The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-15
SIGNS al, WASHINGTON.

Signs at washington.
Within few days past some Of the
Washington signs have been little more
cheering as TO the probability Of peaceful
solution OF the presidential question. What
at first seemed to be the general determine
ton OF the Radical party-the usurpation
OF the authority to count and proclaim the
election by the president Of the United
States Senate-bas apparently been aban-
doncd, and now some letter-writers in very
positive language assert that it is altogether
abandoned. II SO, that is a great point
gained.
Giving up that stratagem for usurpation
by the Senate and Executive, the delibera-
ton upon the manner Of the proceeding OF
counting and proclaiming, and the powers
OF the two houses forces itself as serious
matter, to be approached with sincere
idea that it must be settled; and the letter.
writers seem to have some warrant Tor
what they say about the the probability OF
8 peaceful solution in good time.
The following is paragraph cut from the
New York Herald'S Washington correspon-
dence:
SIN political circles generally having the
best information there is feeling OF great
cheerfulness, and belief that an amicable,
constitutional, and satisfactory settlement
OF the presidential question is almost GER
tain. The report was in circulation this
evening that the Senate committee had sub
stantialy agreed that the Vice-President
ought not to count the VOTE and that the
question whether the objection OF one house
or the concurrence Of both was needed to
the exclusion Of a vote was to be submitted
as a law question to the Supreme Court.
This report is probably incorrect, and at
least premature; but it is pretty certain that
no considerable number OF senator's any
longer hold that the Vice-President is to
count the VOTE"
A generally well-informed correspondent
concurs in the main with this para
graph as to the temper Of the congress
sional disposition. The plan he attributes
to the Senate committee is the reference Of
any disputed question growing out OF the
electoral vote to an advisory body COM
posed OF able iurists of the Senate and
House and three members OF the Supreme
Court, the Senate and House to have the
advice of this advisory body, but not to
surrender their right to decide, each house
for Itself.
This would be only adding another chance
for legal and civil and peaceful solution OF
the most troublesome question that has ever
arisen in the national legislation Of the coun-
try. It is to be regretted that the Congress
should be driven to call in counsel from
without to assist in the performance OF their
duties. But it will be Gods blessing il
by doing SO we shall avoid altogether the
fearful Intervention Of force to riot over
Constitution and law and the grand civil
feature Of our republican system.
II this be as it is now represented, and the
country shall escape the apprehended revo-
luton by a combination Of the Executive
and the Senate, We shall have prolonged
public liberty and the supremacy of people
for, let us hope, ages. But il it shall be
that the Senate, which is Of itself not
body OF force, shall acquire force by close
partnership with the Executive, it is not
hard to see that the transition to complete
arbitrary rule is at hand. The Senate could
not long hold its share of the monopoly
usurped by that body and the Executive;
but would be soon aware Of the fact that it
would only be considered as far as it might
be necessary to prolong the power stolen
from the people.
twas by the sturdy declaration by people
and press Of the principles Of the Constitu-
ton and the rightsof the popular branch Of
Congress that the yictory-if we may so call
il at this time-has been gained over the
conspiracy. And We are inclined to think
that it is q victory, SO far as the president Of
the Senate was the prominent figure Of the
conspiracy; for even President GRANT
seems to leave him out altogethersin thei
matter Of the count. But he brings in the
President pro TEN; Of the Senate at another
gap which he affects, NE suppose, to see.
The failure Of the Senate and House 70
agree, he as well as other Radicals who
want 10 defeat I'iLDEN assumes does not au.
thortze che KoHse, under the onstitution,