The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-02-09
THE FLORIDA DECISION.


The court itself is composed of eminent
lawyers, and the most distinguished
attorneys OF the land are engaged as
counsel. As the final decision will turn
upon the the technical quibbles it is
natural to expect war OF legal wit, un-
surpassed in the history of this or any
other country. The prize being the
presidency of great nation, the whole
country will anxiously await the. result
OF this game of legal chess.
The President of the Senate having
delivered to the Commission the three
sets OF returns from Florida, as matter
of course that body will decide which, if
any, to accept as the proper certificates.
The first is the HAYES certificate certi-
fed to by Governor Stearns, and resting
on canvass made by majority of the
Florida Csnvassing Board. A second
is from the TILDEN electors under q
canvass msde by a minority of the
Board; and third is the certificate of
the TILDEN electors under canvass
authorized by an act of the Florida Leg
islature, and made by full Canvassing
Board on the principles laid down by
the Supreme Court of Florida in its re.
cent decision in the DREW case. 1t is
believed by the Democrats that sutti-
cient evidence accompanies that
certificate as part of the record, to show
that it is the legal and true return. The
Commission will first decide which OF
those certificates to accept as the legal
vote of the state. We all know which
covers the true and honest vote of the
people of Florida, but the Commission
having narrowed its jurisdiction toquib.
bles, it may be possible that no attention
will be paid to the decision OF state
court, and will make up its verdict upon
the general principle Of political ne
cessity, in accordance with the personal
wishes of the majority and count HAYES
in.
While it is true that no point may be
made against HUMPHREYS, the HAYES
elector from Floriday whose eligibility is
questioned, yet there is something gained
bv the Democrats in this decision. Mr..
EvARTs in his argument claimed
that Returning Boards certificate cur
ed such ineligibility; but in this matter
the Commission sets EvARr' theory
aside, and to that exte goes behind the
certificates. The advantages in this de-
termination of the Commission is appar-
emily in favor OF the Democrats as far as
relates to the Oregon elector, and may
make TILDEN the next President under
the decision of the National Returning
Board. If MIR. TILDEN has no other
claim to the Presidency than this one
Oregon vote, we thinkit would be better
to give it to HAYES, than that we should
win by any such subterfuge.
There is point, however. decided by
this High Commission which is COM
plete yindication of doctrise underly-
| ing the Democratic faith since the for.
melton of tie government and one upon
which the opp POSITION have always antsg-
onlzed US, and that is the rights of the
States under the Constitution. If the
Republican party had recognized the
correctness of the principle laid down by
this interlocutory judgment of the High
Commission twenty years ago, then all
the blood and horrors of the last fifteen
years would have been spared US, and We
would have gone forward as united
country to higher degree of prosperity
than our widest dreams have ever con-
ceived
But for the interference of the Federal
government in the affairs of the South
ern States ten years ago, the nation
would not now be Inundated by the in
fsmies of carpet bag State government
in Florida and Louisiana. If it had not
been for the arbitrary and unconstitu.
tionsl interference of the Federal execu-
tive four years ago, toe State
authorities OF Louisiana would have
been of such character as to have
sent up q true and honest return Of the
vote in that State in the last election.
And but for the same usurpation and in-
reference t 70 months ago the rsscally
returning boards would not have had the
audacious temerity to change the face
OF the returns and certify to false
count. 1t is better late than never, but
it would have been more gratifying II
the Republicans had recognized the fact
that the acts of States as States, are to
be respected without Federal interfer-
ence, long ago, and thus all suspense
and distress would have been avoided.
If We lose the Presidency We have
gained what is of more infinite import
snce to the Democratic party, full and
complete vindicstion OF the soundness OF
its principles.
FIFTY thousand workmen engaged IN
silk manufacture at Lyons, in France
have been thrown out Of employment.
1h,;r oon6;t,op ia 81 nltiahle "a to