The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-17
The senate's Proposition.

= Adjourned. .'g. .. .-.
a. The Senate's Proposition.
In regard to this plan we have only to re-
mark that it is better than duplicate inall-
guration, discord, and war, and that is
about all. We would certainly accept it as
an alternative to a disgraceful and dlsas-
trous dispute over the succession. But there
is no Justice in it. The only difficulty in
the way Of satisfactory settlement Of the
question in the Legitimate way, by the votes
OF the people, has been interposed by the
fraudulent Vaccinations and trickeries OF
the Radicals Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. 81
The moderate and conservative men on
both sides are disposed tosaccept it as fair
basis of settlement, but are inclined to wait
until they shall have before them authentic
details of the supposed plan before eX-
pressing definite opinions: 1t may be said,
however, that there is a strong and increas-
ing disposition here, among. conservative;
men OF both parties to unite without unne-
,cessary delay upon any plan which shall be
shown to be constitutional and promise a
fair and honest settlement. The Joint com.
nlittee's plan will, therefore, have favorable
consideration from preponderant number
OF both parties in both houses, and, ii it is
meritorious, will probably be adopted,
though not without debate and vigorous
opposition from men who are bent
upon carrying their own plans and prefer
to bring on deadlock rather than submit
to compromise, however fair. There are
still few Republicans who insist that the
Vice-President must count the vote; that
the houses are only witnesses; and that
Governor Hayes must be counted in at all
hor ~ fhoJo ia
decreasing, but they will do their utmost to
defeat any measure the committee may pro-
pose. On the other side, there are Demo-
Gratis ready to maintain that the House OF
Representatives has inalienable rights; that
no vote can be counted without its consent;
and that they would rather have new cleo
tion than give up a iot Of their pretensions.
Those persons also are not numerous, but
they, too, will oppose the joint committees
plan, whatever that may be, and already
some OF them assert that the Republicans
have outwitted the Democrats once MORE
Washington special to Neu York Herald.
There is some dispute as to whether it is
proposed that the decision Of this tribunal
shall be final or not. 1t seems to us not a
matter worth discussing; for, on the one
hand, the board OF arbitration, il we may
so call it, is altogether eXtra-constitutional
and no law could give it any authority over
the count; and, on the other hand, neither
house would venture to override the judy
ment Of tribunal OF such character after
having voted to refer disputed questions
to it. 80. ...f-.e .f
The one fact about the present difficulty
which Democrats refuse to take into con-
sideration is that the result Of the election
was doubtful. This would seem to be
starting point for discussion, but it is COM
pletely overlooked by the other side. They
might as well know now that Republicans
will assent TO no plan for counting the vote
which takes the election Of Tilden for
granted. Leaving disputed questions to
that highly impartial body; the House OF
Representatives, would be such plan, and
the Republicans will in no event agree to it.
The Senate has quite as much power over
the matter as the House possesses. Repub-
licans are not TO be deprived OF their rights
by buster or by threats OF the House to
usurp all the power. Nor, on the other
hand, can Democrats be expected to as
sent in advance to any plan which can only
have the result Of bringing in Hayes.
Their objections to count, on the sole au-
thority OF the president of the Senate, are
Well-grounded. There are many Republic
cans who will object to it as strongly as any,
up, to the point Of % final and irresolvable
disagreement between the two houses.
When it comes to chioce between count
of such votes as the House is willing to
admit, and count Of the votes Of all the
States by the president OF the Senate, we
shall prefer the latter; because the Constl-
tuition admits, Of q construction which
would authorize such a. count, and 1t does
not. countenance the.right OF one house Of
Congress to constitute itself returning
board. :
= The plan which the Senate committee has
been reported to have regarded with favor
meets and satisfies the one test by which all |
plans will be judged. 1t admits that the |
result.of the election is doubtful, and pro-
eeeds to submit the disputed questions to "a
Jury which has not announced its verdict |
before the trial has begun The Jury pros
posed would be as fair.as can, befexpected
I'M the nature Of things. Neither party
would have advantages Id It's eonstitutio
and there lis the slightest possible element
OF chance in the throwing out Of the TENTH
person in the congressional delegation.
This lottery element, however, is the, int
trinity Of the .plan.1 ossor 4dysstissr. .
TInE.Si n voes 1 iT Hewitt Who isi