Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-15

On the -tIonsth Of which tie Democrats
are growing and claiming the election for
Mr.. Tlldcn, is this The Oregon Repuoii-
cans, like those of Vermont, stupidity and
foolishly elected a postmaster Presidential
Elector. He at once resigned as postmaster
but the Governor, bitter Democrat, named
Grover. thought be discovered chance to
get an Electoral vote for Tilden, and certi-
fed the election cot of Watts, the post
master but of Cronin, his Democratic COM
petitor. Not only so, but he gave to Cronln
the certificates Of the two Republican Eec-
tors Of whose eligibility there was no ques-
ton. When the day came for the Electors
to meet, the Republican Electors met,
organized and demanded of Cronin their
certificates Of election, and he refused to give
or exhibit them. Thereupon Cronin assuin-
ed that the majority refused to act. declared
their rlaces vacant. and assumed to Gil them
with two Democrats, named Miller and
Parker. The three then proceeded to cast
what the Democrats call the Electoral vote
Of Oregon. and hastily left the room. The
whole preceding, were it not 50 iarcical'
would he considered one of the greatest out
RACES Of law and precedent on record. Miller
and Parker voted for Hayes, which, as they
arc both Democrats, made the farce com
pl,te. Cronin voted for Tilden. The
Repnblican Electors remained in the same
room and proceeded formally and carefully.
Watts having resigned, was reelected, and
the three votes Of the State were cast for
Have. and Wheeler, backed by 800 popu-
lar majority. over which there il no dispute.
The leading Republicans in Washington
and Republican newspapers are confident
that tbi. Infamous trick OF the TIlden men
in Oregon viii be Of no avail. The law OF
Oregon imposes simply ministerial duty up
on the Governor in the matter of elections.
1t .avs the Secretary Of State must: in tie
rre-ence Of the Governor, canvass the votes
" and tic Governor shall grant a certificate
of election to the person having the highest
number of votes, and shall issue prOclama-
ton declaring the election Of such person. "
The ,er~Yn to whom the Governor granted
all the certificates was officially shown to be
largely 10 tie minority But the laws Of
Ore,onal-o declare that on " the decision Of
competent tribunal declaring void an eltc-
ton or appointment" the - Office shall be
come vacant" The Governor, then, if he
had any right 10 act at all, could simply de-
clare vacancy. which tie other Electors
lad the right to ill.
The Democrats claim that AZ any rate the
action Of the Oregon Governor will compel
the Republicans to abandon the claim that
tie Goycruors certificate j. final, and 1t
nav have that elect But Governor Gro
action cannot be defended ly citing tie
roui-c If tie Southern returning board
The questions at issue differ from those
decided hy the southern canvas>ing boards IN
this material point that the latter only a.
ssuei power TO consider the return, Of votes
actually cast with such Considerations OF
fraud and violence as determined whether
they were legal; while in the Oregon case
the attempt is made to 60 behind the re-
turu~. and in defiance Of precedent and with
out INVESTIGATION, to decide of hand whether
a., ...,.. 81 l,.s- ,,arp eitrilie
The duty Of the President Of the Senate,
when tie w. sets Of certificates from Oregon
are ple~entei. seems clear. Every consid- |
Grafton ol law aud equity would compel the |
counting If tie three Republican votes, |
which i6Iresont the people Of Oregon. and |
which were cast with all due iormality, ez-
cclt so far as tie arbitrary action Of tile /
Governor prevented.