The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-01-31
A GREAT PEACE MEASURE.
THE COUNT OF THE ELEC-
TORAL VOTE.

AOAS&4A WO4Als
On our first page we publish the
full text of the bill providing for
and regulating the counting of votes
for President and Vice-Presideut and
the decision of questions arising
therein, for the term commencing
March 4, 1917" The bill, as printed,
passed the Senate last Thursday by
a vote of AZ yeas to IL nays, and
the House, on Friday, by the over
whelming majority of 191 yeas to sc
nays, seven Democrats and seven
Republicans being absent. 1t was
enrolled and signed by the Speaker
of the House and the President pro
tenn Of the Senate, and probably ap
proved by the President last Satur-
day. This secures, we believe, q
peaceful, if not entirely satisfactory
settlement Of the Presidential diff
Guilty. The bill originated with the
best men OF both parties and from
that class receives its support, while
as a matter of course it has met the
fercest opposition from the Mortons,
Chambers, Camerons, and their CO.
horts in conspiracy against the peace
of the nation and the threatened life
OF the republic. If the way marked
out by this bill be followed, the
whole country will be satisfied by
its fairness and the decision will
have the support of every honest
man and patriot in the whole coun-
try. Should Mr.. Hayes be by them
declared entitled to the votes of
Florida and Louisiana, and to the
Cronin vote in Oregon, and to the
Sollace vote in Vermont, then let
Hayes be inaugurated, and let all
men yield him loyal support.
But with such a result, the Radi-
cal party would be wiped out of ex-
isteuce in the next election. There
would be no need then of Returning
Boards. Maine, Vermont, Kansas
and Iowa would be the only pail
bearers to be found to bear off the
dead carcass of the party. 1t would |
be ground into powder. Besides.
the present House and the incoming |
House are Democratic, and the next !
one would be more overwhelmingly |
so than that of 1874. But this is not
a mere partisan question, but ques-
ton of the permanence Of the repub-
lie and of the ability of Americans
of this generation to govern them
selves. It is the central idea of rep
resentative government that out Of
the antagonisms of opposing ideas
sound principles are established and
harmony of action secured.
At this time it is difficult to fully
realize how much the nation is in
debted to the wisdom and patriotism
of the members of the joint commit
tee who reported the bill for the cleo
toraI commission. The situation
was probably graver than most peo-
Pile are aware, but the complexion
of affairs has been changed alto
gether by the introduction of the
bill. 1t is but just and fair to say
that the Republican members Of the
committee deserve special honor for
their manly stand against the viol-
ence of the Jacobins of the party,
who seemed to have obtained en-
tire control Of the administration.
1t is no secret that the Radical
leaders Of the party regard the ap-
pointment of the joint committee
as a mere blind, which would serve
10 divert public opinion while the
plans to force Hayes into the Pres
dential Office were perfected. There
fore the action of the committee was
L great surprise to them.
The bill provides against "filibus-
ering," as it is called, in either
House, by limiting two hours the de- !
pate upon any objection that may
rave been made to the counting of '
my Electoral vote or votes, or upon L
objection to the report of the Com +
mission. When the debate shall
AVE lasted two hours, the main
question must be put. Again: the ~
oint meeting to be held in Februa- I
Y shall not be dissolved until the E.
cunt of the Electoral votes shall be -
and the result declared ; =
or shall either House direct arecess =
f such House beyond the next day, o.
t 10 A. NJ. Finally, nothing in the .,
ct shall impair or affect any right -
ow existing to try, by judicial pro- ~
ess, the right or title of the person -
no shall be declared elected, or who +,
hall claim to be, President or Vice -
resident. ar
The Joint Committee say in their
,port that they have endeavored to
anne ga fair and impartial meas
re = and that they think it would
. difficult, if not impossible, to es- To
.blish a tribunal that could be less :.
Ie subject of party criticism than o1 9
e proposed Commission. They up
1t bound by the highest duty to ed
. ~, hina or ,,nrf,r faaIinor stand in de