The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-01-27
The Electoral Bill.

The Electoral BILL
The Electoral Bill framed and approved by the
conference or compromise committee, intended to
provide for counting the Presidential vote in the
Electoral College, is now before Congress and at
tracing general attention. Our readers are al
ready advised of its general provisions which show
a departure from the mode hitherto adopted in
making such count consonant, rs generally be-
ieved, with constitutional requirements. In the
great anxiety to have this momentous problem
amicably adjusted and all trouble incident thereto
set aside, so that our country can realize wanted
peace and return to business prosperity, there
seems to be preponderanco of sentiment record
less of partizansm, in its favor. Leading news
papers throughout the country and able statesmen
on each political side including also business men,
are anxious for the bill to pass. Almost without
an exception this class of the community, so far as
expression has been given to its sentiment accords
with the proposition. So strong, indeed, has be-
come the pressure for some fair settlement of the
question, that ne believe the plan now before Con-
gress, with, perhaps, some amendments, will be
speedily adopted. Misunderstanding is that itcan
cOuntenance no unfairness to either side, allowing
of no undue advantage whereby extremists can
gain self-ambitious ends.
In n strictly legal, constitutional point of view,
obedient also to established precedent, we believe
Mr.. Hayes entitled to the one majority of the Elec
toral College, as constitutionally returned by the
several States, which would fairly make him Pres
ident. The prioa fdcie evidence is likewise all in
his favor. There is but one legitimate or consti-
tutiOnal mode of counting the electoral vote, and
that by the President of the Senate. That vote,
as is now known, when counted according to the
authorities returning it, must give Mr.. Hayes 9
majority. As this makes q very strong point,
particularly With such jurists-mcmbers Of the
Supreme Court-in case the bill passes, great
weight must attach thereto. These wise, unbiased,
far-seeing interpreters of constitutional law and
expounders of the constitution will, doubt feel
most inclined to keep within constitutional limits,
even though Irregularities might otherwise appear.
If at all actuated by mere artiZanism-whicb We
should depricate-then their proclivities would
bend towards Republicanism, possibly moro than
Democracy, and there being majority attached
to the Republican party, it might be supposed Mr..
Hayes would profit thereby. Such thing, how
ever, is not to be contemplated. The questions to
be decided in reference to this matter mixed
ones of both law and fact and the decisions thereon
must command the respect and appreciation of o
confding people who love their country more than
they regard mere men political favorites We
fully agree with Il Philadelphia contemporary
which ardently supported Mr. Hayes for the Pres
idcncy, in saying:
1--WE desire to see Mr.. Hayes next President of
the United States, but do not desire to him at
tempting to run the Executive department of the
Government for the next four years with very
considerable majority of the people Of the country
firmly impressed with the belief that he is q usur
per, who by fraud and force, has been given 81
office to which he is not reasonable grounds en-
titled. We do not wish to see Mr.. Hayes occupy
ing any such position as this for his own sake for
the sake Of the country for the sake of the Ro-
pnblican party. The Republican party undoubt-
ely represents in u very much larger measure
than does the Democratic the best and most intel
ligent patriotism Of the nation; it has q great
wok vet to do and the best interests of the cOup-
try demand that this work shall be done, aud that
the organization of the party shall be kept intact
until there is no longer clear necessity for its
istence. To force Mr.. Hayes into tho Presidential
chair without having his claims passed upon by
some tribunal that will command public respect
and public confidence would be sinply digging
INC grave Vi INC hepuUIlchn p<ity, anu tue Dciu-
ocrats would carry the next election by such over
whelming majorties that tbs Republican party
would practically be wiped out Of existeuce.-
There is good reason to dread the dOings and mis-
dOings Of Democratic administration, but the
very worst that Mr.. Tiden and his hackers eau
possibly do during term of four years with the
Executive department of tho Government upder
their control, would not begin to work the damage
to the best interests of the nation and to tho Re
publican party, as will four year usurpahOp by
Mr.. Hayes"
We arc nevertheless, confident that, in case the
Electoral Bill becomes law, its being strictly ad-
hered will insure the triumphant and peaceful in
auguration of Mr.. Hayes on the fifth of March
next. With such result, coming as it would
through fair, honorable compromise, there could
be no subsequent fault-fnding, any more than if
the Chief Magistracy, by the same instrumental
ties, foil to Mr.. Tlden. 1t is ours to anticipate
favorable results, not that love Caesar less but
Rome more.