, 1877-02-10
The Presidens's Message.

The following i the text Of the Preaidenls ) mes-
sage concerning the electoral ball;
/ follow the example heretofore oNaSlonilIY pre-
santaI of communicating IN TINS mote my approval
Of an act 10 provide for and regulate IN cunning 81
tie votes for President and Nlce fres4rHt ana The
decision Of questions arising thereon peltDs u. my
auprel5tsiOE Of The imminent prrIi 70 The iuSttu-
tinrs OF the country fToa which, II Iay judgment, t
aft lrjls wise and constitutional me-ns ol e7cIe
Tor the hrst time IN he history q cur eou Nyi
uuter the constitution a. It Is, dfprte exists
with re ara I, result OF an election Tor Chiei
It,-isrtte of the nation. Il Is understood On the
disposition Of Disputes touchng the electoral votes
east az the late election by one or mos o. ne states
depenfs the question neither one or ne ar ot 'e
etnlllates Tor President IS the lAW.g! tliei Mag
isirata-
The irnportaE5 of La-ias clolr,c a5-l ta -el by =
procedure rCuiG ei by law, winch ui the t"o citizens
its Isu elected and of having the right e. thlS hlSh
Offi.s r-r1ll ard ,he,riglly agreed IN by ali the
peofle Of the republic cannot bc uYrIeStndioi ana
leads roe to express 10 Congress and the nation my
great satisfaction AZ the alOplon OF measure INT
AFT lrrls IN or rIv means Of 3eclins gTaTely eXl,!nE
questions While the history Of cur country IN IS
earlier piloi slows that the President OF the senate
has counted the vote and declared the staining, our
whole history shows t;Et IN no Instance ~ Gonbt or
iI p,te las he exercised the power Of deciding, ami
The tWn houses OF Congress has disposed of all such
disputes although IN no instance hitherto have they
been such that their decision could essentially affect
the result.
For the first time then the government of the United
States Is now brought 10 tins question. As one
evil 20 result in others under conditions not The best
calculated to produce agreement of Induce calm iee-
iug in the se.erIl branches of the government or
among tie people Of the cOuDtry IN ctse where as
now the result Is involved II II the highest duty OF
the law making power TO provide IN advance a con-
iouai orderly aud Just methOl Of executing e
Constitution IN this EOst inier, stlns and critical
clause o. It's prOVIsOIs The doing So Tar .TuT be-
ing cufupru!s= right, IS the enforcement Of right
AMI IN execution Of power conferred by the Cousll-
tuition or Congress.
think th!s orderly method has been securcl by
this ii J. wiir., appealing TO the Constitution anu
law as guide la ..~certliun.s the rights provides
means of deciding QUESTIONS oi single returns through
the direct aeon ci Congress AMI N respect 70 dHu Die
returns by "a tribunal OF inquiry whose decisions
stand unless both hOUsts oi Congress sitt concur IN
determining otherwise, thus securing detuIe DIS
position Of all questions dispute, IL whatever
pect they may arse with or without this itS-
As al Of the states have voted, anu a TIE gDte
Is impossible Il must he that Cn- OF the two eHCl-
dates has been elected; It would be dep.OTare 10
witness IRREGULAR controversy a. to WAlc Oi the
two should receive or continue Il hold the oll'e In
all periods Of cur history, no controversy his uIi5ri
T. the succession or choice of the chiefs OF STATE,
and 10 party or citizen who love their country and its
free institutions sacrtoe too much ca mere feel
iu- in prtse ing through the upr-ht force OF Law,
thrir country from tire smallest danger 70 its peace
on such OccsssoHs ,,ld It not he impressed TOO
firmly the hearts Of AL the people that true liberty
and real progress can exist through trutAtu! adher
euee 10 the constitutional Law
The bill purPOitS 10 provide only for settlement
of quest ions arising ,iom the Ie,ent elections The
fact that such questions aris- demonstrates the
necessity which, ctnnot doubt wall before long be
supplied by permanent general leglslItlun 10 methods
which have been contemplated the cOnstI-Uto
or laws OF the country.
The lill may not be perfect and it. provisions may
not Ire such as would be best applicable 20 all future
occasions; but Il Is calculated 10 meet the present
cOniitlOD of questions and e the country The
country Is aglIaJrd II needs and IL deTrs peace and
quiet aud harmony ietween all plig> and al Sec
tons. Is industries arIrsyel, labor Gnemp!cy
el, capital Ie aui enterprise pirlyze iy reason OF
Doubt, anxiety and uncertainty Of double clam to
the chief TuJg.stIacy OF the nation. Il wants TO be
assured OF the of the election IL VIII Oe a-
cepted without doubt the supporters OF the Dis
aPpointe. cIni!l4ie AMI tn us i est JtUsr shsll
not hold his place with questioned title OF right.
Believing the bill viii sscusee these cEis give Il my
signature L. s. GRANr.