The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-06

mentality OF party organization. IL Is not
unnatural that in many respects party in
terest and spirit should have strong in
ilucncc in shaping their opinions as well
as their actions. II can scarcely be- other
wise; ami even surprising members to
act upon motives ever so conscientious,
their impartiality will not have general
credit when in matter involving party
interests of such magnitude rs the result
of presidential election their Judgment
flyorS the candidate of their organila-
ton. But in crisis like this the final
verdict should not only Dc impartial: it
should also appear so.
When looking for tribunal fitted by
its character aud recognized authority TO
act as the great umpire OF political par
| ties in determining the result Of a dis.
putcd presidential election we find only
! ene---it is the supreme court of the
| United States. In The debates which
some time ago occurred in the senate on
bin TO regulate The counting Of the
| electoral vote the idea was frequently
| mt forth that. when the two houseS dis
! agreed on the reception of the electoral
vote of state or In case OF The presenta-
ton of two sets of certificates from one
state. on the question which of the two
| should be- received. that question should
be referred for decision TO the supreme
court or To one or more members of it.
The only strong argumcnturged against
this proposition was that the jurisdiction
Of the supreme court j. Ie,.ned by the
| constitution and ca.n9k De enlarged by
mere legislative cnactment The force
| of that objection cannot be denied. But
there is still another way open. 1t both
| political parties agree that 1t would serve
the great interest to remove this count
| ing OF the electoral votes from the theater
OF party strife aud to entru't that impOr-
| tant Office. with power TO decide iuciden-
tai questions. to the highest judicial au
thority in the land, there is still time TO
secure the adoption of "A constitutional
amendment TO that effect before the day
fixed by law for the counting of the elec-
| toral vote arrives. There are nearly
three weeks before Christmas, during
| which resolution TO submit such an
| amendment to the LEG islatures of the sew
eral states may bc discussed and deter
mined upon by both houses of congress
In January most OF the legislatures are
in session, and those that are not may be
convened Tor the ,erial purpose Of con
sitierine the ratification OF the amend
ment. 10 accomplish this great object
action must indeed be prompt, but ac-
ton may be prompt if both political par
ties cooperate in good faith to that end.
There is probably no more powerful in
fluencc to bring about such cooperation
than that of the two presidential candi-
dates themselves. If Governor Hayes
and Governor Tilden both make their re-
spective supporters understand that such
is their sincere and urgent wish for the
political good, that kind of opposition at
least which may spring from party spirit
will quickly yield in congress rs we'll as
in the state legislatures. Thus the most
formidable and dangerous obstacle
would be removed and the two parties
might tremendously unite upon meas
IRE most important for the peace of the
country and the stability OF our lnstitu.
lions. Ii may be said that il would DC
unwisc, in haste and merely for the pur.
pose of aycrting a temporary danger, 10
engrait upon the constitution of the re-
public permanent provision which
could not again be got rid OF without
great difficulty. But we are not here
providing against a mere temporary dan
ger. Unfortunately il is but too proba-
bic that from the condition OF the coun
try, as the civil war has left il, similar
complications will arise in the future, not
indeed at every presidential election. but
from time to time. Moreover. every
thinking man will admit that the maker.
OF the constitution, when framing that
vague provision concerning The counting
| OF the electoral votes, did certainly no,
foresee and contemplate the case of dis
lputcl electoral votes, and Of prcsiden-
tiai electisn depending upon disputed
electoral votes. Had they foreseen It, no
doubt they would have provided for il
more clearly and carefully. Even i'll more
peaceful times when the result of a presi
dental election dil not turn upon sin
gle state the ndeiinIteness of the cOusti
tutional clause caused now and then mucl
, embarrassment and perpleXity. II is ey
: identity not adequate TO the more difficult
circumstance at present surrounding Us
! A change is therefore decidedly and ur
) gently needed, and if that change mus
: he recognized as Necessary. why SHOULD
J II not be taken in hand at one 10 help u
: through the threatening dangers OF IN,
present crisis
Neither can it be denied that such
: change would fail OF its object if il 1it
: not withdraw the counting OF the electo
G raj votes, and the determination of the re
: suit from the struggle of political parties
I and that this can be accomplished onl,
= by selecting for this office "A tribuna
y standing above all party strife. Thus IN
u supreme court seems clearly pointed on
5 by the nece ssities of the case. There
, only one other question requiring an
II swer: Will not the discharge OF sue
1..sf. 4. A.