The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-10
Mr.. Conkling's Position.

Mr.. Conkling's Position.
| Beyond the proper and patriotic ex-
| pressions which Mr.. CoNKLING uttered in
the Senate, when presenting tho great
| memorial from this city, no has carefully
aDstained from taking part in the discus
| sions and controversies which have been
| prematurely thrust forward by Mr.. SuER-
MAN, Mr. MORTON, Mr.. WRIGHT, and other
extremists who have sought to capture
public opinion by one-sded statements of
the Presidential complication.
| This reserve il most prudent Mt time
when it is the highest duty of public men
to calm excitement by their own example.
aud especially while committees OF Con-
grcss are investigating facts, upon which
they will have to pass in a judicial capacity.
When Senators appear us partisan advo-
Gates, and attempt TO decide disputed cleo
tons upon ca pdrte testimony, taken TO
excuse or 10 justify acts OF usurpation by
corrupt Returning Boards, the country will
know what value TO attach to any judg-
ments they may finally render.
Although Mr.. CoSKLING has said nothing
to PREJUDICE his action, either on the
committee TO prepare a mode for counting
the votes or ultimately when the Senate
shall have to determine its course. he has
left on record some views which have a
| special application and force now, when 10
similar principle Is involved. Four years
ago, on Jan. G, 1873, Mr. SHERMAN offered
the following resolution In the Senate:
The Committee ov Privileges and Elections arc
lions OF ceg Tor rss na sffen e,cc
a Isl sll md Ar
kansas y accor lance with the Constitution ana laws
arisen ss to who elected electors In either Of
ssid states and what me sures are necessary To pro-
guard against M determine Ike contests the future
election Of cleo ors for President ana Vice President
This resolution led to long debate, in
the course of which the very questions now
before the country were argued with spirit
and ability on both sides. Double sets OF
certificates had been sent up from Arkan-
sas and LOUISIANA, just rs they now have
been sent from Oregon. Louisiana, Florida,
and South Carolina. The point was made
by Mr. EDMuNDs that II there was no right
to go behind the certificates of electors, as
was maintained By various Senators, the
inquiry was without value. These are the
words of that Senator:
"Those certIncres on both Sides are IN your
possession. Ihcvnre subject % fnrcs'fg ition and
inquiry here on The spot, aud wnen YOU nave your
stlves looked at the state seal and verified the
sign ture # the Governor. II Ia question OF
Law. accofiin. e. the iiea OF these gentlemen,
which c-rtinclte represents the sovereign and
conclusive violence tn Il the State SENDS you Us
TO what she his doue."
Mr.. EDMUSDs njccted his own views into
the d. cussOn under cover of the opinions
of other Senators, and maintained the
power Of Investigation aud inquiry on
the spot" in regard II the true certificates
OF electors, without tho Intervention of
special committee to visit tue States ana
take testimony there. Mi CoNKLIva did
not put any third person between himself
aud his responsibility. He spoke out what
he thought freely, and not evasively, rs il
afraid TO utter his convictions. What he
said on that occasion has Importance at
this juncture of affairs. Here are some
extracts which are worthy of attention:
lone Senator saws we have a right to inquire
wheth tue claimants are the electors pnOnt-
, ed bY Louisiana. I. lie 1t so; how are we 30 ~
| =, ma out? Suppose II turn. out that III, re has
De no election at al suppose the whole dec
ion "-nt down. ttodden out under the huof Of
brute VI lencei suppose military power or mob
| roie over ne election. ana there weie no ballots
o y, ~, oois At alt and cerihcates come here
mmm nrpo'nttd "a louisiana Afer we have
~ H. mna. us e now many uses we may
NE premature now TO consiier; inc infornatiSn
may be NJ little value II YOU please. yet surely
we can suppose plenty of uses 10 be made Of IL
within the tduiitted scope Of Ia, Consultation
But 60 further than TO maint 1.-the naked
| power OF Congress to inquire. | insist mat we
can utilize the result Of tue inquiry, and einolov
the facts o. our action upon counting or refitsin1
President.
0 ascertain and make record OF the facts.
Will vote Tor the resolution. This alone Will
| be wholesome; ana viii vote for II also for the
use We may make OF the facts in counting
electoral votes aud 10 determining any other
proceeding which may come within our prov
| lnce.'
These declarations are sufficiently ex-
plct TO define Mr.. CoNKLING's position rs
to the powerand duty of Congress TO go be-
hind the external form of certificate, and
10 inquire into its integrity and validity.
This position is consistent with reason and
right, aud if maintained earnestly to the
end, Will go far to relieve the present
political situation of its dangers, and to
carry out the popular will us expressed
| through the ballot box.
Mr.. CoNKLING occupies place to-day
such as no other Republican leader can
claim. He has great opportunity TO rise
above the exactions Of party, aud to rem
der public service which the country
condemn his Independence and courage,
but if he fuliils the expectation of his
friends he will rally around him all the
best elements of his own side and win the
confidence of that influential body OF
citizens who never seek Office always
sustain the best men, and only ask
for good government. AS member
of the committee TO devise method for
counting the votes, he holds the balance
of power between the two parties, and can
temper the demands of each while, as n
Senator, he stands foremost in his ability
to exercise wise and soothing influence.
The Meaning of MIR. VanierbiIt's Will.
The provisions OF CORNELIUS WANDER
BILT's will show pretty clearly what the
old gentleman's idea was OF money and its