The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-12-15
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

The electoral votes cast in the several
states on Wednesday foot up 205 for Samuel
j. Tilden. The electors of Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky,
Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas land
one elector of each of the states OF Vermont
aud Oregon, casting 2o5 votes, voted for
Samuel j. Tilden.
In both Vermont and Oregon, one Re-
publican elector was ineligible by reason of
holding the Office Of postmaster. The Con-
stitution of the United States expressly de-
clsres that no person holding an Office of
trust or profit under the United States shall
be appointed an elector. There seems to be
difference of opinion as to whether a va
cancy exists under such circumstances, which
can be filed. Gov, Grover Of Oregon, holds
that there is no vacancy and gives the
grounds of his action in refusing the certifi-
cate Of election to the Republican post-mas-
ter and giving it to the Democratic elector
having the Highest number of votes. After
reciting tlia facts of the case he says:
II was ruled, in the case, that where the
objection to an applicants right to receive n
certificate rests upon the ground that a con-
stitutional prohibition is interposed, the Gov
ernor, acting under oath to support the con-
stitution,is bound to entertain and determine
the question not only that, but is to deter
mine in such a way as to enforce the con-
stitutional mandate to the extent of his exe-
cutive power. 1t was also held that the
law and the fact being well known, the votes
cast for the ineligible candidate cannot
be 20 med for any other purpose
anil the eligible candidate having
the next highest number of votes
was duly elected This ruling was based
upon standard authorities, such AS Gushing
and Grant the decisions of many courts,
like the Supreme Court and the Court OF
Appeals of New York the latter uniform
practice in the United States House of Rep.
resentatives, and the great weight Of Eng
lish authorities, both parliamentary and
judicial.
The law of Oregon providing for filling va
cancies inithe Electoral Colleges recognizes a
vacancy only in cases where there has been
an incumbent and such incumbent has died,
refused to act neglected to attend or is other
wise absent. In this case there was no in
cumbent, unless the next highest candidate
should take the position, and there was no
vacancy which could be filled by the other
members of the Electoral College The
constitution of the United States was there
fore, certified to be duly elected.
This action on the part of Governor Grow
er, places the Republicans in an absurd po
sition. They and their organs have been
conteuding that Congress has no right to
throw out the votes of States where certif-
Gates of election have been given by the
proper authority. If this rule is observed
then the one Democratic elector from Ore
gen having the Governors certificate is n
legal elector and his vote elects Tilden. If,
on the contrary, the Republicans recede from
their own rule and throw out the Oregon
elector, the door is open and the votes Of
Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida will
20 out too and Tilden will be elected. What
Is good law for the Southern States
mentioned ought to be goo law for
Oregon. It's a bad lookout for the
Republicans and the beauty of the sit
uation lies in the fact that the Republicans
have gotten themselves into it. The organs,
however, with unblushing effrontery are
now engaged in a series of highly moral pro-
testations against fraud and chicanery. II
there is anything on earth that can make
the average Republican organ grinder
sshame of bimself-it hasn't been discov-
cred.