Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-02-14
Z: l. I::C77' e u

--lhe Irand COMMISSION To count
the Electoral vote have decided not tC
admit evidence collected by the Com
mittees appointed by Congress anC
sent into Florida, Louisiana and So
Carolina at great expense to the
country. What were those Commit
tees sent for ifthe testimony of frauds
| in these States will not be admitted
Democrats supposed when this Com
mission was formed that it would
take every means possible TO get at
fair counting, but they were deceived,
and We have Il majority of the Com
mission - nil Republicans - giving
their first vote to sustain fraud by
not going behind the returns Of the
rascally Returning Boards in the
States named. If Returning Boards
ale the highest courts in this country,
and it would appear SO from this deci-
sion, it is about tina TO drop the cur
tain, put out the foot lights, and call
the play ended. and every man take
his revolver, and go it as long rs he
can, and call it that might IS right"
We had q better opinion than this a
few weeks ago Of the Supreme Court
Judges. The Florida case is not end.
ed at present writing, rs there is Il
contested case Of . Hayes cIector aud
the majority voted 10 investigate,
Judge Bradley voting for ii with the
Democrats. it is likely that the
State viii be counted for Hayes. The
case Of Louisiana is different from
Florida, as the Returning Board is
proved corrupt from stem to gudgeon,
and an illegal body at that this State
gave 10000 majority for Tilden,
which can be fully proved by honest
Republicans who have Investigated
matters. But what is this to u pvti-
soa Commission If they will not
admit testimony how are they going
to get over the returns from Oregon ?
Tina. is the question. We hope foc
better things from the Commission,
and do not give up the election Of Mr..
Tilden yet. But if the Republicans
on the Commission continue to vote
as they commenced We would advise
the Democrats to withdraw from the
body. All we ask is that Justice may
be done in this matter; if we can't
have it, we are ready to "wade in"
to Returning Boards and things.
The n. Y. Herald Of the Sth says
-,"An important point in the Presi-
dental inquest was determined by the
Judgment Of the Commission render
ed yesterday. In the immediate
eagelness to know the practical con-
sequence OF any decision in this case
opinions of that consequence are
reached by Every hasty processes, and
opinions Of this sort already contcm-
plate this Judgment :as point gained
for the Republican candidate, and we
hear, consequently, Of the discourage
ment Of the Democrats. Evidently
this Interpretation is assisted by the
fac that all the known Democrats on
the Commission were against the
decision made, and all the known Re
publicans in favor. But the consider
alton Of the party affiliations of the
members should not be deemed i'm
portant when other good reasons than
those of party faith may be given for
the Judgment, and when, indeed, it is
not certain that the final effect will be
such as thus hastily conceived. 1t is
not certain that the decision given,
viewed in all its possible applications,
will be advantageous to Hayes. -
The Herald considers that under
this ruling the Oregon case assumes
grave Importance.
The New York World deyotes a
two column editorial to prove that the
Commission should go behind the
returns, of the Returning Boards
The n. Y. Sun says the Commission
has no Constitutional or Judicial
powers, and it had better adjourn
sine die. The Boston Post is hope
fu'. The action of the Commission
does not affect our ROOSTER a bit
If the Commission count Hayes in
by a strict partisan vote, it will not
alter the fact that SAMUEL J. TILDEN
was elected by the people, and the
Democrats will take an apDeal.