South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-02-02
Message Of the President-H His
Approval ofthe ELECTORAL Bill.

- -'''e3 's.c SfcS-Ot%i DA4. tt-sbSiAs~N,N ~
Congress to-day:
70 lie .Ses,ofe ofihe Oi..ts,l St,sies: I
follow the example heretofore occasions
ally prcsentedsof communicating in this
! mode my approval al the act 10 proyldo
Tor aud regulate the counting ofthe vote
for President aud President. and
the decision ofquestions arising thereon.
because of my appreciation OF the immi-
ncnt peril 10 the institutions OF the
country. from which. in ms judgment.
The act affords n wise and constitutional
Deans oicscslc.
For the frat tina In the history al
onf coantry, under the Constitution as
it non IS. u dispute exists with regard
| 70 tho result OF The election or the Chief
Magistrate Of The nation, 1: ia under
stood that upon tho disposition OF dis
pntes touching the electoral votes east
1t the late election by one or more OF
the States depends the question whether
one or tho other of the candidates for
the Presidency is the lawful Chset Mag.
istrate. Tie Importance OF having
clearly asccrtained by procedure regu-
lated by law which Of the two citizens
| has been elected anu OF having the
right OF this hich officer recognized and
! cheerrully agreed in BY al The peop!e
| Of tho republic cannot bc oycres,imated,
and LEAFS nc 10 express TO Congress
| and 10 tho nation my great satisfaction
| at the adoption OF measure that ar-
! foris an orderly means OF decision OF a
grasely exciting question.
While the history Of our country in
its earlier period shows that the Presi-
dent of the Senate has counted the votes
and declared their standing, our whole
history shows that in no instance OF
donos or dispute has hc exercised the
power OF deciding, and that the two
Houses OF Congress have disposed of all
such doubts and disputes, although in
no instance hitherto have they been such
that their decision conld essentially have
affected the result. For the first time.
then, the Government of the United
states Ia now brought TO meet the qres-
ton rs ono vital to the result. and this
under conditions not the best calculated
TO produce an agreement. or TO induce
calm feeling IN the several branches OF
the Government or among the people of
the country. In case, where. "a now
the result is involved, it is the highest
duty of the law-mal,ing power TO pro-
vide in advance constitutional orier-
~, and just method OF excectinr the
Constitution in this most interesting
and critical or its provisions. The do
lng 50, far from being compromise OF
right, IS an enforcement of right aud nm
execution OF powers conferred by the
f'Qn in CAncra -,
orderly method has been secured hv tho
bill, which, appealing t. the Constitu-
ton and the law IS the gniie in ascer-
tanning right, provides a means ofde-
Gliding questions Of single returns
through the direct action OF Congress.
AID IN respect % doablc returns. bv y
tribunal Of inquiry ,Hl. osc decisions shall
stand unless both llouse3 of Con1ress
shall concur in determining Otherwise.
thus securing dehnitc disposition Of
all question: Of dispute, in whatever cs-
pccL they may arise.
With or without this law. as all ortht
States have voted, and rs a tie vote is
impossible, it must be that one OF the
two candidates has been elected. and It
would he deplorable 20 witness an IT..
regular controversy az 90 which of the
two should receive. or Which should
continue 20 hold the Office. Tn oil peri.
ods Of history controversies have arisen
as TO the successful choice OF the chiefs
OF states. and no party or citizens lovinr
their country and It's institutions can
sacrifice too much of mere rcciirr ~
preserving through the upright course OF
law their country from tho smallest dan.
ger to It's peace ON suclr ~ occ7sior. and
3. cannot be Impressed toe frmly ia the
hearts OF al! the people thai true liberty
and real progress can exist only through
4 cheerful adherence to constitutional
law.
The bill purports to provide only Cor
the settlement cfquestjons arisipg from
TIC recent elections. The fact tia, such
questions can arise demonstrates the
necessity, which I cannot d0u5t viii be.
fore long be supplied, permaucut gen.
erai legislation to meet eases whiciEhva
not been contemplated in the Constifu
ton or laws Of the countr". The bin
may not be perfect, and It's provision
may not be such as wOuld he best appii
cable 90 all future occasions. but Il "a
calculated to meet Inc present condition
Of the questions and ogthc country.
The country is agitated. Itncclsnid
It desires peace and quiet and harmony
| between al parties and all sections. -
Its industries nre arrested. labor uucm
. pioyed, capital idle. and enterprise par
alyzed by reason Of the doubt and anx
. icty attending the uncertainty OF dlu
+ h!e claim % the Chief Magisirarr OF tho
. nation Il want5 90 be assured That The
result Of the election will bc accented
withou. resistance from tho supporter.
/ % The disappointed candidate. and tla'
+ is highestoi shall not hold bis place
with questioned title OF right Be
+ Loving that tbe bill will secure these
ends, give 10 my signature.
L s.. GEtST.
Executive Mansion, Jan. ~. 1871
80 Ju.ticc Davis will accep, the Ill