The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-02-01
SENATE.

Mr.. Morton, continuing his argument,
claimed that the Vice President was not
bound to open any fraudulent certificate
from State. If there should be half a
dozen packages from a State in his pos
session, he was not required to open them
all, but was only required to open that
package which came from the electors
As an officer Of the United States, he was
bound to take notice as to who was elect
ed electors by the States, and act upon
his intelligence, just as other public Off
GERS. There were two certificates from
Louisiana in the hands of the Vice Presi
dent. He was not required to open them
both. If he refused to open and present
the second return, how were they to be
got out of his possession2 If he refused
to open such return, was that a cause of
revolution? This bill conferred upon
the tribunal it created the power to leg
islate, unless its action should be over
turned by the action of the Houses of
Congress. This Commission could not
carry out the bill without going behind
the returns from State.
Mr. Blaine said he had just as great an
appreciation as any Senator on this floor
of the gravity of the situation. He had
supported the Senator from Vermont
(Edmunds) in his Constitutional amend
ment to have this whole question of
counting the electoral votes sent to the
Supreme Court. He had favored placing
this power of counting the votes in the
Supreme Court by a just and competent
amendment to the Constitution, placing
in that great body, which by its dignity
. and impartiality could properly exercise
it, but that proposition did not commend
itself to the favor of the Senate, and was
defeated by large vote.
Mr. Howe denied that this bill was
framed in the interests of the Democratic
party. He had not been conspicuous in
the service of that party, and he did dot
propose to embark in its service now,
but after all that he had heard, he was
not able to see that this bill, of itself, pro-
NOTED the interests of the Democratic
party. Nothing could be done under the
bill to promote the interest of the Demo-
cratic paBty. Nothing could be done un-
der the bill to promote the election of
the Democratic candidate for President,
unless under the execution of the law the
opinion of five picked men of the Senate,
five picked men of the House and five
picked Judges of the Supreme Court
could be secured to that end The Sena-
tor from Indiana Mr.. Morton) had ar
gued that no legislation was needed, that
the Republicans had sure thing, and it
was best not to give away part of it. He
(Mr. Howe)thought that if the result of
the late Presidential contest was not left
in doubt it was certainly left in dispute.
He thought that the bill reported by the
Select Committee, and now before the
Senate, was the proudest tribute to Amer
iCan craftsmanship which had been pre-.
pared since the Convention which framed |
the Constitution adjourned. Ho would |
have been glad if this bill had received |
the unanimous approval of the Commit |
tee, then he would have felt like one |
greater than himself, he would have felt
that he had seen the salvation of his |
people and of his country.
Mr.. Eaton said he was almost alone on
the Democratic side of the Chamber in
opposing this bill. He deeply regretted
that the Legislature of his State, on Sat-
urday last, had requested him to vote for
the bill, but they were wise enough to get
together yesterday, and reconsider that
vote. It was not pleasant to be in the
minority, but he HAD learned to stand OH
his own convictions. He had faith in the
Committee which framed this bill, and
regretted he could not vote for it, He
denied that the power to count the cleo
toral vote was vested in the President of
the Senate. 1t was lodged in the two
Houses of Congress,
This BILL tlis contrivanCe now before
the Senate should sink in the earth. The
power to count the electoral vote being
invested in the two Houses of Congress-
it could be placed no where else. He had
heard that under the bill both parties
would get cheated. He did not believe
it would be benefit to either party.
Mr. Thurman said he did not believe
this country could stand quadrennial
elections under the present system. He
believed people would become aroused to
facts and regulate the matter by consti-
tutional amendment.
Mr.. Whyte said he had doubts as to
the constitutionality of this bill. lift was
to be measure permanent in its charac-
ter he would vote against it. He believ-
ed that the opening of the certificates in
the presence of the two houses of Con-
gress was to enable each House to veri-
fy the count made 10y the presiding Off
GERS.
Mr.. Burnside expressed the hope that
the bill would pass.
Mr.. Edmunds said that the time had
gone by now fol debate. The measure
had been denounced as sham, mere
trick. although it appealed to FIVE Sena- 8
tors, five members ofthe House and five
Justice of the Supreme Court He beg /
ged his honorable friend from Ohio (Mr. ;
Sherman) to look at the history of their r
own party, to look at their own attitude, :
and tell him some day, not now, whether r
the Republican party could stand the
qualifications and dishonor in order that
1t might gain temporary advantage. He
knew the Senator would answer him {
mo" Must the Republican party stulti /
fy itself now for such beggarly price il
In 1856 Republican majority in two
Houses of Congress, passed the 22d ioin1 d
rule, which declared that no vote from q
State should have any effect upon the C
election of President and Vice President o
of the United States, unless both Houses
in their Constitutional capacity said so, fl
and yet, in the face of this action, the
great party leaders from the valley of the O
Mississippi, as the Senator from Ohio 81
(Sherman) termed it, sounded the cry of 4
treachery against those of the Republican n
party who supported this bill. Republic d
cans were accused of treason TO their par b
ty because they would not stultify them q
selves. He then referred to Mr.. Morton's d
bill which passed the Senate at the last m
session, and said it was much worse than Il
the pending bill. There we're three poor 81
Republicans who voted against W
that BILL there Conkling, Edmunds and oil
Howe. Now they were addressed in OF
terms Of reproach. He would say moth 90
Ing Ofthe personal illusions made by the vi