Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-11-20
The Situation To-day.

Attorney General Taft declines to give an
expression OF his views as to the probable
effect of the alleged omission ON one or two
parishes in Louisiana to place the names of
but three of the eight electors voted for in
that state by the republicans. II is a aues-
ton which requires careful study before an
opinion can be reached, inasmuch as legal
works furnish but few if any precedents
Judge Taft is giving the subject careful at
tention so that If II is developed that the allega-
ton is verify, he may be able To present the
view of the government as reached through
him as its law officer.
Experienced lawyers are graphing with
the Constitution and its commentaries to
solve the question. Some hold that the fact
OF there being names ON the ticket establishes
the psignd Jncid intent of the voter to cast his
ballot for the republican candidate. Others
scout this theory, holding that neither HAYES
nor Tilden are voted for direct, but through
electors, and that the voter could vote for one
electOr If he saw fit and sctatch all the rest.
Hence II would not be fair on account of his
voting for one TO assume that il was priIia
(dcid evidence of his intent To vote for the
Presidential name which might have headed
the ticket.
Gen. Butler arrived here last night and to-
day had an interview with Caleb Gushing. 1t
is understood that Gen. Butler is of the opin-
ion that If all OF the disputed states are
counted in for Hayes and Wheeler the House
Will object To the reception of the votes of
those states. On the other hasd, the Senate
Will object to the votes of Alabama and Mis-
sissippi and the end will be that a President
Will not be chosen by the 4th of March, and
that the President pro fempOre of the Senate,
whoever he may be, will become the Presi-
dent.
There are some who probably don't believe
what they say, but who, nevertheless, assert
that in the event OF there being no choice by
the 9Th OF March, Grant will hold over until
the centennial conundrum is settled.
Hon. Montgomery Blair has returned from
Columbia, South Carolina. He says that the
democrats have duplicate tally of the votes
cast at all the precincts in the state, which do
Lot agree with the tabulated count made by
the returning board under the auxiliary order
OF the supreme court OF the state He be-
Iieves that the supreme court will take cogni-
zance OF the exceptions filed by the demo-
the separate ballots TO determine the result
III the result is not determined and gener-
ally accepted by the time OF the meetfnt. of
Congress, the complex situation will have a
bearing in the selection of a Speaker. II
throws aside Coxs chance for the gayiI be-
cause, If elected, Cox could only succeed
through southern votes. The controversy be-
ing southern question, IL would certainly
oe deemed impolitic to have a presiding Of
hcer elevated TO the Speakership through the
So.es OF that section. II puts Randall and
fore. WV prominently W 'iio
Inc arrival OF troops In Washington creates
IT,, IL a.ue discussion. Many democrats regard
=. I asy ueem the invasion of Washington
-. cne ai,my as an Indication that the Presi-
I ell anicip ates that Hayes will be returned
$1,000 ey tne returning boards OF the several
eispu.<u states, and that be Is preparing ar
'anse"enls 10 have him tnaugurated.