Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-11-21
Colorado Not in Yet.

1t would have brought balm to the most
Glsma! Tiidenite during the doubtful days in
tervenlng since Wednesday last TO haze
known that in any event Congress has i. in
its power, by the rejection Of the Colorado
State electors, to give effect to the popular
demand for change. Though Colorado has
gone through the preliminary formulas of
State existence, there arc some details de
pendent upon Congress without which the
vote OF her electors cannot DO counted iD Feb
rusry. Should partisauship proceed to the
length OF counting tho votes in Louisiana
+ orida and South Carolins in favor OF q re,
pudIatrd system, the House still has it in its
power to end the contest pesceably The law
providing for the admission of States into the
Union requires, among other things the adUp
tion OF Constitution by the people If the
territory, which shall be in conformity with
the laws OF Congress and the Cons titution.-
The State Constitution must be ratified by
Congress before the incip ient State can as
sumo its federal relations, namely, sending
representatives to Congress and casting its
electoral vote Tor President AID Vice, Pres-
ident.
Congress at its last session, however,
stepped outside of tie regular order OF State
admissions, aud authorzed the admission of
Colorado by an enabling act which made the
president the final judge of the constitutional
requirements On the strength of this the
State officers have been sworn in, but here
some precedents come in to render Colorado
a debatahlc voter in the electoral College
For example, Congress rejected all the Sou,h>
ern States in lS65-66, even after President
johnson had accepted their State Conslitu
tions. Until the h"uSe shall have admitted
its members, Colorado canno, be considered
fairly inside the Union, aud entitled to cast a
vote in the electoral college,
Congress can. therefore, shu. out this am-
bilious commonwealth if i.s Constitution is
not approved by two-thirds majority in both
houses Ths. it will not be approved in any
event there arc reasons TO believe. First,
because the Law proridcs that the electors for
President stall all be selected ou cue aud the
same day in all the Stntca. This Colorado did
not do. Her electors were voted for ia De-
tober, manitestly departure from the intent
as well "a the letter Of the lag. THIS ground
alone. it ID claimed, is sufficient for the reicc-
ton of the electoral vote, even if tho Com
stitution is found to be in accordance xith
the requirements of the Fcicrsl Constitution.
[Chic"go Times
DR.. Redfeld, in late letter from South
CarOliua to the Cincinnati Commercial (re>
publican says that the whites of South Car
olina are determined to gain control of their
own affairs, and that if Chamberlain is elect
ed he will be as harmless SIS q corns,alk to
command respect or enforce law unless he
does it through the federal power Though
a republican, the writer expresses his candid
belief that Hampton's election will be better
for the cOlored people. His word is law in
South Carolina; he has promised to protect
them and can do it one word from him
would quell any riot in this State ''The DAYS
of black government here are ended" adds
DR.. Rcd6eld, land the next thing is to Sc,
cure peace and protection of life and property"
The official vote Tor Governor gives
Mathews Is, 4SO majority. Judge Raymond
received 5000 majority.