The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-02-01
HOW THE PHEsIDENT WILL Bf:
CHOsEN--KEEP 1T BEFORE you.

That our readers may have before
them the rules by which the commits
sion Of congressman and judges will
be guided in adjusting questions affect
ing the disputed succession to Grant,
we give a synopsis OF the act of Con-
gress creating the commission. It is
only a temporary measure, limited in
operation to present facts. The com
mission enters upon its tasks and be-
gins the counting Of votes on the first
instead of the fourteenth OF February,
as at first provided. The two houses
meet in the Hall Of Representatives,
and everything pretending to be GER
tificate is opened by the President Of
the Senate and handed to the tellers,
of whom there are four, two for each
49, E1eertificates being opened in
alphabetical order, Alabama first.
When a certificate has been reads the
President OF the senate calls for objec-
tons, which must be in writing and
argued by at least one senator and one
representative, whether there be only
one or two returns from the State, in
the case OF which objection is made.
II there is only one return, the Senate
withdraws and the objections are con-
sidered in the following manner:
The presiding officers state the OBJ
3eekions, and each senator and repre-
sentative may speak ten minutes and
not oftener than once, but the main
question shall be put after two hours
debate.
ii. A recess may be taken until 10
O'clock next day, pending the consld-
Grafton of any objection, and either
house may transact legislative business
while waiting the action of the other
on objections.
III. When the two houses have voted
they Immediately meet again, and the
presiding officers announce their dccis-
IONS.
~. II both concur in the objection
II Is sustained, and il they disagree it
is over-ruled.
Sixth. II there are two returns the
z objections are referred to the comis-
sion, whese composition and mode Of
action are thus stated:
l. Each of the houses elected five
members by UiDd UOce vote Yesterday,
and the Associate Justices of the Su-
preme Court assigned to the following
districts: First Justice Clifford,
Third Justice Strong), Eighth Jus
tice Miller, and Ninth Justice Field,
chose yesterday fifth justice, who
with themselves will form part of the
commission.
II. The oldest justice (Clifford) pre-
sides over the commission and admin
listers a special oath to its members tC
impartially examine and consider al
questions.
III. 1t is not in the power of elthel
house to dissolve the commission o
withdraw any of its members, but the,
fill vacancies caused by the death o
inability to act of any of their re
spective members, and the remaining
justices IN the same manner replace
aay of the justices If vacancy arist
among them from the same causes.
~. The commission is given thu
same powers, now possessed by the
two houses acting separately or to
gether, TO decide upon the electora
votes, and submits its decision il
writing to the two houses, which there
upon meet again in joint session.
V. The counting of the votes pro
ceeds in conformity with the decision
of this commission, unless, upon ob
lection made to it, in writing, signeC
by five senators and representatives
the two houses concurrently orde
otherwise.
Seventh--The certificates being oper
ed and read in the alphabetical orde
OF States, when objection is made t
the vote of any State, no other certit
cate is opened until the objections ar
acted upon and finally disposed of.
Eighth-While in joint session n
debate is permitted, and no motion
except to withdraw, allowed. Debat
can only be had in separate session, a
already specified, and adjournment
only rs provided when the two house
are considering objections.
Ninth--Nothing in the act is to /
regarded as impairing or affecting IN
right under the Constitution or Law
to question the right or title of VIII,
ever shall be declared President /
proceeding in the courts.
The common sense of the counti
has long since reached the conclusio
: that either political party can bette
afford to lose the fruits of victory tina
plunge the States into armed conflic
and whatever the decree of this con
mission, it will be accepted by Il
country as final. 1t is only unfortr
nate that the people do not actual
make the president, and this resu
comes OF the degradation of the rigl
OF suffrage, which, in these Southel
States, must be supervised even by r
turning boards.
TO LESSEN TAXATION ONE-HA l.