The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-19
r,o ,,ress on the Electoral Decision

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.s. on the Electoral Decision.
r,r RECESSION IN THE LOUISIANA CASE. i.
r.a r,cc,aral Commission yesterday de-
-. ~ ~, the marty vote OF s to THE same
e.ur no Florida case--not only not to hear
~ as ~ testimony in regard to Louisiana, re-
s an. every motion to that effect, but
! usd nm order giving the electoral vote OF
D. Sta,o 70 HAYES and Wheeler. The facts
=. ,,Iot,on to the election in Louisiana and
- tho ac,;en OF the Returning Board being
~ widely known through the reports Of
Congressional committees and the inEestiga-
t;nns still pendng at Washington, 1t will DE
a great disappointment TO the public gene
rajIy 20 learn that she Commission excluded
thnm entirely. and refused to entertain
any motion IA 80 behind the certificates OF
the famous Returning Board. When the
law creating the Electoral Commission
was passed the plan thus devised for
reaching nm amicabie solution OF the points
in controversy was cordially welcomed by
the great mass OF the people, who desired
above all things to be assured in advance
OF A peacahlc way out OF the presidential
COMPLICATION. But they never imagined
that the decision on the question at issue
was to turn on legal bubbles, subt!eties,
and ayoidanccs The Commission was pop
ulsrly supposed TO be in the nature
OF a board OF arbitration, which
would conStrue its p powers LIBERAL
". and no. recognize without inquiry
as biuding acts done under apparent
forms OF law. but which were alleged by
the contestants to be merely cover for
fraudulent transactions. Whether such
allegations were true or false, the people
will never believe otherwise than that it
was within the province Of the Electoral
Commission to institute such inquiries rs
would enable them to form an impartial
judgment on the charges that We're pre-
ferred. Had the Commission gone into the
cases under review on their respective
merits, and then decided that notwithstand-
ing the frauds and irregularities with which
they were tainted, the certificates must
stand, because the Constitution and the
laws afford no remedy, that of itself would
have tended in i large degree to relieve the
public mind OF the disagreeable impression
that must now rest upon it.-Dditimore
Sun Independently
The majority OF the Electoral Commits
sion, in their action upon the Louisiana
case, have displayed persistent partisan
ship for wh;r!, even their action In the
Florida case did rot prepare the public
mind. In III" Florida case the commission
ruled TO admit evidence upon the question
OF ineligibiiity OF one Of the Hayes electors,
ii being known beforehand that no damage
would result from such action. twas not 50
in the Louisiana case, however, and after the
majority OF the Commission had voted
to exclude all evidence OF the frauds COM
mitted, and of the illegal character OF the
Returning Board, it also voted down reso-
1,,t, xt,,>st fGa NJ
ireligibility OF electors, rs had been done
in the Florida case. Morton is the leader
OF the majority. Onhis motion they voted
that the electoral votes Of Louisiana should
be counted for Hayes and Wheeler This
clearly indicates the action OF the Commits
sion on the Oregon case. 1t will make any
decision necessary to count in HareS.-Bdl-
timors Gazette (Democratic).
TREACHERY AND EDMUNDs.
WASHINGTON, February 16.-That faith
has been broken with the Democrats is not
denied. They were promised that there
should be an impartial Judicial arbitration
OF the points at dispute Instead, every.
thing has been considered and acted upon
with a sole view to its effect upon party
prospects. Therefore, should the Demo
Gratis exercise the power which they pos.
sesS to defeat the treachery by which Hayes
only can attain to the presidency, they
would not be doing so much as following
the example which has been set them. But
although some are so disposed it can be
stated with confidence that no such justice
will be resorted to. Bitter rs is the pill
the Democrats will stand by the results and
leave il to the people hereafter to put their
verdict upon what is done.
1t is now proper to state that Mr.. Ed.
munds Is the starter who led his associates
on the committee which framed the bill tt
believe that he regarded the bill as permit
ting the admission Of evidence. Mr.. Ed
munds without question laughs in his sleeve
at the manner in which he gulled the Dem
ocrats, and imagines that he has done him
self great credit. 1t was his cunning hant
that drew the bill, and read now, in tn
light OF events, its hidden meaning is clearl.
apparent.
1t was stated tonight at 4 conference o
leading Democrats that the secret history Q
the bill will most probably be disclosed be
fore the electoral count is over, and the pee
pie will then have the opportunity to sc
how under the guise Of fairness and iustic
foundation has been put under the glgan
tic pile of fraud on which Hayes is to noun
to the White House. 1t is thought yer
probable that the House will, after the meet
ing OF the joint convention tomorrow, tax
q recess to Monday without voting on tn
decision OF the Commission Correspond
euce Baltimore Sun