The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-02-09

WASHINGTON, ID. O., Jan. 20. The fol-
owing Is the text OF the Presidents mes
sage concerning the Electoral bill:
10 me Senate Of me United states.
follow the example heretofore occasionally
presented Of communicating Ina this mode my
approval Of AN act 70 provide for and regulate
the counting Of votes Tor President and Vice
President, and the decision Of questions arising
thereon, because Of my appreciation Of the in-
mincnt peril 70 the institutions Of the country
from which. in my Judgment. the act affords
wise and constitutional means Of cscape For
the first time In the hlstory Of our county under
The Constitution ~ ~ "a now, q dispute exists
with regard 70 the result Of the election of Chief
Magistrate Of the Union. II IL understood that
upon the disposition Of the disputes touching Tie
Electoral vote cast at the last election by one or
the other Of the candidates Tor the Presidency il
the lawful Chief Magistrate. The importance q
having clearly ascertained BY procedure regu-
lated by law which Of two citizens has been elect
ed. and Of having the right 70 their high oficc
recognized and cheerfully agreed In By ali the
people Of the Republic can not be over estimated
Nation my great satisfaction at the adoption Of a
measure that affords an orderly means Of deci-
sion Of gravely exciting questions. While the
history % p our eoun.r y ~ Early period shows
the votes and declared their standing our whole
history shows that In no instance Of doubt or dis
that the two Houses Of Congress have disposed
Of all such doubts and disputes. although in no
instance hitherto have they been such that their
decision could have essentially affected the re-
suit. For the first time, then the Government Of
the United states Is now brought 70 meet ques-
ton one vital 10 the result. and this under
conditions net lest calculated 20 produce
several branches Of tho Government
or among the people OF the country. In 4
case, where. a. now, the result Is involved. IL is
provide in advance CONSTITUTIONAL orderly and
just method Of executing the Constitution. In
this most interesting and critical clause Of is
provisions, the bill, 80 far from being compro-
mise Of right. 10 an enforcement Of the right and
an execution OF the powers conferred by the Con-
stitution on Congress. think that this orderly
method has been secured by the bill, which, APP
pcaling TO the Constitution and law as guide in
asccrtaining rights. provides a means Of de-
Gliding questions Of single returns through
respect rS g double returns by tribunal 81 I'm
curry, whose decisions stand unless both Houses
Of Congress shall concur In determining other
WISE thus securing definite s disposition o. all
may arise. With or without this law, ne al of
the States have voted, and as the vote Is record.
ed. II must be that one Of the two candidates has
been elected, and IL would be- deplorablc
70 witness an irregular controversy rs 10
which Of the two should receive or which
should continue y hold the Office. In all records
Of history controversies have arisen as to sue
cesslon or choice OF Chiefs OF states, and no
party OF citizen loving their country and its
free Institutions can sacrifice too much OF mere
OF law, their country from the smallest dangerto
its peace on such an occasion, and II can not be
impressed too iirnly ON the hearts OF all people
that true liberty and real progress can epst only
through Il cheerful adherence 10 constitutional
law. The bill purports 60 provide only for The
settlement Of questions arising from recent cleo
tons. The fact that such questions can arise
demonstrates the neeessity-which, can not
doubt. will before long be suppiied-of psrma-
ncnt general legislation 20 meet cases which
have not been contempt lated in the Constitution
or laws Of the country. The bill may not be per-
feet. and its provisions may not be such as
would be best applicable 10 ali future occasions.
but IL IL calculated 20 meet the present condition
Of the question and Of the country. The country
IL agitAtsd, IL needs and desires peace
and quiet and harmony between all
parties and all sections; IT, industr es
are arrested. labor unemployed. capital
idle, and enterprise paralyzed, BY reason Of the
donbt and anxiety attending the uncertainty OF
double claim 20 the Chief Magistracy OF the Ma
ton. IL wants 10 he assured that the result OF
the election will be accepted without resistance
from the supporters OF the disappointed candi.
date, and thai its highest officer shall not hold
his place with questioned title Of right Be
heving that the bill will secure these ends, give
IL my signature.
lsigneal T.. ;. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January ~, 1877.