Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-02-03
and that the highest officer shall not hold

and that the highest officer shalt not hold
his place with o questioned title OF right.
The message also alludes to the imminent
peril the country has escaped through the
adoption of the act. The document fur
Their declares that in no instance had the
President of TIE Sezctc exercised the
power of deciding the disputed election
returns. In such case as this, where the
result is involved in doubt, it is the duty
of the law-making power to provide In ad-
vance lawful mode of settling the dill
Guilty One of the two candidates must
have been elected, and it would be de-
plorable sight to witness a controversy as
to which should receive or hold the office.
No party or citizens loving their couatry
can sacrifice too much in preserving their
country Law, liberty and progress can
only exist through cheerful obedience to
constitutional law. The bill is calculated
to Nee. the present question. The coun
try requires peace and harmony between
all sections.
The following is the text of the Presi
dents message concerning the electoral
bill:
follow the example heretofore occa-
sionally presented of communicating IN
this mode my approval of an act to provide
for and regulate the counting OF the votes
for President and Vice President and the
decision of questions arising thereon,
because of my apprehension OF the immi-
ncnt peril to the institutions of the coun-
try, from which, in my judgment, it affords
a wise and constitutional means of escape.
For first time in the history of our country
under the constitution as it now is, dis
pute exists with regard to the result of an
election for Chief Magistrate of the ma
ton. 1t is understood on the disposition
Of disputes touching the electoral votes
cast at the late election by one or more OF
the States depends the question whether
one or the other of the candidates for
President is the lawful Chief Magistrate.
The importance of having clear
ly asccrtained by procedure regula-
ted by law. which of the two citizens has
been elected, and of having the right to
this high office, recognized and cheerfully
agreed in by all the people of the Re
public cannot be Ovcrestimated, and leads
me to express to Congress and the nation
my great satisfaction at the adoption OF a
measure that affords an orderly means of
deciding gravely exciting questions.
While the history of our country in its
earlier period shows that the President OF
the Senate has counted the votes and de-
clared the standing, our whole history
shows that in no instance of doubt or dis
putc has he exercised the power of decid-
ing, and the two houses of Congress has
disposed of all such disputes, although
in no instance hitherto have they heen
such that their decision could essentially
affect the result. For the first time then
the government of the United States is
hrn,..rl,t IN fap fI;c f,nnciinn g
one evil to result in others, under condi-
tons not the best calculated TO produce
agreement or induce calm feeling in the
several branches of the government or
among the people of the country in case
the highest duty of the law making power
to provide in advance constitutional,
orderly and just method of executing the
Constitution in this most interesting and
critical clause of its provisions. The DO
ing so, far from being compromise of
right, is the enforcement of right and an
execution of power conferred by the Con-
stitution on Congress. think this order.
ly method has been secured by this bill,
which, appealing to the Constitution and
law as guide in ascertaining the rights,
provides means of deciding questions Of
single returns through the direct action of
Congress, and in respect to double returns
by a tribunal of inquiry whose decisions
stand unless both houses of Congress
shall concur in determining otherwise,
thus securing definite disposition of
all questions of dispute, in whatever
aspect they may arise with or with
out this law. AS all of the
States have voted, and as tic vote Is i'm
possible, it must be that one of the candi>
dates has been elected; it would be de-
plOrable to witness an irregular cOntrOver-
sy as TO which of the two should receive
or which should continue to hold the Of
fee. In all periods of our history, no
controversy has arisen as to the succession
or choice Of chiefs of States, and no party
or citizen who love their country and its
free institutions can sacrifice too much of
mere feeling in preserving the upright
force Of the law, their country from
the smallest danger to its peace on
such occasions, and it can not be
impressed too firmly on the hearts of all
the people that true liberty and real pro-
gress can exist through truthful adher-
ence to the constitutional law. The bill
purpOrts to provide only for settlement
Of questions arising from the recent cleo
tions. The fact that such questions
can arise. demonstrates the necessity
which can not doubt, will before
long be supplied by permanent general
legislation to methods which have not
been contemplated in the constitution or
laws of the country. The bill may not be
perfect and its provisions may not be such
as would be best applicable to all future
occasions; but it is calculated to meet the
present condition of questions and of the
country. The country is agitated; itnceds
and it desires peace and quiet and harmo-
ny between all parties and all sections.
Its Industries are arrested, labor unem-
ploycd, capital idle and enterprise para
iyzed by reason of doubt, anxiety and un.
certainty of double claim to the chief
magistracy of the nation. 1t wants 20 be
assured of the result of the election. 1t
will be accepted without doubt from the
supporters Of the disappointed candidate
and that its highest officer shall not hold
his place with quest Toned title of right.
Believing the bill will secure these ends
give it my signature. U. s. GRANT.
Mcdonald Pardoned.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 30.-Gen. John Nc
Donald, Of whisky fraud frame, received
an unconditional pardon yesterday, and
was Immediately released from the peni
Tertiary at Jefferson City.