The New York herald., 1877-01-06
THE OREGON ELECTORS.

TESTIMONY OF GOVERNOR GROVER BEFORE THE
SENATE COMMITTEE DETAILED STATEMENT
OF HIS ACTION AND CITATION OF THE LAW
WHICH GUIDED HIM.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s, 1877.
Governor Grover, Of Oregon, examined before
the Senate Committee Prvi, ses and Elections TO-
day in relation the electoral troubles IN that
State
In reply to Senator Herman he testified that he has
been the Governor Of Oregon since 1870 and has
resident of that State for twenty-five years. he was
born in Maine, but resided in Pennsylvania somo
years previous 10 going to Oregon; his
attention vas first called TO tho Watts
case few days before the counting OF the
electoral vote by the filing OF protest signed by
large number OF citizens against his (Grovcr issuing
tho certificate of election TO Watts the ground
Watts was postmaster on the day OF the election and
was therefore ineligible 10 the office OF Presidential
siector; several aiidavits made by residents OF the
county Ia which Watts was postmaster accompanied
The protest, and In them 1t was set forth that Watts
was postmaster the day OF election and had been
for three years previous to that time.
When the vote Of the State canvasscd by tho
Secretary OF State witness was present and gave
notice that protest had been filed against the issuing
OF certificate Of election TO Watts, and 1t
then time to issue certificates, he would appoint Sen
O'Clock o next day as the time when he would hear
arguments from both sides; all the republican electors
were present when witness made the announcement.
THE ARGUMENT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR
Al the hearing next day the republican electors filed
counter protest 20 that filed against the issuing Of
certificate to Watts the protest filed by the republ-
electors demanded that certificates be issued
cordng 10 the votc declared by the Secretary Of
state but did not deny that Watts was postmaster
all who desired were hoard In relation to
ths subject, aud the discussion which com.
incnccd IN the morning kept up through
the day and evening; the next morning certificates
were issued by witness TO the three persons who mad
received the highest number OF votes and who were
eligible under the constitution.
CRoss-ExAMSArioN.
In answer to Senator Morton. Governor Grover tcs-
tined that the opinion which hc (Grovcr) has puD-
lshcd, giving the grounds Tor his action issuing tho
electoral certificates he did was prepared before
decision In relation 10 the issuing of certificates was
announced; IL was not printed until after the decision
announced; witness stated that he received
q letter rom Judge Hoadley, Of Cincinnati,
embracing several authorities, in relation to this
electoral matter II ordinary three page letter
Judge Hoadcy never sent TO the witness copy of
brief which he tHoadley) has since published In rela.
ton 10 the eligibility electors; the witness received
Judge Hoadley's letter about week before he mace
bis dccs'on IN tho Watts easc; be knows Judge
tics; Judge Hoadcy did not say in his letter that he
was told 10 write to the witness; the witness au-
thorty for his action In issuing the certificates was
NOT the statute law ofOrcgon he regarded that when
constitutional objection was made in the case Of
Watts. it was bis duty to hear and determine.
THE LAW or OREGON.
II rule Of the Oregon Supreme Court that In
Of constitutional question being raised regards the
eligibility Cf those elected to Office the Governor
hear and determined that he has that right the
servxtor OF the CONSTITUTIONS there is section tho
Oregon statutes which requires the Governor 10 cer
THY 10 the election OF the person having the highest
number of voles but tho witness idea OF that section
Of the statutes is that IL refers to the person having
the highest number oil legal vJtcs the section referred
10 reoIres the Governor not only certify TO but 10
declare elected the person having the highest number
OF votes: but ne did not consider that the statutes
uulred him TO declare wrong al he would have 10 do
IN case the person who received the highest number OF
votes was ineligible.
The witness stated that In relation to the Issuing o
certificates the electors the constitution and law
or Congress conflict with the statute oil Orcgon while
Sbs former makes II the duty Of the Governor OF the
State 10 certificates 70 electors the latter soy
ahe Secretary OF state shall issue tho certificates
iuess stated that where the laws Of the United Statci
md OF Oregon onced he considered II hs duty 10 "
guided by tho former
THE QUESTION or IxgIIGIBILIry.
The Vtness 70 illustrate what he considered 70 %