Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-01-13
A SECOND ELECTION.

One of the propositions looking toward
a settlement of existing difficulties, is that
which proposes to setaside all proceedings
thus far, and at some time within the
next year hold another election for Pres
ident and Vice President. A law Of Con-
gress designed to meet emergencies in
which there should be failure TO elect
both by the people and the House Of Rep
resen:atives, is to be the authority by
which the order for a new election will
be valid. a second proposition comes
from Fernando Wood, ore Of the leading
Democrats Of New York. His PROPOSE (
tion is that there be a new election held
in the States of Florida, South Carolina
and Louisiana, the only States about
which he claims there is any dispute. 1t
would seem from this that Mr.. Wood
does not think much OF Governor Growers
little dodge in Oregon. Either Of these
propositions we think, are not justifabie
under existing circumstances.
There was an election held for Presi-
dent in accordance with law last Novem-
Der. Although there were several can
/ didates voted for, it is not claimed that
any but Hayes and Tilden received elect
orm votes. 1t would then seem hat as
there cannot be tie in the Electoral Col
lege, that one Of these two must have re-
ceived a majority of the votes cast, and
was consequently elected. This is the
reasonable and logical view. The only
ground which can be shown as a reason
why the people of this country should be
nut Ia !!.a axpons Sc and tnrmac.. oi another
election, is simply that the returns from
four States are contested and double set
OF electors have sent returns TO the Presi-
dent Of the Senate. 1t would seem that
no matter what complications might ex-
ist, the patriotism of the nation repre-
sented in the two Houses OF Congress
could devise remedy, and if such be
the case, so little a matter as 20 decide
which set of Electors in each State were
elected would seem to be the last thing
which could stand in the way of peace
able solution OF the question at issue. 1t
stands to reason that one of the two we
have named must have been chosen, ard
whichever one is so declared will be ac-
cepted in good faith though to either one
will attach the suspicion Of owing his po-
sitIon 10 influences which should never
have been brought to bear.
The proposition Of Mr.. Wood is, how
ever, more untenabe than the other. 1t
would be the most perfect farce ever en-
- acted, to hold elections in the three dis
States which went Overwhelmingly Dem
., ocratic, and whose majorities for that
party run up into the tens of thousands
There would be scarcely body guard OF
Republican votes cast when compared
- with the numbers which could be fraudu
% . lently voted from adjoining sovercignties
. The great point in dispute in regard tC
= the South Carolina contest is, whether
the votes of the Georgians who carricC
the counties OF Edgefed and Laureni
for Hampton and the Democratic legsa
tors should be counted, or thrown out
There is queer sort of logic in the argu
ments of our Democratic friends, that i
vote once gets into the ballot box, i
must be accepted in any event, and th
-; sort of logic is one which has come int,
use in these later days. Our recollection
are tolerably vivid of precincts and votes
and even counties having been throw
- out of election returns before now, fo
non compliance with the election laws
and the action was accepted without cavil
G. But under the new lights, it would seen
be that the only way in which there can b
,n Z" fair count" is to accept every vot
ed which gets into the ballot box, regardles
er how it came there. If such is the case
i'll of what use are the laws Of Louisiana
o. Florida and South Carolina, governin
ms the action of Returning Boards? Non
il whatever. The proposition of Mr.. Woo
ed will not hold water for the very reaso
that 1T would only prove an incentive t
or greater fraud, greater violence and create
is intimidation than the election of 1876.
Isl The joint committee of the two house
,ta having under consideration the mannc
all of providing for the count Of the Electors
vote, should rise above party and preser
m"a ~ some plan which could be acquiesced
n by both branches of Congress. The pee
.ul pie are ready for any poaceable solutio
he of the question. 1t is better to submit
is the rule Of either of the aspirants than I
re have the national government get int
ct, any situation like that in which the Stat
al Governments of Louisiana and Sout
Id Carolina are placed. 1t can be dor
es, without the turmoil and ll-feeling whc
10 a new election will be sure to bring in |
~ train, and in the four years which wi
re. intervene before another President
It'll canvass comes around, a better way
wa choosing a Chief Magistrate than the OF
Dat we have can be devised.
ISL r~-sr-~s----------s-~-
led
yer DUAL GOVERNMENTS The spectac