Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-01
THE REPORT of the joint commit

IL r. hEPOhI VI 1he Joihe SShiuiio
tee, deyising a way for the solution of
the presidential question, is being dis
cussed throughout the length and
breadth of the land. So complete
departure from all constitutional re-
auirements, and established presidents
this bill involves, was never before
known in the history of national legis
lation.
Looking at the plan of the commit
tee in every conceivable light, nothing
is presented other than a gambling
chance flip of a penny would be
just as reasonable way for the solu-
luton of the svexed question" as it
is called, but which in reality is no
vexed questinn-..o- II. b. Hayes re-
ceiyed 1S5 votes, which is a majority
in the electoral college, and all that
remains to be done is for the President
of the Senate to follow the require
ments of the constitution, to open the
certificates in the presence of the Sen
ate and House of Representatives and
declare the result. Can it be doubted
for moment that, if the democrats
believe that Mr.. Tilden secured 1S5
votes, they would favor the plan of
the COMMITTEES? No sane man will be-
iieve it. Ii Mr.. Randall to-day were
President of the Senate, he would op-
pose the measure and insist upon his
right as such officer to count the vote
and declare the result. The great Sc
crst of Democratic tenacity in clam
oring for TIE passage of the bill, is
supposed chance for counting In Mr.
Tilden. Two reasons, if none other
we're presented, should weigh heavily
against the passage of the bill. First,
1t is usurpation of constitutional
prerogatiye-w wholly unconstitutional.
The constitution makes NO provision
for finding new way for counting the
electoral votes, but prescribes the man
ner in which it shall be done, and one
hundred years of national life attests
the correctness of the way, and gives
to the form hitherto adopted the i'm
press of legality while it attest. the
wisdom of the trainers of that instru-
ment. Second, To devise a plan that
savors of the regulations of the "faro
table" and "moGte beard" for the
settlement of questions affecting the
national polity, is to detract from the
national dignity and lower us as a nation
in the eyes of the governments of the
world. We are too grand nation to
risk our reputation upon the turn of
card or the changing spots of a trinity
of dice 1t is matter Of fact which
history will more clearly demonstrate
that the Republican candidate has been
the successful competitor before the
people for the Presidency, notwith-
standing three great states have been
SO completely subordinated by Demo
cratic intrigue, fraud, intimidation and
murder, as to give Democratic MAORI
ties ranging from forty to eighty thous
and. when, but for such usurpatory
action they would have reversed these
majorities and declared largely for the
Republican candidate, increasing the
electoral vote of Mr.. Hayes to at least
215. The Republican party has been
clearly the winner in the recent con
test, and any way of declaring the
result other than that prescribed by
the constitution will be usurpation
of constitutional declaration a. it will
be degrading farce.