The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-02-01
THE PRESIDENCY.
Plan for the Amicable Adjustments OF t'ie
controversy.

A Plan for the Amicable Adjustments OF 1Ac {
controversy. {
The following is the report OF the
committees of the Senate anu
House of Representatives, appointed
under the several resolutions OF those
bodies to prepare and report such
measures as may be best calculated TO
accomplish the lawful counting OF the
electoral votes, and the best dispo-
sition OF all questions connected there
with, and due declaration OF the re-
suit. The commissioners say they
have considered the subject named IN
said resolution, and have had full ana
free conference with each other there
ON. and now report the accompanying
bin. and recommend its passage. =.
| we have applied the utmost pracs1'
cable study and deliberatlon TO the
subject. and believe that the Oil now
renorted is the best attainable dlspo-
elton of the different problems ana
disnuted theories arising out OF the
late election. It must be obvious 10
every person conversant with the his
tory of the country, and with the FORM
alton and Interpretation Of the cOnStl-
triton. that wide diversity OF views
and opinions touching the subject, not
wholly coincident with the bias or
wishes of members of the political
narties. would naturally exist. we
have in this state Of affairs CHOSEN.
therefore, not to deal with abstract
onestions. save so far ds they are nee
t nssarily involved in the legislation
: nroposed. 1t is, of course, plain that
e the report of bill implies that IN our
;, oninion legislation may be had on the
snhiect in accordance with the consti-
;, tuition, but we think that the Id" pro
posed is inconsistent with re" OF ehe
y principal theories upon the suoJecC.
0 The constitution requires that the
electoral votes shall be counted upon
particular occasion. All Will agree
, that the votes named in the constl'
" tution are the constitutional votes OF
10 the State and not others, and WheI
II they have been found and identified
s there is nothing left to be disputed OF
S. decided. All the rest is the mere
,s clerical work of summing up the mum
- hers. which, being done, the con
~ stiution itself declares the con
e sequences. This bill then is onl,
r. directed to ascertaining for tn
IN purpose and in the aid of counting
st what are the constitutional votes
~ tho resnectiye States, and whateve
~ Jurisdiction exists for such purposes
g. the bill only regulates the method Q
exercising it. The constitution, tn
II only GREAT instrument and security TO
a. liberty and order, speaks In ampies
ct language for all such cases, IN Wnate'
ot or aspect they may be presented.
ra declares that the Congress shall nav
- mower to make all laws which shall {
'.' necessary and proper for carrying INT
~ execution the foregoing powers anu a
en- other powers vested by the consul
"a ton in the government or the onale
ed States, or any department. OF once
,se thereof. The committee thereiol
80 think that the law proposed cannon
~ iust.y assaulted us uncenstltutlonai
ty. any one, and for this reason we tnlI
it unnecessary, whatever may De OF
LEI individual views, to discuss any OF u
ade theories referred to. Our ndellty
md the constitution is observed when
tin find that the law we recommend Is CO
ia sistent with that instrument. i
~. matter then being proper SUBJECT
gnu ecislation. the fitness Of the mea
ap- prOposed becomes the next suDJect
ady consideration. Upon this we beg lea
uns to submit few brief observations.
nds all just governments 49, Isod ord
,ou private rights must be defned ana
'oii' termined by the law. This IS essent
to the very idea of such a 2overnme
and is the characteristic distinct
Ore between free and despotic systei
1ro- However important it may be whetl
q of one citizen or another shall be On
, m Magistrate for period prescribed,
nm The lust theories of civil lnStl
CIV tions. it is of far greater moment t
uie' the will of the people, law1uuy
tive pressed in the choice OF that ON.
had shall be ascertained and carried
ores. effect in a lawful way.
oo,a It is true that in every operation
w a government the laws, from
Oh most trivial to the most import;
tates there will always be a possibility
the result reached will not be the
one, The executive officer may
.,o wisely perform his duty. The G.
wy NAV not truly decide the Jaw, ana
All legislature may not enact the
Arc law but in either case to resist
e, he act of the Executive, the Courts or
Bv Legislature acting colstitutionaliy
= ~ lawfully within their sphere. woul
y III to set up anarchy in place OF gov
enceo ment. We think, then. to pro
noun clear and lawful means OF perforI
o the this great and necessary functio
,ptain the government in time OF much
have lie dispute, is of far greater import
!. a'-s than the particular advantage tna'
nouis man or party may, in the cours
static events. possibly obtain;but we nave
endeavored to provide such lawful
cies of decision in the present ca
town, shall be the
blind MOST FAIR AND IMPARTIAL
$ con- possible under the circumsta
ship. Each of the branches CT the LIE
ed, all ture and the judiciary are repres,
ouses. in the tribunal in equal propor'
y era. The composition of the judiciary
! of the commission looks to seie
9t ouiy from d;fcront r,arts of the Rep