The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-02
Arbitration Bill Signed-President's
Special Message.
Western Associated Press Telesrams.

To the Senate Of the United States
follow the example heretofore occas-
ionally presented, of communicating in
this mode my approval OF the act to pro- /
vide for and regulate the counting OF
the votes for President and Vice Presi-
dent, and the decision of the questions
arising thereon, because of my appre-
citation Of the imminent peril to the in
stitutions Of the country from 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 a. it is
now, q dispute exists with regard to the
result Of the election Chief Magistrate
of the Nation. II is understood that
upon the disposition of disputes touch
ing Electoral votes cast at the late elec-
ton by one or more of the States, de-
pends the question whether one or the
other Of the candidates for the Presiden.
cy is the lawful Chief Magistrate. The
importance Of having clearly ascertain
ed, by procedure regulated by law,
which of the two. citizens has been
elected, and Of having the right to this
high Office recognized and cheerfully
agreed in by all the people of this Re-
public, can not be overestimated, and
leads me TO express to Congress and to
the Nation my great satisfaction at the
adoption OF any measure that affords or
derly means of decision of gravely ex-
citing questions. While the history of
our country in its early periods shows
that the President of the Senate has
counted the votes and declared their
standing, our whole history shows that
in no instance of doubt or dispute has
he exercised the power of deciding, and
that the two houses Of Congress have
disposed of all such doubts and disputes,
although in no instance hitherto have
they been such that their decision could
essentially have affected the result.
For the first time, then, the Govern
ment of the United States is now
brought to meet the question as one
vital to the result, and this under con-
ditions not the best calculated 10 pro.
duce an ngr> ement or to induce calm
feeling in several branches of the Gov
erDment, or among the people of the
country. In case where, as now, the
result is involved, it is the highest duty
of the law-making power to provide in
advance constitutional, orderly and
just method of executing fhe Constisu.
tion in this most interesting aad critical
clause Of its provisions. The doing so,
far from being a compromise Of right,
is an enforcement Of right, and an exc
cution Of the powers conferred by the
Constitution on Congress. think that
this orderly method has been secured
by this bill, which, appealing to the
Constitution and law as a guide in ascer.
tanning rights, provides the means OF
deciding the question of the single re-
turns through the direct action of Con-
gress, and in respect to the double re-
turns by a tribunal of inquiry whose
decisions stand, unless both houses of
Congress shall concur in determining
otherwise, thus securing definite dis
position of all questions of dispute in
whatever aspect they may arise. With
or without this law, as all of the States
have voted, il must be that one of two
candidates has been elected, and it
would be deplorable to witness an irreg-
ular controversy as to which of the two
should receive, or which should continue
to hold, the Office.
In all records of history, controver.
sizes have arisen as to the succession O,
choice Of the chiefs of States, and nc
7 party or citizen loving their country
and its free institutions can sacrifice toe
much of mere feeling in preserving
through the upright course of the law
; their country from the smallest danger
, to its peace, on such an occasion; and i
I cannot be impressed too firmly in tn
hearts of all the people that true libert,
3 and real progress can exist only through
1 cheerful adherence to the constitutions
. law.
= The bill purports to provide only 70
n the settlement of questions arising fror
e the recent elections. The fact that sue
s questions can arise demonstrates tn
10 necessity-which can not doubt wi
before long be supplied-of permaner
u general legislation to meet cases whic
e have not been contemplated in the Coz
q stitution or the laws of the country. III
o bill may not be perfect, and its provi
p ions may not be such as would be be-
IT applicable to all future occasions, but
d is calculated to meet the present cond
!. tion of the questions and of the countr
The country is agitated. 1t needs an
it desires peace and quiet and harmon
'g between all parties and all sections. I
l. industries are arrested, labor unemplo,
Sc ed, capital idle, and enterprise paraly
he ed, by reason of the doubt and anxiei
re attending the uncertainty of doub
ls claim to the Chief Magistracy of Il
o Nation. 1t wants to be assured that Il
D. result of the election will be accepte
ID without resistance from the supporte
o. Of the disappointed candidate, and th
,e its highest officer shall not hold b
IN place with a questioned title of righ
a. Believing that the bill will secure the
D. ends. I give it my signature.
I'd u. 8. GRANT.
u EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan. 90, TT.
4
re The Fusion Of Races.
From the Truckee Republican.
"