The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-01-22

hA2H S~AA
The bill reported by the joint commit
tee on counting the electoral vote is the
all absorbing topic of public discussion.
Every one feels that We have fallen upon
perilous times, and having looked for
ward to the committee for q solution OF
the grave problems presented to the
country, it is but natural that the public
mind should eagerly discuss the result OF
their work. There is q manifest disposi-
tion to accept the report as the best posi-
BILE thing to be done at this time, yet it is
..udeniable that but little enthusiasm
is excited on its behalf, and mary are
yielding it very sulen support. Mr..
EDMUNDs. who doubtless did as much If
not more than any member of the com.
mittee to bring about the compromise, is
earnest in its support. On the other hand,
Mr.. MORTON was violent in his opposi-
ton to it, and it now depends on which
o! those two eminent leaders can con-
troll the Republican party whether or not
the bill will pass. Mr.. EDMUNDs has the
advantage OF possessing the confidence
of the better class OF people OF both
political parties, while on the other
hand Mr.. MORTON in addition to his
usual bull dog tenacity. and forcible style
of driving the weaker leaders into his
way VI thinking, for once in his life has
the Constitution on his side. At least
there are grave doubts in the minds OF
many of the advocates OF the measure as
to its constitutionslity. This is the point
Mr.. MORTON is making, and it does seem
little queer to see the great Indiana
bull-dozer fighting bill upon constitu-
tional grounds. Yet the Devil has been
charged with using scriptural argument,
and so it may be possible for NOR
TON to find constitutional objections to
bill in Congress. II is understood
that Senators THURMAN and BAYARD
will follow Mr.. EDMUSDs in support OF
the bill, but we do not know what reasons
they will assign for their advocacy OF 1t.
While 1t is probable that the bill will
be passed, it will not be its merits alon'
which will insure its support. 1t will
be agreed to MS y matter OF cxpedie ncy
and many who will vete fer it will pro-
test against it as matter OF principle.
Mr.. HEWITT assumes that the public
good is the first great law and that the
united Judgment OF the two pollti
cal parties must be accepted
as the best Interpretation of wnst
constitutes the public good. Taking
this view of it. men OF Mr.. HEwITTs
way of thinking will support 1t. An
other strong force which will be brought
10 bear to secure the passage OF the bill
Is the bondholding interest. The bond
holders want decision-a final deci-
sion-let the result be what it may,
rather than to jeopardize the value Of
their bonds. Past experience teaches
US that this influence is powerful in
shaping legislation. Still there are a
few persons Of this class who oppose
il. The venerable Washington banker,
Mr.. ". W. CoRooRAN does DOT en-
dorse it, and is reported as saying:
They talk about bonds, the public
credit, and say the solution is best which
endangers them least. l have bonds;
but if il becomes q choice between peace
10 preserve them, and civil war to pre-
serve the Constitution, l, for one, should
be glad for such a purpose to see my
bonds devoted TO the use of wall paper,
Mr.. CoRcoRAN Is one Of those philsn-
throphic statesmen who have but little
in fiuence with the class he represents, and
will find his views antagonized by the
majority of bondholders. So 1t may be
set down that notwithstanding the obec-
tions made TO it, the bill will be passed
BY Congress, and the Presidency deter
mined by CHANCE.