Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1877-02-15
Opinions Of People and Press.

WASHINGTON, February 7.-To-day's action
OF the Electoral Commission is the universal
topic of conversation tonight, and the theme
of many conflicting specu]ations as to its
ultimate results But there seems to be no
diversity of opinion among the Republicans
and comparatively little among the Demo-
Gratis regarding two propositions, the first,
that it secures the vote of Florida for Hayes
and Wheeler and second, by that the Louis
lana case will promptly be decided in the
same way A considerable number of Re-
publicans are apprehensive, however, that
the admission of evidence regarding the eli
gibility of one of the Florida electors, fore
shadows the establishment of general prin-
ciple which may work great disadvantage
to the party in the Oregon case, and also in
relation to the alleged disability of one Of the
Illinois electors. On the other hand atten-
ton is called to the fact that it by no means
follows that because such evidence is admit
ted it will be given any weight by the CON-
mission in making up final decision, and
leading Republicans, like Morton, Blaine and
Sargent furthermore say that they do not
now entertain any doubt that the final result
of the Commissions action will be declara-
ton that Hayes and Wheeler have received
1856 votes and are elected. A majority Of the
Democrats do not, of course, concede that
any such prediction can properly be based on
to-day's vote of the commission, and many
express undiminished confidence that the
commission will ultimately declare Tilden
and Hendricks elected, or at least that the
Presidential election will be thrown into the
House of Representatives by the refusal to
admit more than two votes from Oregon, or
by the rejection of one Republican vote from
Florida. 1t is nevertheless unmistakably evil
dent that the hopes of the Democrats for sue
cess has been greatly weakened by to-day's
proceedings, and strong under current of
belief is manifested among the Democrats
that the commission will continue to divide
until the end in exact accordance with the
known political preferences of its various
members, or, in other words, that Justice
Bradley will inevitably make Hayes Presi-
dent. The Republicans reply to remarks of
this kind by observing, that if the insinuation
be true, it is very noticeable that the Demo-
cratic members of the Commission seem to
vote with equal unanimity.
New YORK, February 1.-THE Herald edi-
torially thinks the decision is not the final
conclusion or really important, and adds
This recognition of the inviolability of the
State record will evidently cut both ways. It
will give great prominence to that piece of
sharp practicein Oregon, for which no section
of people have had hitherto any respect, and
OF known defiance of the popular will. In
stead of no consequence, the Governors certif-
cate is of all consequence, and if the only
point that gives to Congress the original right
of inquiry is doubt of the electors eligibility
under the constitution, the course of the
Governor of Oregon cannot be reviewed by
the commission; for, as there is no disputed
in Oregon, and it is under the State
law the Governors duty to certify, the Re-
publican elector, who it is alleged is dis
qualified, cannot even get his case before the
commission for want of the Governors GER
ti6cate, and the appointed elector cannot,
because he possesses that certificate, be ignor-
ed. 1t does not seem possible, under this
ruling, for the excluded man to show that he
Is not disqualified.
The Times editorially says: People who
think that the Compromise bill was the intro
duction to an era of good feeling may prof.
tably during the next few days study the
comments of the Democratic press on the
Florida decision, backed by the authority of