The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-09


dents message concerning the Electoral
bill:
To the Senate of the United &ates;
l follow the example heretofore occasion
ally presented of communicating in this
mode my approval of the act to provide for
and regulate the counting of the votes for
President and Vice-President, and the de-
cision of the questions arising thereon, be-
cause of my appreciation OF the imminent
peril to the institutions of the country, from
which, in my judgment, the act affords
wise and constitutional means of escape.
For the first time in the history of our
country, under the Constitution as it is
now, dispute exists with regard to the
result of the election of the Chief Magis-
trate of the Nation. 1t is understood that
upon the disposition of the disputes touch
ing the Electoral votes cast at the late
election by one or more of the States
depends the question whether one or
other of candidates for the Presidency is
the lawful Chief Magistrate. The impor-
cedure regulated by law which of two
citizens has been elected, and of having the
right to this high Office recognized and cheer
fully agreed in by all people of the Repub-
lie, can not be over-estimated, and leads
me to express to Congress and to the Nation
my great satisfaction at the adoption of the
measure that affords an orderly means of
While the history of our country in its early
periods shows that the President of the Sem
ate has counted the votes and declared their
standing, our whole history shows that in n
instance of doubt or dispute has he exer-
cised the power of deciding, and that the
tive houses of Congress has disposed of all
such doubts and disputes although in no in
their decision could essentially have
effected the result. For the
first time, then, the Government of the
United States is now brought to meet
the question as one vital to the result, and
this under conditions not best calculated
to produce an agreement or to induce calm
feeling in the several branches of govern
In case where, as now, the result is in
volved, it is the highest duty of the law
making power to provide in advance a
constitutional, orderly, and just method of
executing the Constitution in this most
interesting and critical clause of its pro-
visions. The doing SO, SO far from being a
compromise of right, is an enforcement of
right and an execution of powers conferred
| by the Constitution on Congress. think
| that this orderly method has been secured by
the bill which, appealing to the Constitution
and laws as a guide in ascertaining
rights, provides means of deciding the
question of single returns through the direct
action of Congress, and. in respect to the
double returns by tribunal of inquiry
whose decisions stand, unless both Houses
of Congress shall concur in determining
otherwise, thus securing definite disposition
| of all questions of dispute in whatever
aspect they may arise, with or without this
law. AS all of the States have voted, and
as tie vote is impossible, it must be that
one of two candidates has been elected, and
| 1t would be deplorable to witness an lrregu-
lar controversy as to which Of the two should
receive, or which should continue to hold,
| the office. In all records of history contro-
versles have arisen as to succession or
choice of chiefs of States, and no party or
citizen, loving their couatry and its free in.
stitutions, can sacrifice too much of mere
| course of law, their country from the
smallest danger to its peace ON such an occa.
sion, and it can not be impressed too firmly
in the hearts of all the people that true liberty
and real progress can exist only through
cheerful adherence to constitutional law
The bill purports to provide only for the
settlement of the questions arising from the
tlons can arise, demonstrates the necessity
which l can not doubt will before long be
supplied, of permanent general legislation to
meet cases which have not been contem.
plated in the Constitution or laws of the
country. The bill may not be perfect, and
lIs PROVISIONS may not De Sucn as would be
applicable to all future occasions, but it is
calculated to meet the present condition OF
the questions and of the country. The coun.
try is agitated; it needs and it desires peace
and quiet and harmony between all
parties and all sections. Its industries
are arrested, labor unemployed, capital idle
and enterprise paralyzed by reason of the
doubt and anxiety attending the uncertainty
OF double claim to the Chief Magistracy OF
the Nation. 1t wants to be assured that the
result of the election will be accepted with.
out resistance from the supporters of the
disappointed candidate, and that its highest
officer shall not hold his place with ques
toned title of right. Believing that the
bill will secure these ends, 1 give it my sig
nature. u. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, January %, 1877.