The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-30
Counting the Vote.

While politicians are anxioqsly en-
ouiring what will be the result Of the
present Presidential contest, and while
good men eSerywhefeRslhopins that the
right will prevail, will you accept Of a
few thoughts from citizen Of the quiet
county OF Hancock. j should be pleased
II our own Legislature, and the LegislaT
lures OF every other State Id the Union,
would introduce u text book into all our
public schools upon!tbe subIeetlot politi-
cal economy. Not partisan exposition
Of our Constitution and Government, but
a fair, concise and clear explanation OF
the nature OF Republican Government,
and Of the working Of our National and
State Constitutions. lliysap :
Had this suggestion been acted upon
forty years since, weLEhould have had
such an educated vote in every State az
would have avoided secession in=its.yery
incipiency; as would have detected the
hidden danger Of squatter sovereignty as
readily IA did the great mind Of Mr..
Lincoln in his celebrated discussion With
Mr.. Douglas; and that would have con.
signed 10 private Life such nien' H
T0onbs and Davis, upon their first Ut.
terancement Of the doctrine OF State
rights. - 'i1'' 4''li"
While this action by our State Legis.
latures may bear rich fruit in The way oi
safety to the next generation, its harvest
will come too late 10 serve VA in the
present trouble. = i,s'sGtiA
Should we take the ultra party paper
on each side as evidence Of The political
honesty Of the Republican and Demo.
cratic parties, our conclusion would not
be very lattering to an honest American
citizen, but happily We are not left 10
such evidence, for down In the heart Of
at least six OF the eight millions OF voters
who deposited their ballots for a Presi.
dent on the 9Th Of November last comes
yelling up the waters from a pure foun-
tain. lsl s.lr at.s5z 49, ~
have been struck with the pertinaeity
with which some OF The leading papers
and leading politicians Of the Democratic
party cry out about fraud and corrup.
lion, while well informed persons are
fully satisfied that Mississippi, Alabama
and Georgia should upon an honest vote
have been added to the Republican col
umn and have carried Mr.. Hays into The
Executive Chair by an overwhelming
minority, both Of the Electoral College
and the popular vote. Since the count.
ing Of the votes OF South Carolina, Lou
isiana and Florida for Gen. Hayes, our
Democratic friends have been loud in
their protestations that the fair way now
is to let the election go TO the House Of
Representatives. -
Why cast aside the electoral vote and
let it go to the present House? Simply
because that House would elect Mr.. Til
den. They talk OF frauds, snd the rights
Of the people. Why appeal to body Of
men to decide this question who were
elected two years since, when upon the
4th day OF March, lonly II days after the
time fixed for the counting Of the vote will
come into the halls OF the lower House,
delegates who were elected last Noyem-
Der, and who:are supposed to more exact
ly represent the people than the members
Of the present Congress.
You have on several occasions laid be-
fore yOl.t readers the second ciause Of the
lst Section OF Article II Of the Constitu-
ton, and the 18th Amendment OF the said
Constitution, which Is the only guide to
Congress upon the 14th day of February
next, when they shall assemble in con.
vention to count the electoral vote.
When the President OF the Senate
shall in the presence OF the Senate, and
House Of Representatives, open all the
certificates, should our Democratic
friends object to tho counting Sol the
votes Of South Carolina, Florida or Lou
isiana, and persist in their right to do so,
an adjournment must be taken until eacl.
body shall have discussed the merits of
die question upon the evidence, should
they decide to 50 far ignore state rights as
10 examine behind the report OF the Can
wasting Board ofFuch,slate: a ~
II this course. should he adopted, does
any man suppose full discussion OF the
merits Of the question, and. the evidence
upon whicl, the Canyassing Board came
TO their conclusion, can DO had within the
II DAYS when the present Congress shall
cease 10 exist? Tic Lower House can
not move in the direction Of choosing a
President, until ii i. decided that no per.
son has majority OF the whole Electoral
College. And should the Two houses not
come 10 ajeciSion upon that question
before noon Of the 4th day Of March,
1877, the present Congress- will have
ceased to exist, and its members have be-
come no more tllah private citizens, willie
all their labors and duties will have
devolved upon the 18th Congress, who,
upon the morning Of The. 9th Of March,
will lie prepared to decide the Presi.
DENTAL question according 10 the in
situations Of last November. - All
Each State casting but one vote, Mr..
Hayes will have at least % to 16 for Mr..
'Tiiden, probably % to 49, and the ques.
tioniwill,be settled in a constitutional way,
and in way probably more satisfactory
to Mr.. Hayes and the American people.
211tt. rGj2 gsa, 1915. 09s RHhfFHssHe.