Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-12-16
AN OLD QUESTION AFTER ALL.

AN OLD QUESTION AFTER ALL
" Historicus," writing III the Cincin
uati Commercial, recalls the fact tbs
the last was not the only election in
which there vas an unfortunate up
rising Of postmaslers to cos1piicate the
political situation. "In the election o.
1896 one Of the Electors arpoined in
New Hampshire vas pension agent.
aud another y postmaster. IL the
same election two Of the Electors in
North Carolina were postiaasters, and
one in Connecticut. The tendency of
officials of this class to become Flee.
tors ls quite remarkable. The expla-
nation is that the position offers si.ort
way &c secure a renewal of commits
sion. The Office OF Elector is orna-
mental rather than profitable 1t only
Yields days pay. But no new adj
ADMINISTRATION could refuse to continue
in ofioa the postmaster who had cast
vote for it. In 1888, however, the OBJ
trUsion OF these officials was not Il
practical question. The counting or
refusing to count their votes, would |
not have in any way affected the re- /,
suit. But there was a good deal OF |
discussion OYER The circum stance in |
Congress. EetoIe the votes were coun-
ted in join; convention, both the Sen
ate and House appointed Committees
to Inquire into the matter. The Sen
ate Committee reported that five Flee
tors were chosen and cast votes who
were Ineligible, but tina. these votes
would not affect the result. The House
Committee dipped somewha, deeper
into the subject. 1t repo: 81 that
these Electors were disqualified. and
lha; a resignation of the office of Dep
uiy Postmaster after his appointment
~ an Elector, would not enable him
% vote as an Elec;or under the Consti- c
ulion." This reads very positive
alongside of the wavering and doubt o
nj opinions which have of late been $
PREVALENT on this suhjec:. The Com Il
nittee also anticipated the main diff Il
Glty with which we are now con- Il
In fact. it stated in the full W
Il manner the great problem of the
residential election of 1870. II said:
should case occur in which it be- IL
'nie necessary to ascertain and deter In
line upon the qualifications OF Flee IN
rs of President and Wee President
the United Staets, " hat tribunal I'M w
pr the Constitution would be CONNIE bt
mt to decide. Whether tho rosnectiv. I'll
alleges in the different States should de
'cide on the qualifications of their 20
sn members, or Congress should ex- ~,
else the power. is question which res
c Committee is OF opinion ough. 10 th'
settled by permanent provision an
the subject col
The debate which subsequently took en-,
Ice in both Houses, Developed a act
'at diversity of opinion. Some , ,n'
inGht thu. the Electoral Colleges We,
'uid pass on the qualifications OF chi
ms,nbers cthors tho, Tim .,,,., Iii
''V"sDta' l.lt s"t.ltt
sisla,u-es should regulate the mat !. +
and Others still that Congress cit
'uld straighten the matter out. but can
ugh legislation looking to that end " 90.
; proposed, nothing was elected. pre
, result is that all these modes OF SOLD
ua!rnent with one that vas not az
amt Of in 1915. have been OF will "
brought into operation. Wherever a {
nocrats were elected the Col;,.res poll
led these questions for themselves, on
q: Connecticut, Missouri, Virginia ION
North Carolina. They elected suit
IONS to fill the seats Of the disquali- 'ain
Electors. The Republican Eiecto- face
Nolle2e of Vermont did the same, case
II had the bad taste TO selec. the CoHl
nressib,. nos,moS,or Nirg
vote
e Of all the trouble. In Rhode Is elect
tho Legislature filled the vacancy
Is Electoral College caused by a Exec
.rai oiliceholder by choosing one In
+. In Oregon the Democratic Gov dated
r took upon himself the decision the r
the knotty points involved. He anG a
ID certificate to man " no was reeel'
iected, and he again i,nprovised letter
lege of his own. But these diff pape;
{ modes of settlement leave the inforr
r pretty much where 1t was" The L
seems inevitable that | Peter,
latter will be settled by the de- yembe
g voice Of Vice President Ferry. The
- report
IRE is not suDe.intendenf mr. foro Hor