard
10 the election in several states. as well
proceedings in the operation o! canvass
ing boards, and there is reason to antici-
pate acrimonious party contest in the
final counting of the electoral votes and
the determination OF the result.
The constitution provides only that
''the president Of the senate shall. in the
presence of thesnate and house of rep
resentatives. open the certificates and the
votes shall be counted AS TO The
!iaeaning OF that clause there are grave
conflicts of opinion, It's held by some
that the president of the senate alone is
invested with power 10 CONT the votes
and declare the result, the two houses of
congress being mere witnesses to the act,
without any authority to interfere. 1t is
held by Others that the two houses of
congress have power to direct the count
ing. and, II they see fit, TO throw
ont the electoral votes of state, but only
by concurrent action. BY others still it
is asserted that an objection sustained by
either OF the two houses is sufficient 10
exclude the electoral votes OF state
from the count. We have repeatedly ex-
pressed our opinions on these points and
will not now restate them. But we de-
sire TO invite attention TO the important
tact, that the conflict OF these theories Is
degenorating moro and more every day
into struggle OF party interests, and
this AZ time when the election OF the
chief magistrate Of the Republic NAV de.
pend upon single electoral vote, and
when the two contending parties are
each ia control OF one house OF con-
gress.
y ready do We lind active and infiiI-
enhal politicians Specializing upon the
manner ia which the power OF either
house Of congress can be utilized to pro-
mote or prevent the success OF this OF
that presidential candidate. Elaborate
schemes are published by men OF stand.
my, setting forth how a condition oil
things may be brought about in which
the country is to have two president,
contending for the possession of the gov
eminent. by reckless character the ea
Of the people Is familiarizcd with ID,
cry OF forclbls resistance aud civil war
The alarm OF capital and the stagnatior
OF business are growing more distressing
every day. Neither is the end of this Ia
RAISING uncertainty 10 be foreseen. Tn,
counting of the electoral vote in congrcs
may bring us, Instead OF a speedy au.
conclusive settlement oi all difficulties
only more exciting struggle Of part
Interests aud ambitions, and instead of al
election result universally accepted a
legal and Just, national government az
pearing as the offspring Of terrorism O
OF party chicanery, government Tia
ri.hiiuiness Of whose authority ma
therefore be questioned. aud whose Yer
existence may give rise 10 long AN
dangerous quarrels. Certainly II
greater misfortune could beial the eouI
Try.
II is evident that, in order to avoid eoi
sequences so grave, the determination
the result OF this presidential electi,
should DC cOniided 10 tribunal who
verdict will command universal con
dence, aud Ia order 10 command uniys
sal confidence In times OF excited par
feeling the tribunal should be as far
possible removed from the party stri
party interest and party ambition. ON
then Will the impartiality OF lis jud
uaent be generally and unrcseryedly |
lieged in. PROFESSIONALLY congress
not such tribunal. There are,
doubt, men In the senate and IN the hoI
- .f.st xxfl.A Ia.