The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-02-02
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THE CRISIS PASSED.

The day after the Presidential election, it
was universally conceded that Tilden and
Hendricks were elected. Astounded at the
result, Chandler and Cameron resolved to re-
sort to their familiar ~game of fraud and yio-
loncc. Troops and money were promised and
supplied Supple Returning Boards u'urpcd
the functions of the people, and assumed to
east out or add to returns at their pleasure.
And then the startling doctrine was enuncat-
ed that the President of the Senate had the
sole power vested in himself to select, open
and count uch returns as he doomed advisa.
bic.
But the people were not thus TO be trifed
with Their mutterng., deep, though not
loud, reached even the man at the White
House. Craftsmanship aud patriotism came
to the rescue, and the attempted fraud was
tumbled with its leaders to the dust. A tri-
buaal has been established to determine in a
peaceable and legal manner the gravest que
ton that has ever arisen in this nation
A vote was taken in the Senate on Thurs
day moraing when A. voted for the bill ans
II against it, OF the Affirmative votes, 60
were Democrats and q Republicans, and ci
the negatives all were Republicans but one,
Eaton. of Connecticut. The bill was imme-
diatcly sent over to the House. where the de-
bite was opened and number Of speeches
" re made for and against it.
+ The debate was closed about p. m, Fri
day afternoon, when the Speaker announced
that tie vote would now be taken on the final
passage Of the bill. Finally the count was
completed and the result announced-yeas
l9l. nays sc. OF those who voted in the af.
frmative l59 were Democrats and SO Repub-
leans, and in the negative Is were Demo,
Gratis and 6S Republicans. All the Demo
Gratis aud two Republicans from Pennsylvania
voted for the BILL and sixteen Republicans
against it.
The condition Of the vote justifes us in
saying that the measure was essentially q
Democratic one, and though believing that
Tilden was fairly elected, such was our faith
in the Justice of his cause that We willingly
submitted the matter to an impartial tribu-
nal
The following gentlemen constitute the
commission.
Senators-Geo. T. Edmunds, R., F. T. Fre-
iinghuysen, r., o. p. Morton, R., A. G.
Thurman, D., T. F. Bayard, d.
Representatipes--J. A. Garfield, r. George
r. Hoar R., Fl. b. Payne, d., J. G. Abbott
D., f. Hunton, ID.
Judges.-N. Clifford, d., 5. +. Miller, r.,
s. J. Field D., w. Strong, r., J. Bradley
X.
IF Morton had any self respect he would
MT have accepted the position, as he ha'
already prejudged the case by declaring
the the measure unconstitutional. MOI
should Garfield have been chosen, be.
cause he has on former occasions justified
the Louisiana frauds. 1t would also have
been better had Judge Davis been selected in
place of Bradley, not only because he is inde'
pendent in politics, but has much more abili'
ty as jurist, Nevertheless, We consider the
Commission fair one and believe that none
of the Judges will permit their names to &C
down TO posterity as accessories to the frauds
by which it is sought to make Hayes Presi.
dent. Grant, Notwithstanding the outside
pressure, promptly signed the bill. We give
his message in another column. We shall
give our readers full details Of the future ac-
tion of Congress and the Commission on this
all-important question.