The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-05
BEGINNING OF THE END.

oy SonSiuuos tuc CaHNhsslnS Oh
the votes in the contested States, and to-
morrow the electors will cast their votes
at the various State Capitols. Under
ordinary circumstances this would vir-
tually end the contest, except the mere
form of opening and counting the eIec.
toral vote in February; but if TIE Radi-
cal conspirators pursue the plan already
marked out by them and secure the result
aimed at, this is but the con- mencement
of the most intense political excitement
! the country ever witnessed.
We took occasion on yesterday to say
that Congress bad presented for its de
termination the gravesi and most per-
picking questions ever presented in our
history. While the way is yet dark and
the region unexplored, it is we'll enough
for every thoughtful person to give the
subject calm, honest and non -partizsn
consideration, and let the results aimed
at, whatever they may be, commend
themselves to every fair and reasonable
mind. There is variety of opinions
upon almost every phase OF the situation
that is presented, and as in any ordinary
| law case precedcnts can be found to sus-
tain either side-thst Is, where there are
precedents existing.
1t is disputed question whether the
President of the Senate or the two
houses of Congress count the electoral
vote. In going back to the time when
GEORGE NJ. DALLAS was VIce-President
and presided over the Senate, he an
nounced IN opening the deliberations OF
the joint assembly, that the Senate and
House of Representatives had assembled
to witness him open the certificates and
count the vote, while at IA later period
l873-Mr. Colfax opened The delibera-
tions of the joint assembly with the state
ment that they had assembled "for the
purpose of opening and determining and
declaring the votes"
According TO our mind, Mr.. CoLFAX
gave the proper construction, rs 1t Is
clearly the duty of the two Houses, and
not the Vice President, to count the
vote, But MS we have already intlmated,
we do not see where Congress has the
power within itself to go behind the re-
turns of q State without invading the
constitutional pferogstives OF the States.
The States never intended to delegate 10
the General Government any such dan
gerous power, and if States rights are TO
be- utterly destroyed, Tor GoD'' sake do
not let it die at the hands OF its friends.
But when we see a candidate Tor the high
Office of President elected at the hands OF
States whose returns have been traudu-
lently obtained, there mast be a TenseGfy
soDsChere, or there is wonderful defect
in our system of government. 1t is
true that the people are sovereign sc-
cordlrg to our theory, and they are the
arbiters OF last resort. But this course
would involve revolution, which is 10 be
avoided if there any law or form OF
law for adjusting the difficulty. We say
there must be remedy somewhere, ana
that remedy lies where it should-in the
courts. Congress should at once pass
bill giving the Supreme Court OF the
limited States the power to try, in
summary manner. the question us to
what persons had the right to cast the
electoral vote of State. 1t Is hardly pos
sibIe. even if it should be found that Con-
cress had the power to go behind the re-
turns and correct frauds that an agree
ment could be reached between the Re
publicsr Senate and the Democratic
! House, especially when so great prize
as the presidency is the bone OF conIen-
tioi. If Congress undertakes to decide
the question the probability Is that Tue
Senate will declare for HAYES and the
! House for TILpEN-lesving the Man on
Horseback master of the situation, when
would be a very unsatisfactory result
But we are satisfied that the people ol
this country would sustain any result
that might be reached by means OF a Ju-
dicIsl decision. We scknow ledge thaI
the whole question is surroundea with
for and he must have keen sight ana
steady hand Who'll c&n pilot the country
through the waters upon whlth our sup
Is embarked. We have coed, true men
In Congress, and We have sufficient con-
: dence in their wisdom, patriotism ana de-
votion to Truth and Right to leave the
whole matter in their hands and ABIDE
,h, result of their courSeS.
Treasury Estimates.
WASHINGTON, December THE Sec
rotary of the Treasury To day submitted
TO the House OF Representatives estimates
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