The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-20
A DISPUTED PRESIDENCY
QuibbIes, Expediences and Sug-
gestiOnS of the Press.
[The Philadelphia Times, Ind. Rep.

AS to the issue Of the contest, Judge
Jere. Black advances the novel idea that
it will result in the election of Tilden
and Wheeler, in the following manner
He believes Louisiana and Florida gave
majority for Tilden, but that the vote
of each will be counted for Hayes,
and as result the votes of those States
will be thrown out by Congress when 1t
shall meet to count the Electoral vote.
This will throw the election of President
into the House and OF Vice President
into the Senate. The former would un-
doubtedly elect Tilden, and the latter
Wheeler. So Judge Black figures it
out.
[Chicago Tribune, Rep.l
Somebody has hit upon a plan where
by any interregnum in the Presidential
term may be avoided In the event of a
refusal by the Democratic House to CO.
operate in the steps necessary to de-
c. are the election OF Republican Presi-
dent in case the present uncertainty
shall end in that way. The plan pro-
posed is that President Grant shall re-
sign on the 81 of March, leaving the
Senate President pro tenn. to fill the
vacancy thus created until President
Is inaugurated. 1t is we'll enough to
discuss the eXpedients that may become
necessary 70 resort to, but 1t is to be
hoped that the condition Of affairs will
not require unu ,ual remedies.
New York Graphic, Ind. Dem.l
If the two Houses do not agree on a
joint rule-and it is more than possible
that they may disagree-what shall the
Vice President do with the returns from
any State where the election is contest
ed or there are evidences of fraud or two
sets Of certificatesp The Presidency for
the next four years would depend upon
his action. Yet the Constitution makes
him merely the opener of certificates.
The situation is almost perilous. Sup
pose Congress interferes and the House
prevents the counting by adjournment.
Caleb Gushing says that the President
would hold over till his successor shall
De chosen, which is contingency the
House will not be likely to invite. Sup
pose the House insists that the twenty
second joint rule is still in fNrce, and
under its terms proceeds to throw out
the votes Of Louisiana and Florida. The
Senate may protest and appeal. But to
what tribunal can it refer the case? The
Supreme Court has not authority in the
premises. 1t Is obvious that the situa-
tion is beset with difficulties, and it will
be fortunate for the country ii it es.
capes from the emergency without
trouble.
New York World, Dem.
The Sherman manifesto, in order TO
make partisan hit at the Tweed Ring,
as if the former existence Of that justi-
fed the Packard Ring, says it would
have been improper for Loulsianians to
interfere in the canvassing of New York
votes in 1868. And SO it would, because
there could be appeal from it to our
courts, where everything would have
been exposed TO daylight, but not so is
it in Louisiana. The manifesto insists
that the New Orleans Board has judi
cial power, buC if it has, there is, ac-
cording to the Giant observers. no judi
cial appeal to any power, national or
State, from its decisions.
But the most startling thing in the
document Is the deliberate declaration
that only the President of the Senate
can verify anu declare the Electoral
votes, ana that his functions therein are
"merely ministerial or clerical" So
there is no power in our Federal Gov
ernment to inquire into and deal with
fraud or Illegality in the electoral cer-
titicates, lists or votesp Should the evil
dence be that Sheridan had caught
Hayes electors, and had coerced or in
timidated them in secret by the bay
onets and pistols OF his troops to sign
and forward against their will lists of
votes for TiIden, and this were conclu-
sively proven, yet, according to Sherman
and StOughton, the President of the Sem
ate and the Federal Government must
declare the vote for Tildenl Out upon
such nonsensei
New York Tribune, Ind. Repl
"Giye us something, quickI Give US
Tilden, or give us Hayes; either, or
But be quick about It'll" So
some business men are crying. Aud
we, also, desire peace. There can be no
until things are settled. But
let us not deceive ourselves. We have
reached new departure. A disputed
Presidential election, with open threats
Of resistance by supporters of one can
diuate II le lS Iop counted ip," will
never be settled by the tem6Srizefs who
cry "Giye us anybody, so tnat we can 90
on with business" Anybody will mean
nobody, if we are not prepared to insist
upon honest enforcement of law and
instant obedience to law. Let desper-
ate men, VINO have staked every thing ON
the result of this election, under
stand that there is disposition to &C
quiesce in anything for the sake Of quiet,
aud there will inevitably be an attempt
TO substitute coup d'etat for law. Al
ready there has come threat to refuse
TO lawfully chosen Electors;
The next step might be the rejection OF
tbe vote of some State, aud the next a
pretended election by the House. Des.
oerate politicians will 80 just as far as
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