The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-01-11
THE LAW ON THE PRESIDENCY.
4 Proposal to submit DIspHted Points Go the
SHprcmc Court for AdYicr---tavorahie
Reception of the Proposition by Mcn Of
10th PARTIES.

4 Proposal to submit Dlsputed Paints 60 the
Supreme Court for Ad,icr---tavarahIo
Rrrrption of the Proposition by Mcn Of
Roth Parties.
Thrre is growing opinion among men
uf both parties, SAYS the Washington
correspondent Of the 1ribmr that
way uut of the difficult situation cnn still
hc opened 10y supreme court decision.
The Objectionable plan ut having the
court count the votes and investigate the
legality ut the returns hns been wholly
abandoned, but IL iz believed TINT an
opinion delivered 10y the tribunal ut last
resort uu the constitutional powers ui the
two houses of Congress over the rlrytur-
al vote would ho accepted as authoritative
and final. Thus iar the whole dispute
can be- narrowed down a. the question of
whether the House Of Representatives
has Ihv right, uf It's own motion, and
without the concurrence of the Senate,
a. throw uut the return of State
This spurrlN unconstitutional question, for
II sucu right exists lt la derived frum
the ample little phrase IN thu organic
law which Says the votes shall hc
counted. uud like all questions arising
uut ui different interpretations Of that
instrument It uught o. bu referred to
the supreme court II the court should
hold that either house possesses the
power of rejecting electoral votes for
amy cause, the whole controversy now
dlstucting the country would be dis
posed ut 40 once, and equally potent
in rhcctne surh "a result would he AN
opinion that only the concurrent action
..F % fs..Fat
that mo- power resides IN Congress cN-
cupt the ministerial one uf making the
count uf the votes as certified "a by
State authority. Mr. Edmuuds aud
other eminent lawyers SAY that there is no
way in which the matter could hc for
mally brought before the court, but IL
is answered hy those Who favor this
mode uf determining the ycAcd and
dangerous question, that IN Il serious
emergency. such us Is likely to grow
out of the pruluugutlun al the existing
dispute a. @ elimination, forms could
be disregrird and the court could be
requested hV concurrent resolution Ia
furnish Congress With lis opinion uu all
thcpuiuts involved. That tAe court would
comply with such request, made uudor
circumstance If such gravity, even
although mot obliged to do $50 hy law,
cannot he doubted
Many If the leading Republicans iu
both houses favor Tins plan. and bee
lcye il pu,cticahle and perfectly faar.
No objection could be urged against the
supreme court as the arb.tgr II tLe dis
pute. because one II its special provinces
is 10 interpret the Constitution. Nor
could il be accused Of being ia amy rc-
spe,t q political BODY because tA, attI-
Udc oi parties has changed materially
since It's iuuiar member MAS appointed.
and majority uf the judges came
upon the bench when the ISSUES 81 poll
ties were far different from those which
now ugituty the public mind.
Democratic Congressman, when asked
what they think II uls way "uut 81
the woods, generally approve 1t, and
manifest disposition a. submit the
claims uf them party ta any tribunal
which shall not from Us constitution,
have an evident leaning ln favor II their
opponents IL is evident that the occa-
sluu viii mot arise for bringing praml-
u,utly forward Tins ar AMY other sl.
called camprami-a measure uuUl after
tlc committees iu the Southern States
return. When ,hr.r reports are an, Lar
Democrats will aoau make up their
mivus whether the evidence collected
produces any change .u public opinion
ur IN the position 81 Republicans IA
Congress. II i ooes un,-I both
parties maintain tag.r present attitude
then the Democratic leaders viii hay, 10
decide between three crisas 60 back
down and abandon their intention o!
throwing out the votes 81 tle disputed
States; 90 accept some kind oi c1mpro-
mise. ur o. push forward g. the end
which some 81 them now threaten tGa
country wIth-twu Presidents
4 RrpuHiiyau senator from New Eng
hand .a.i that tar question could ,.-.ly
hy brought before tic sgrrtm" court
after tho fourth uf March, and I'm % per-
fr-tly legal way. I'm case Gov Hayes
should bc iuauwumtgl "a writ AZ gU. t.Er-
rIuyY could be sued ont against NaM uu
behalf uf Mr.. I4l.vu IN the district court,
and the case he carried at uucr o. the Fg-
pr,mc court for u final decision. Tins
wuuli hc like seGi.ag Tor ir, engine
after the house r. I'D flames While the
lawyers were preparing thor huclr aad
delivering their arguments. fAe heated
temper ut the par:. .--lls 81 tae FEgL Press
dents would lu ajl probability break uUt
IN hostile demonstrations which the die
tum ~ the court would hp puwsrlrss 90
stay II any course 81 action can hc
agreed uruu tha: VIII secure % haruoul-
uus count II thr electoral vote and gem
erll acqu;rsccnca iu tae result, whether
arrived 40 10y the acceptance ur tac rs!ec-
t.un OF the uow disputed returns, such
agreement should bv all mrans he reach
"a as soon as possible, 4 compromise
after tine sixteenth 81 February VIII h'
teufoli more dsfiicul, 20 bring about thau
one before thut mumrutoas day.