Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-07
Mr.. TIideh's Position,

Manton Marble publishes a review Of
the electoral commission and Mr.. Til
denis action in its regard. Mr.. Tilden's
plan was to combat to the bitter end
the claim Of the right on the part Of the
President ofthc Senate to select, reject,
or count the electoral vote. Mr.. NJ
article fills several columns, and it states
Mr.. Tilden's position as follows:
On January If. Mr.. Tidcn received
from Mr.. Hewitt's lips his first informa-
ton that other measures had been
abandoned that the Senate Conference
Committee had Just disclosed to the
House Conference Committee an cleo
toral commission bill it had been pri-
yately preparing; that the House COM
mittee were pressed to accept and adopt
the same Mr.. Tilden, in his interview
with Mr.. Hewitt did not withhold the
grounds CT his objection to the bill, as
a policy, or in its details. Expressing
some surprise at the fact, of which he
repeatedly as ured by Mr.. Hewitt,
that the democratic Senators had al
ready determined upon their course,
whatever his ADVICE Or wishes might be,
and'some surprise at the secrecy which
had shrouded the CESSATION of their
project. Mr.. Tilden observed that Sc
crecy in respect to any plan. implicat-
ing the rights and interests of so many,
was a mistaken and unfortunate policy.
lie recommended the widest publicity,
the fullest discussion, the freest consul
tatlon, as a democratic method always
excellent in itself, and contributing to
the prosperity and stability Of all self
government, and in the present instance
no way hurtful, but advantageous, rath-
er, to the interests of the democratic
party.
To the argument Of haste, Mr.. Tilden
replied:
"There is time enough. 1t is month
before the count. 1t had best be used.
all of it, in making the people and their
agents fully acquainted with their rights
and duties"
To the statement that the Senate
Committee would not delay for this to
present Their bill, with the unanimous
approval Of is three democratic mem
bers, to the republican Senate, Mr..
Tildon replied
1T is a panic of pacihcators. They
will act in haste, and repent at leisure"
To Mr.. Hewtt's representations OF
the danger of a collision Of force with
the Executive, Mr.. Tilden replied:
Nevertheless, this action is too pre-
cipitatc. The fears OF collision are eX-
agerated. And why surrender now
You can always surrender. That is all
YOU have to do after being beaten. why
surrender before the battle. Tor fear OF
having to surrender after the battle Is
oyer:"
The scheme which Mr.. Hewitt had
brought contained IN It's first draft a
provision by which six judges were to
be described in the act, one TO them
then to be eliminated by lot. To this
Mr.. Tllden's objection was peremptoly.
Said he, Il may loose the Presidency.
but | will not rattle for It,"
Ga the 10th of January Mr.. Tildcn
dictated and sent the following tele-
gram for transmission in cipher to
Washington, through the National COM
mittee rooms
New YORK. Jan. l6.
No need Of hot haste. but much dam
ger in il. Some days interval should be
taken. The risk OF publicity CS) harm
less.
No information here. nor any oppor-
tunity to get information which could
Justify abstinence from condcmning such
an abandonment Of the Constitution and
practice Of the Government and OF the
rights of the two Houses and Of the peo-
pie.
Nothing but great and certain public
danger, not to be escaped in any other
way. could excuse such a measure. We
are oycrprcssed by exaggerated fears and
forget that the other side will have
greater troubles than we,ullcs' re- EYED
by some agreement.
They have no way out but by usurpa-
ton; Ohey) are bullying Us with what
they dare not do, or will break down in
attempting.
SO long as we stand on the Const.tu-
ton and settled practice, we know where
we are. Consequence Of new eXpedient
no enough considered.
Only way OF getting accession in the
Senate is by the House to stand firm,
and iudicious friends believing in that
case we will 90 safely through. Oppor-
tunity to consult such friends should be
given. before even tacit acqucscencc
| (by House committee) if that is con
tcmplalcd. Though details may be
properly discussed, final committal by
House committee should be firmly with
held,
From that time forth Mr.. Tilden kept
silence.