The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-03

priaons OF money are regulated, not by the Com no
Council but by Board oil four persons, OF whom only
one Is chosen by the people Tho distribution OF ad-
mnistratlve and legislative powers Is imperfect aud
uncertain. An outgoing Mayor has power To appoint
In cases. subordinate administrative officers for
term exceeding that of the incoming Mayor. or Tho
enormous debt resting upon tho city, as learn from
OF the Commissioners. the amount OF $S5 900 900
has been created by direct action OF the State Legisa
ture without being asked for approved by the Com
mon Council 81 the city or the Board OF Supervisors OF
the county, or by Its taxpayers or its people.
CORRUPT MONEY ELEcrioNs.
The constitution and laws OF this State contain many
very stringent and excellent provisions for securing
the purity Of tho ballot box and preventing the cor
thoy innict upon those criminals who violate them
very severe II Is, however, apparent that In every
important election the laws upon this subject are
grossly violated or evaded. | recommend thorough
re-examination and revision OF them with Wow Of
rendering convictions more certain and with additional
and severer penalties So vitality important Is the
preservation OF the purity OF elections TO tho perma-
neut existence OF form OF government that IN my
opinion, any man who buysor sells vote should be
forever thereafter DISTINGUISHED and subjected to such
other penalties as will DO most likely to prevent the
commission Of tho crime.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The recent Presidential election threatens TO provo
an epoch OF solemn portent in our history. For the
held Tor President ana Vice President OF the United
States. the result remains subject OF controversy
been made and announced The two houses of Con.
gross have been heretofore repeatedly required
upon the authenticity and validity OF electoral votes,
but IN no former instance has the election turned upon
the Questionable votes. In every former the
suit has been determined by electoral votes which
were not In controversy.
In situation involving such momcntous results as
the Chief Magstracy OF this Republic all the baser
well better forces OF society are naturally EN-
batted to secure the prize IL Is in such crises OF
history that the controlling force OF cardinal prnci
pies Is liable to be weakened dangerous concessions
to be made, pcrous presidents established, sacred
traditions violated and the most important bulwarks
OF constitutional freedom rendered less
In Louisiana We have seen a State government i'm
posed on the people by the military force Of the
federal Executive, under color of pretended order of
federal judge which order IN Itself void, and
which led 10 the resignation Of the judge who 1t,
TO escape impeachment
pause here in this statement to interpose, in DO
hall Of the people OF this great Commonwealth, SOL
emn denial OF the power OF any State government
OF the federal government TO such powers
claimed by the Louisiana Returning Board in any
vassng board Whatever.
In Florida have seen board of State canvassers,
soemny adjudged by the highest cour, Of the State
possess none but ministerial powers assume the
authority TO reverse the choice Of electors shown
on the lace OF the returns made by the officers who
conducted the elections and received the votes; and to
do this in open disobedience and contempt OF the judi
cial tribunal having jurisdiction such matters aud
vested with The right OF ina judgment
In South Carolina we have the Board of State
Carvassers abricating in like disobedience
and contempt OF the Supreme Court having jursdc-
ton ana tho right OF final judgment; have fed
era soldiery take possession OF the Capitol OF the
State, and corporal at the door detcrmini ing who
were the elect OF the people and who to be per-
mitted to represent Them as Legislators Notwith-
standing some OF these acts have been dIsavowed by
the federal Executive no mark OF disappr obation has
been put upon the authors OF the ourages the officer
In command goes still unrcbuked, and when the Re-
turning Board were committed to prison contempt
by the highest court in the State Judge OF the
United States District Court is sent down To South
Carolina and without Jurisdiction IN the grants
writ OF habeas corpus and discharges the offenders
The constitution OF tho United States confers upon
the President OF the Senate no power whatever In re-
spect TO the counting of the electoral votes except n
presence OF the Senate and House OF Representatives
to ''open all the certificates which may be transmit
ted by the colleges 10 the seat of government directed
to him.
The constitution confers upon the President OF tho
Senate no power to determine the authenticity aud
validity OF an electoral vote, or TO Interfere any wise
with any such question.
No President OF the Senate has ever claimed or ex.
ercsed such power ut OF The twenty Presi.
dental elections that have occurred under
tuition.
The people Of the United States Will never consent
TO have their Representatives Congress stripped OF
these powers or tolerate this usurpution by deputy
OF the Senate by any single person. and still less by
an officer who Is frequently Interested as candidate
In the result OF the count
In this sentiment aud purpose tho State or New
York cordially concurs Foremost among all our
American Commo wealths In population, in the va
riety extent OF her indus interests she
has every vicssitude OF public affairs put forth all
her strength. moral and physical 10 MAINTAIN the cx-
istence and the just authorities OF the Union and she
consent that the time met bod
OF constitutional government shall be suppiantcd or
overthrown by revolutionary expedents