Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-22

Senator Morton thinks that the Senate and
House will am,cabiy adjust the existing
troubles, and that the way will then be
clear for an amendment to the Constitution
which viii abolish Electoral Colleges.
A leading Democrat, described as near
to Tilden," is reported as expressing his be-
lief that some rule for the rejection Of votes
of States will be agreed upon between the
two Houses, that the Republicans will throw
out Mississippi and Alabama, and the Demo-
Gratis will throw out Louisiana, South Caro-
lima and Florida This would throw the
election OF President into the House, and of
the Vice-President into the Senate.
Ben Hill told Fernando Wood, in the
Democratic caucus, that perhaps be was
i" not aware of the conservative influence
OF ffteen-ipch she'll with fuse in pro-
cess of combustion " Hill followed his
speech by informing the caucus that the
action of the Northern Democrats reminded
him of that large class Of men which is al
ways invincible in peace and invisible in
war. -.---.-
Not few Democrats, at Washington,
disapprove OF Hewitt's address TO the peo-
pie, declaring Tilden elected. on the ground
that it will only tend to prolong the present
excitement and inhame the minds of the bad
element in the party. 1t is believed that
party storm is brewing.
The Secretary of the Treasury has no
funds wherewith to pay the Messengers of
the Electoral Colleges. The rate Of COM
pensation was reduced by the statute last
passed to twenty-five cents yer mile one
way.
The House Postofice Committee has dis
agreed on Hamlin's amendment to the Post
office bill which would restore the Franking
Privilege and the fast mail system, the ma
Jority taking the ground that it should be
presented as an independent proposition.
The House Republicans suggest a. means
Of adjusting the Electoral difficulties the pas
sage of the Morton resolution, that the vote
Of no State shall be rejected except by agree
ment of both Houses, bv the Senate, and in
the event Of its non-passage by the House
the appointment Of Conference Committee
of the best men of both parties, in the na-
ture Of an arbitration.
The Washington correspondent of the Troy
Times says;
Congress has been in session one week
In that time the Democrats have committed
themselves TO three frauds.
F.rst-They refused to admit the member
from the new State OF Colorado. and Speaker
Randall still calls Colorado in the lis: Of ter
ritories and the territorial delegate draws his
pay. No reason in law, nor any precedent,
was offered to justify this narty preceding.
1t is admitted that it was done in the hope
that Colorado might be excluded from the
Electoral College, and not be counted for
Hayes. Yet, for three weeks after the Col
orado election, pending the canvass in Indi-
ana, the Democrats insisted tlat Colorado
had gone for Tilden. II Democ.atic Con-
gressman had been elected, would be have
stood cooling his heels in the lobby?
SeeOnd-The Democrats, 50 far as posi-
BILE, have denied the existence Of State
Government in Sout, Carolina, by refusing
Buttz his seat. although be has an undouht-
ed Republican majority Of 1000. By this
act, the Democrats have hoped 10 make a
point upon the returning board in South
Carolina, and TO create a possible chance for
Tilden there. This. too, although the great,
good, magnanimous and patriotic Wade
Hampton SAYS that the Electoral vote OF the
State was east for Hayes and Wheeler.
IKrd-The Democrats have committed
the cr)wning infamy by stealing an Ele-tor
al vote in Oregon. This scheme was IN
doubtedly planned in New York city. The
legal opinion upon which Grover acted
doubtless came from Eastern Democrats.
To the three frauds which the Democrats
have thus committed must he added the
grossly partisan unusrliamentaTy rulings of
their chosen speaker.