The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-01-19


IN It's structure aud lis purposes. II T.
seli-perpciuating, having power 70 fiji
vacancies In lis own numbers. Its du-
ration has no prescribed limit. IL is
above the reach Of law. for il can count
in its own law makers. Composed AS il
ls Of men who have committed the high
est crimes against Rcpublican govern
mcnt u can perpetuate its dcspotism at
pleasure. IL H. wanting in no bad iea-
turc Of hereditary dcspotism.
Under The Constitution Of the United
states. which guarantees to each State Il
Republican government. such an iusti-
tuition has no claim 10 recognition. N
could not righlluIly exist even for lie
exercise Of Legitimate public function.
i has arbitrarily rejected many ihous-
ands Of the votes east by the citizens OF
Louisiana. which had been duly certified
by The proper returning officers. This
act changed the government Of that
state. and was intended 10 change the
Administration OF the Federal Govern
mcnt.
10 hold that certificates bv such n
Board. Of result thus produced. il con
elusive evidence Of the will Of the pco-
pie Of Louisiana. would be a mockery
and an outrage upon the rights OF the
people. "A false government set upon
such technlcality would command no
respect and would deserve none.
II a Returning Board thus constituted
and clot he'd with such dangerous powers
could under any circumstances bc a le-
gitimate institution, still this Returning
Board was not such. for Ii was not or
ganized as the law Of its existence re-
quired. That law requires that il should
be composed OF five members. and that
All political parties should be represented
In It's membership. These were essen
tial features in its standing existence.
and while either was lacking il was in
competent 10 perform the functions of a
Returning Board. 1t was lacking in
both these features. as ID was composed
of but four meTbcrs, and they were all
members Of The Republican party, Its
proceedings Were fraudulent, and con-
~cquen;iy its decisions and pretended
were void. In disregard Of
justice and right and law returns were
opened. papers attached. and sealed
again; in other cases returns were not
obtalned npon pretext: parishes and
parts of parishes were thrown from the
count without legal right or jus,ifca-
ton. and always So as 10 weaken the
Democratic vote, and never TO diminish
the Republican vote.
j. 10 expected that more than four
nf voters will conicntedly ac-
quiese in being deprived Of the fruits or
the contest through which we have
passed fruits which they prize because
they are the reforms that will bring them
aud their childlel, blessings. bv a poljti-
cai machine unknown in all previous
history of the country and incapable of
action with the other Re-
publican naci.incrv ef State. whose
organization is legally defective and in
valid. ana whose action is fraudulent.
and null and void:
Entertaining these v;cws. we resolve
That IL II The imperative duty or Con-
grcss 20 provide bv law Il plan for
counting the Electoral vote. which ~
its reasonabiencss and Justice will COM
mend itself 70 The Judgment of the pco.
pic and command itcir acquesence IN
the result Of the count. and that this
should hc done az The earliest day con.
Slslent with due deihcration. 10 tie end
that The disquiet which new peryades
tho people may be allnyed.
that. according 10 ,ae plain meaning
of me constitution. and according 10 all
past political usage, the power OF count
in1 the vote resides in the two Houses
OF Congress.
That we dcnouncc the proposition
that The President of the senate na. the
power. not only 10 open. but to count
the vote. az an innovation which Inc
sentiment Of the people will mol tolerate.
lf such power shall he assumed. and its
exercise attempted. we call upon the
two liouscs Of Congress 10 take prompt
and ciirctual measures for the assertion
oi their constitutional prcrogativc in
that regard.
That if Congress shall provide bv law
4 Just plan Tor counting the electoral
vote, one which VIII lie fair not only n
NE present emergency, but torall fiture
rs well. we pledge our ac-
1nicscencc IN the result, whatever II
may be.
That IL the Senate shall claim that IL
presiding officer. like the Returning
Boards Of Florida aud Louisiana. has lie
absolute power 10 designate The Presi- |
dent and Virc President. we call upop
he House Of Representatives "a excri all
~ constitutional powers 10 defeat the
nsurpation. aud we pledge II our sup-
port with all the resources which people
whose fundamental liberties are threat
sned, can constitutionally command.
VOORHEES, RESOLUTION.
Resolved, That committee OF five bc |
appointed BY the President orthis Con