Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-01-19
The Gold Hil Daily News has

now the largest and best
circulation Of any evening
newspaper published In the
State Of Nevada It Is
therefore tho very best and
most efficient medium for
business, mining and all
other advertising.
THAT WONDERFUL PLAN.
The Joint Congressional Conference
Committee appointed 70 devise ansthod
Of counting the electoral votes. which
should b strictly constitutional. and
protect the rights Of both parties. has
been laboring nov soms three weeks.
Yesterday Il brought forth its progeny
in the shape OF . bill. which has been
presented 10 both Houses Of Congress
for passage. The bill 10 Endorsed BY
every member Of the joint committee.
except Senator Morton. who psrsists in
holding to the old-fashionsd and all but
exploded notion. that the Constitution IL
still the supreme Law Of the land. and
that Congress. even though composed Of
ths cream Of the Southern Chivalry. has
nor lseislais on matters which have
already been definitely settled BY that in
strumsnt. INDEED. the situation In this
country sssms to have changed very
materially In the last sixtssn years.
The leaders Of the Democracy no longer
treat us to dolsful sulogies on tho
"Constitution." That document o
depends mainly upon the Republican
party not only for moral. but for prae-
teal. support.
The bill - II comes from the commit.
tee 10 simply . pisos Of legislative assur-
dity; 10 10 passes Congress II will be
transformed from an absurdity into a
most outrageous insult upon the Amsri-
can people. and a libsl upon our boastsd
Republican institutions. The Constitu-
don Of the Uaitsd States distinctly pro-
vidss how and by whom the votes shall
~ counted. and Congress has not the
shadow Of . right to 60 behind its pro-
visions. The committee makes u weak
attempt To justify the eonstitutionality
OF the bill by referring TO the last clause
Of Article I. section 8. Of the instru-
ment. which coniers upon Congress the
power "to mako al laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the foregoing power (of Con-
gress) and all other powers vested by
this Constitution in the government Of
the United States. or In any department
or officer thereof" But this attempt at
justification Is . most weak specimen Of
especial pleading" The object OF the
clause Is not 70 give to Congress the
right to annul a constitutional pfovis
Ion: II II we're. the National Legislature
might Of itself amend the organic Law.
and no ratification by the people would
be nee, ssuy. The real meaning Of the
clause is. that Congress shall pass ali
laws necessary TO the proper and effsc-
tual carrying out Of those provisions.
But this hill deliberately contsmplatss
taking away from the President Of the
Senate the powers which are definitely
conferred on him by the Constitution.
II certainly cannot be justified BY any
ssch clause - that above referred to-.
The fact that the bill proposed Ia un-
constitutional. might Of itself. seem OBJ
lection enough to Its passage by Con-
grsss. But there are other features in
the proposed plan, which are 90 absurd
In their nature a. 10 call for some con-
msat. It provides that, II objection is
made to the count Of = State from which
there 10 but sne return. the two Houses
shall retire and vote on the question.
and unless both agree to reject the vote.
II shall Be counted. This provision
simply means that every State, from
which there are net two sets OF returns
will DO counted. Experience has taught
rs that We must not look for the sxsr-
else Of patriotism in this matter. lis
amply apoliticsi nsht-s isht for the
Presidency Of this great nation. The
Democratic House will not vote ~ re-
jset . single Democratic State. NO mat
ter how overwhelming may Be- the proofs
Of fraud ; and the Republican Senate.
acting in self defense. will'uot consent to
tn. throwing out Of any Republican
State. SO that this provision practically
amounts to nothing. The bill might
just - we'll have provided for the i'm
mediate count Of every State from which
but one return has been received. with
out agreement or dispute.
In cases where the President Il the
Senate has received two sets Of returns,
each claiming to be the electoral vote Of
the Stste-as from Oregon. for instance
the returns are to be submitted to
sort Of tripartits commission. which is
10 weigh all the evidence and decide
which return il the valid u and shall
DO counted. This commission 10 . most
curious and complicated piece OF
machinery. and QUE we'll worthy the
enlightened craftsmanship which char
sctsrizes this remarkable Congress Of
ours. II 10 TO be composed Of i've Rep