The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1877-02-10
The Presidents Message Approving the
Electoral Bill.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 29.-The fol-
lowing Is the text Of the Presidents mes
sage Concerning the Electoral bill:
To the Senate Of the United States:
follow the example heretofore occasionally
presented of communicating In this mode my
approval Of an act to provide for and regulate
the counting Of votes for President and Vice
President, and the decision Of questions ari.ing
thereon, because of my appreciation Of the i'm
minent peril TO the Institutions of the country,
wise and constitutional means Of escape. For
the fret time in the history Of our country under
the Constitution as it 10 now. dispute exists
with tgard to the result o. the election Of Chief
Magistrate of the Union. 1t is understood that
upon the disposition of the disputes touching the
Electoral! vote cast at the last election by one or
the other of the candidates for the Presidency is
the lawful Chief Magistrate. The Importance OF
having clearly ascertained by procedure regu,
lated by law which Of two citizens has been elect
ed, ana of having the right to their high ONCE
recognized and cheerfully agreed in by all the
people of the Republic can not he over estimated.
and leads me to express to Congress and to the
Nation my great satisfaction at the adoption OF
measure that affords an orderly means Of deci-
sion Of gravely exciting questions. While the
history Of our country in its carly periods shows
the votes and declared their standing, our whole
history shows that in no instance Of doubt or dis
pute has he exercised the power Of deciding and
ali such doubts and disputes, although IN no in.
stance hitherto have they been such that their de-
cision could have essentially affected the result
For the first time. then, the Government OF the
United States is now brought to meet question
as one vital to the result, and this un-
der conditions not best calculated to pro-
duce agreement, or induce calm feeling in
or among the people Of the country. In .
case, where, as now, the result is involved IL is
the highest duty Of the Law. making power to pro:
vide in advance Constitutional. orderly and
Just method Of executing the Constitution. In
this most interesting and critical clause Of its
provisions, the bill. 80 far from being compro-
mise Of right. is an enforcement of the right and
an execution of the powers conferred by the
Constitution on Congress. I think that this or
derby method has been secured by the bill.
which, appealing to the Constitution and law as
guide in ascertaining rights, provides means
Of deciding questions Of single returns through
the direct action Of Congress. and In
respect to double returns. by . tribunal OF in
quiry, whose decisions stand unless both Houses
Of Congress shall concur in determining other.
wise, thus securing definite disposition Of all
questions of dispute in whatever respect they
The States have voted. and Is the vote is record
ed, Is must be that one Of the two candidates has
been elected; and it would be deplorable to wit
ness an irregular controversy rs 20 which of the
two should receiye or which should continue 70
hold the Office. In all records Of history contro-
choice Of Chiefs Of states. and no par
free Institutions can sacrifice teo much Of mere
feeling in preserving, through an upright course
Of Law. their country from the smallest danger to
its peace on such an occasion, and Il can not be
impressed too firmly on the hearts Of all people
that true liberty and real progress can exist only
through cheerful adherence 70 constitutional
law. The bf1l purports TO provide only for the
settlement Of questions arising from recent cleo.
tons. The fact that such questions can arise
demonstrates the necessity-which, ] can not
doubt, win before long be supplied-of perma-
nent general legislation to meet cases which have
not been contemplated In the Constitution or
laws Of the country. The bill may not be par
feet, and its provisions may notbe such as would
be best applicable to al future occasions, but II
II calculated to meet the present condition Of the
question and Of the country. The country lie
agitated; il needs and it desires peace
and quiet and harmony between All par
ties and all sections; It's industries are
arrested, labor unemployed, capital
idle. and enterprise paralyzed, BY reason OF the
doubt and anxiety attending the uncertainty of
Q double claim to the Chief Magistracy Of the
Nation. It wants to be assured that the result
Of the election win be accepted without resist
ance from the supporters Of the disappointed
candidate, and that its highest offcer shall not
bold his place with . questioned title of right.
Relieving that the bill will secure these ends,
give it my signature.
lSignedl U. 8. GRANT.
Executive Mansion. January %. 1871.