Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-12-02
The Election and Business.
N. 7. Daily Bulletiw.

1t IS sincerely to be hoped that
the uncertainty about the result of
the elections may be settled so as
to leave no dispute to be d q
posed of next February in Con-
gress. AS matters now stand,
there is an unquestionable posi-
bility of constitutional issue Of
the gravest kind being raised in
Congress, and with the chance of
results that We shrink from con-
templating. We do not under
take to weigh the probabilities in
this case The evidence is not suf-
aciently definite to make such an
estimate possible. But 80 long as
there is the ground for any degree
Of misgiving upon a matter affect
ing the whole foundation of ma
Nonal interests, it is impossible
that men of business should do
otherwise than act with the utmost
reserve in respect to all matters
extending into the future This,
unfortunately, is what merchants
and capitalists are generally do
ing. Business is suffering q par
tial paralysis from this very
cause. Men will buy for an i'm
mediate market; and they Will
sell for an immediate pay ment;
because they are sure it is clear for
a few weeks ahead. But there are
not a few who do not care to enter
into contracts the settlement of
which runs for some months in
the future. This disposition to
postpone business is especially con-
spicuous among the larger branch
eS of trade; and the consequence is
apparent in marked reaction
from the Improvement in business
that set in with the opening of the
fall trade.
For this detriment to the mate
rial interests of the country we are
indebted to the decentralization of
party politics. The truth is that
The class Of politicians who con-
duct the elections and handle the
returns do not command the conf
dence Of the people. 1t is we'll I'M
derstood that, in holly contested
districts, politicians will resort to
tricks to avert fair pol. or fair
count; and this distrust applies to
both parties. The rank and file OF
both sides are unquestionably
honestly DESTROYS of a fair
count. and that the President real
ly chosen should be seated; but,
pending the uncertainty arising
through corrupt interference with
the ballot, both parties insist that
their candidate has been elected,
and charge the opposite side with
the whole blame OF the frauds
Perhaps party feeling is necessari-
ly SO violent and unfair that it
could not we'll he otherwise. But
the effect of this precipitancy of
Judgment is not therefore the less
unfortunate. 1t commits both
sides to fixed position in large
measure irrespective Of its juStice.
Neither side Can really demon
strate its claim, but yet both are
infiexibly positive. This temper
of the public mind wholly units
it for judging fairly upon the re-
suit Of the election. 1t therefore
comes to this, that the people cam
not feel certain, blu on the contra
ry cherish considerable doubt, t. at
the result of the election will final
~ be determined honestly. The
bare conception Of the possibility
Of such failure of the ballot is a
damaging blow to confidence; but
il the thing itself really happens,
or if one half of the people honest
Ivy believe hat it has happened,
wat then ? 1t is this "what then"
that haunts the vision ofmen of
business, and causes the inaction
that is complained of in CONNER
lcial circles.
We can suggest but one way of
laying this political spectre, and
that is that men on both sides of
politics will, pending thelelimina-
ZION of the evidence, forget heir
party prejudices and determine
That the count shall be settled hon
estly, no matter which way the
serdict may turn, and to do this
with the disposition to yield DC 70
demand, then public sentiment
will arise commandingly just,
that the politicians and Congre
will be compelled to respect it,and
the final settlement will be quietly
acQuiesced in. But if this self
control cannot be exercised, If the
press and party leaders and pri-
xate citizens seem determined to
zee but their own part of the ques-
ION, and to accept but one settle