The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-06
DAVID DUDLEY FIELDS BILL.
Importance Attached to Launching
a Ship in America.
THE NOMINATION FOR DOORKEEPER
Another Tilt Between Represent
4 ,ae atives Cox and Butler.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

ssf WASHINGTON. April s, lS7a
THE ELECTION OF PREsIDRNT-A MAJORITY
AND MINORITY REPORT or THE suB-coM-
MIrrEE OF THE HOUSE coMMIrTEE.
subcommittee OF four-Messrs. Southard, Bick-
NELL Brogden and Herbert-were instructed by the
Committee the Question Of Electing President to
make a report The three d rst named reported
TO the iuil committee amendment giving the cleo
ton to the people directly, dividing tho vote In zach
State among The candidates voted Tor, giving
10 each such number votes In the
Electoral College would be equivalent to hts pro-
portion OF the popular vote and giving de ONCE to
the plurality candidate, requiring majority
all. But Mr.. Herbert, OF Alabama, makes ablo
minority report. protesting against the election Of
President by the popular vote contrary 10 the
spirit OF tho constitution, which intended TINT
tho States States, and not the popular
majority, should choose the Chief Magistrate
Mr. Herbert remarks that all the arguments
which are made Tor q popular election OF Presi-
ucnt apply with equal orco against the existence OF
the Senate, and THAI, 1t 1t Is shown that many Presi-
acnts have not received popular majority, the
swer is that the constitution did not intend, and
that this is il shown by the TACT
That in the Senate a majority OF Soma
Tors represent only a small minority oil
The popular vote Mr.. Herbert urges that the present
ystcm, besides being in harmony with the general
prt OF the uton, III TACT safeguard against
andue and general popular excitement during Prcs
aenual canvass. II the President to be chosen
~ popular vote as proposed, he observes. all the
people IN every State would be equally excited, b.
every voter in every State would feel that the
Election might IN the end depend on him, while now
many OF the States prep On derantly either
publican democratic that they preserved from
u"due excitement and extreme partisan spirit, and
only IN those where parties closely balanced will
there DO deep popular feeling. Mr. Herbcrrs
minority report Will find good deal OF sympathy
among The most thoughtful men or both parties in
both houses senator Norton tried TO carry through
the Senate an amendment int the President should
BE- cleo ed by popular vote, but failed.
THE LAUNCHING or szIP-A STRIKING COM
MENrARy ON THE POLICY OF THE GOVERN
MESr TOWARD OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
The greater part OF the Naturalization and Q con-
siderable part OF Congress geing TO Chester To-
morrow to witness and celebrate what has be
almost rs great event 10 this country It was a
century ago-tho launching oil q ship IL is singular
ana not very agreeable commentary tho CONNER
cal policy which prevailed during the last
years Ii any Clyde Birkenbead shipbuilder
should ask tho British Cabinet and Parliament
10 witness the launching OF merchant vessel he
would be thought demeutcd But in this country,
with the most ingenious and skiliul mechanics. the
greatest coast line the best labor saving conrvances
and in TACT greater advantages than any other nation
IN the world Tor building and sailing ships, II is
apparently an event Of national importance that
have completed aud abous launch a merchant
vessel Of The first class Yet every attempt change
policy which has brought US 10 so Illuminating .
position meets with tho btterest opposition.