Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-12-21
Letter FROM WASHlNGT0N.

|
To the Editor ofthe Journal:
Like the varying weather that since my last has
sandwiched few days of sunny skies and spring
like air between the irosts of that time and the
raw winds Of the present, the political atmosphere
is full Of changes that follow each other rapidly
as the clouds hurry by and in many respects are
of quite as much importance. There are, howev
er, certain important matters that indicate how
the principal question is likely to be settled, and
what paI izan effort is ready to undertake, as well
as the methods to be adopted, to reach,the desired
results by those upon whom the respons ibility
rests for the important decision of the presiden-
tal question, and what may become equally I'M
portant as to the preservation and security Of all
parties against disturbance Of the peace, that In
certain contingencies is threatened.
Early in the week the amendment of Senator
Edmunds providing for a submission of the count
of electoral votes to the Supreme Court as an i'm
partial tribunal, was earnestly debated and final
ly lost in the Senate. If passed. much haste would
have been required to secure ratification by the
States in sufficient number to make it part of
the constitution IN time for effect in the present
1t was earnest fort, at least to find some
acceptable plan whereby the result Of the Presi-
dental vote might be settled by a tribunal as far
removed as possible from excitement, passion and
interest, so that even the most unreasoning parti-
zans might be sienced by its fairness. If new
departure was to be taken in season for any appli
cation TO the present case, this, perhaps, coming
from the judiciary committee-amendedc carefully
so as TO separate the court from oil suspicion of
interest by rendering it impossible for any mem
Der Of it 10 be eleg be to Office urder appointment
Of the executive for four years--wss as fair as
could be made, but it seems the opinion is, that
it is better to rely on the present authorities than
to change them in any material respect. Be-
yond this the discussion on the Oregon case,
as to the possible defence of Governor who
endeavors TO thwart tie known will of State as
expressed by vote given in the utmost fairness,
as acknow wledged by all parties has received some
attention. also the proposition to print additional
copies of the reports of the citizens who visited
Louisiana on the transactions in that State has
brought out very earnest debate, and shown the m-
portance of the evidence presented to the returning
Board from the so called "bulldozed" parishes in
that State.
1t contains enough facts admitted by all parties
to show state of society where life itself was at
the mercy of mob, so rganized and counte-
nanced by those who should have been conserva-
tors of the peace that crimes aud outrages could
not be punished. When supplemented by the re-
ports of the Congressional committees, the real
condition of affairs will be fully in the hands of
the Congress and the people, and judgm mt can be
made up whether votes thus tainted ought to bear
weight in the election of Chief Magistrate of the
nation. While this would not settle the question
of the legal powers Of a Returning Board, which
by the law of the State has certain duties to per-
form, it will be conclusive as to any sympathy
| fer those who based their hope of success upon
the use of such means.
| Thus far the complaint against the use of the
army at the election has been much of sound and
fury, for ii has been so successful in preserving
the peace without injuiing tho citizens even in
South Carolina, that no fault can be justly found
in answer to Senate resolution asking the
President "by what authority and for what pur-
pose troops were stationed in Petersburg, Va, on
election day. the President makes use of quite
vigorous English. Having shown by actual testi-
mony that riotous proceedings occurred in that
city in May last at an election in which firearms
were used and votes destroyed by a company
DIR iled for the purpose, and that so much excite.
ment prevailed that voters dared not 90 TO the
polls, in accordance with the law, the General of
the army sent, on proper application, a company
OF t"enty-iour men, who quartered in the Custom
House there during the day, and who went near
10 polling place, and in no wav intelfered with
the election. lie suggests that in giving protec.
ton so that the voter cast his ballot without
fear for TIE candi cate of his choice "the very es
seLce Of liberty is seeured;" and referring TO
| the quiet of the election says that the pres-
ence Of the captain and twenty four men there
may haus secured Inherent result from. ,ehat
would hare 5een Obtained VU.sy lad not been TIER.
Ito maintain peace in case of riot on The face
of the raarnsP little criticism has been used
asto the propiiety Of Ire use of italics by the
President, for tie answer has been more positive
aud corelu sise jhsn was desired in certain quar-
tiers where great dread Of the army is manifested,
even when n stlict obedience 10 law and under
perfect control it preserves order and quiet by its
presence in Iiotou. community.
| Tie announcement of the result Of the elect ion
by Mr.. Hewitt Chairman of the Democratic Com
mltlee, created a little surprise, being different
! from the address which had been talked of as in
preparation BY the anxious patriots that had stud
led the matter here in consultation and under the
advice OF their leader at New York. IL exhibits
great party struggling to fnd in some one of the
pivotal States reason TO reverse the official re-
turns, sending committees with all the costly para
nj affr rT1p