Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-09
nrUvAN DRrA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER

Tie difficulties that have arisen have been
caused by tue Illegal and fraudulent practices OF
the canvasslng boards 10 somc OF the States,
and the Only mode Of cxtrlcatlug the country
from the dangers that impcrl our institutions
IS By q firm adhcrc1ce 10 the cardinal principles
of the constitution and strict observance OF
the long established precedents 90 such coca
sions.
SecoEd. That the right 10 count the eccicra!
votes and the right 10 determine the authenti-
city or validity Of any vote belongs exclusively
to tie two Houses Of Congress, and this right to
count the vote conferred on the two Houses OF
Congress BIZ the constitution empowers them to
pass all laws and rules necessary and proper to
carry the granted power into effect, ADD 10 tie
exercise of this power, heretofore the mode OF
procedure has been invariably regulated BY con-
current resolution or standing rules adopted by
the Two Houses before the count. Such
has been the official exposition Of tue consttu-
ton and the invsriabe practice OF the govern
ment which has been deliberately adopted,
uniformly acted upon and invariably accepted.
Third, That should the two Houses be uoa,
| biz TO agree upon mode OF procedure, aud
thereby unable to declare which of the caDdl
! dates has been constilut.onaily elected by the
| people, then the contingency contemplated and
provided for by the constitution Will have ans
en-, when it vii! be the duty .! the House OF
| Representatives 10 elect President from the
three parsons having The highest number Of
votes, and the person thus chosen Will be the
lawful and cousIi.utionaliy elected President OF
the United States.
Fourth, The constitution OF tie United States
c,nfcrs upon the President Of the Senate 10
power whatever in respect 10 The cou0urg OF
| the electoral rote, and requires him simply, IN
the presence OF the two Houses, 10 open all the
certificates which may be transmitted b. the
colleges directed to him, aud no President OF
the Senate has ever claimed or exercised !
power at any time at any OF the Presidential
elections under our constitution, aud the eGer-
| else OF such 4 power on the part OF the fres!'
dent OF the Senate would be 4 usurpauon, IN
violation OF the constitution AID the uniform
practice under it, destructive OF the liberties OF
the people, aud should be firmly resisted by all
lawful means necessary aud adequate TO pre-
serve our Tree institutions.
Fifth, That the claim propoundcd and ezer-
ciscd by the returning boards Of suodry States
TO manipulate the votes of their fellow citizens,
50 as to di.franchise, without Law or excuse,
many Thousands OF people, is 40 assumption Of
authority, which ii acuuiesced IN, places the
rights and liberties of the citizens at the mercy
! Of partizan organizations which have often
proved to be equally corrupt and Irresponsible
Sixth, That 10 view Of the b7e interval that
will capse before this threatened dagger may
arise we call upon the Legislature Of the State,
representing the whole people OF Eirgl nia, to
declare 10 firm AMI uDmistakable tones the SEN
timents Of their constituents on the grave ques
lions now actatIng the country.
VERMONT.
MONTPELIER, VI, Jan. "A large num-
Der OF prominent democrats, representing
nearly every county in the STATE, met IN com.
papy with the State committee las: night, aud
adopted lengthy series Of resolutions touch
ing the presidential controversy, sustaining the
action Of Congress 10 seodiog investigating
committees to Florida, Louisiana and South
Carolina, and insisting on the RICH! Of Congres:
10 determine the electoral vote.
OREGON.
SAN FRANCIsCo, Jan. "a Salem. Oregon
dispatch reports a large and enthusiastic meet
Ing there. Appropriate resolutions were
| adop,cl