The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-12-28
RANDOM THOUGHTS.
BY the EDITOR.

bt TIT EbiAbh
All writings should be construed by
themselves, unless they contain ambigu-
ity. No outside evidence, or parol testi
mony, should be admitted.
The Constitution Of the United States
was adopted September II, 1887. In the
year 1903. after the great contest for the
Presidency. between Jefferson and Burr
part Of the amendment referring to the
counting Of the votes Of the Presidential
Electors, is identical with the 2d Article
of the original Constitution.
The following is the XII Amendment:
ARTICLE XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective
States, and vote by ballot for President and
Vice President, one OF whom, at least, shall not
selves; they shall name i'm their ballots the
person voted for as President, and in distinct
ballot ths nerson voted Ior as y Ice ffesldent,
voted for a. President, and Of all persons voted
for as Nice-Pres sident, and of the number Of
votes foI each, which list they shall sign and
certify, and transmit sealed, TO the seat OF the
Government OF the United States, directed 10
the President OF the Senate; the President Of
the Senate shall, in presence Of the senate and
House Of Representatives. open all the certih-
Gates, and the votes shall then be counted. The
person having the greatest number of votes for
President shall be the President, IL such num-
beT be majority of the whole number OF Elec-
tors appointed and II no person have such
majority, then from the persons having the
highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the
list Of those voted for a. President, the House
of Representatives shall choose Immediately,
by ballot, the President. But in choosing the
the representation from each state having one
vote; quorum for this purpose shall consist
OF member or members from two-thirds OF
the States, and majority of all the States
shall be necessary TO a choice. And IL the
House of II presentatives shall not choose a
President whenever the right of choice. shall
devolve upon them, before the fourth day of
March next following. then the Vice-President
shall act President, as in case of the death or
other constitutional disability OF the President.
The person having the greate,t plumber Of
votes as Nice-President shall be the Nice-Presi-
dent, il such number be a majority of the
whole number of Electors appointed, and If no
person have majority, then from the two
highest numbers on the list the Senate shall
choose the Vice President; a quorum for the
purpose shall consist Of twO-thirds OF the
whole number OF Senators. and majority of
the whole number shall be necessary to
choice.
The men who made the Constitution
no doubt supposed that the Senate OF
the United States would be composed Of
the wisest and most learned men in the
Nation. who would be capable of electing
a presiding officer Of wisdom and integ
rity, when there should be no Vice Pres
ident to preside. They had reason to
believe that the States would elect a man
for Vice President who would be a safe
man; hence il is provided that the Presi-
dent Of the Senate shall receive the votes
of the Electors, and open them at the
time fixed by law.
The main point now in controversy is,
who shall count the votes, and if there
be two or more papers purporting to be
returns of votes, who shall decide which
is the valid return from each State2
AS will be seen, the Constitution pro
vides that the returns shall be made to
the President of the Senate, and he shall
open them, and they shall be counted;
but it is silent as to the party who shall
count them.
1t will be observed that the returns are
placed in the hands OF the President OF
the Senate. and by him to be opened.
but there is then no provision, or even
that they shall pass from his
hands-no hint that the House, or the
Senate, or Congress as join convention,
shall take any-the least part in the
counting, or in deciding any question
whatever. But, inquiries the reader,
what are the House and Senate to be
present for, when the returns are opened
by the President of the Senate, and the !
votes counted ? The Constitution tells !
ust what they are present for. If two
candidates have an equal number of
1otes. as was the case between jefferson |
md Barr in 1901, or IL no candidate has
! majority of all the votes, as was the
,ase with Adams. jackson, Crawford and
lay, in 1925, the House shall choose
President, and the Senate
hall choose a Vice President That is
hat the Senate and House are present
or, and the only purpose, for that is the
'nly duty required of them by the Con
titution. II they, or either of them,
tempt anything further, they become
Isurpers, and should be prevented from
arrying out their usurpation. even if it
axes the Executive arm Of the Govern
nent to control them.
(When had got this far-just ready
0 commence as it were, the printers in
ormed me that "the paper is up," and
here is no more room so | must wait
ntil next week