Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-12-17

The pr0pr1ety OF y cn"hse
ing laws regulating the election oil Presi-
dent and vice-President has been agitated
for many years, but it was not until after
the cancellations Of the last election con-
fronted both political parties, that the ne
cessity for such change was universally adj
mitted. The probability that the next
election will be thrown into the House,
and that the Presidency may again be OF
the disposition Of one or W men, with no
axed opinions, barring their financial hob
bies, renders II additionally important
that some improvement in the present law
shall DO speedily enacted. A committee
was appointed in both Houses Of Congress
TO deal with this perplexing question, and
the Senate Committee presented the result
Of their labors in the shape Of a bill which
passed that body on Friday last. This bill
provides that hereafter Presidential cleo
tons shall occur in October, that the Elec-
toral College shall meet at the Capital OF
their respective States on the second Mon
day Of January following. The two Houses
shall meet in joint convention for counting
the vote at the same time as now provided,
and TO proceed in almost the same manner.
Should there be two or more returns from
suv State, the State shall not be counted
unless both Houses agree as to the legality
Of one Of them. To reach this decision
each House sits in its own chamber, and
two hours are allowed for discussion. In
order to prevent fillibusteiing it is pro-
vided that not more than two hours shall
be given to the consideration Of any one
State.
These are the main features OF the bill
% drawn by that subtle crafty e%xpounder Of
orthodox Republicanism, Senator Ed
munds. When we consider that he was
the father Of the Electoral Commission
bill, by which, through the hidden mean
ing Of certain phrases, Mr.. Tilden was de-
frauded Of the Presidency, 1t is not sur
prising that the Democrats in both Houses
Of Congress are disposed TO accept it charity,
and that its defeat in the House is more
than probable. Besides, the only especial
features of the bill are those which prevent
Allibustering, and makes it incumbent
upon Congress to take action in a given
time. 1t makes no provision for rending
an impartial decision should both Houses
be Of the same political faith. The House
Committee, Of which Mr.. Southland is
Chairman, have also prepared a bill, which
leaves the election Of President as now
provided ON the first Tuesday after the
hrst Monday of November; and the meet
ing Of the electors on the first Monday OF
the January following, but provides that
the electors after voting shall prepare
three returns instead Of two, as is now the
law, one Of which shall be sent by messen-
yer and another by mail to the President
Of the Senate. while the third shall be depos-
tied with the Judged the district in which
Ahe electors shall meet. II there is q cor
~6roversy regarding the eligibility OF
electors, or If the election Of any is dis
puted, tho same shall be decided by the
highest judicial tribunal Of the State, who
shall forward Its decision to the President
Of the Senate, which shall be final unless
rejected by the vote Of both Houses. Sen
ator Edmunds' plan provides that the vote
of no State shall be counted unless both
Houses Of Congress agree to count it. Mr..
Southard's plan provides that all votes
shall be counted unless both Houses agree
to reject one or more. Southland makes
each State responsible through its Judici-
ary for the authenticity of at least one re-
turn, and provides for the receipt Of none
but that. Edmunds leaves the power OF
determination with Congress. Southard's
bill. like Edmund's, prohibits the extension
Of the count beyond five calendar days,
and Is quite as stringent against fillibuster-
ing. 1t Is scarcely possible that either OF
these bills will become q law at the present
session. The next Congress, which will be
Democratic in both branches, will be called
upon to settle the vexed question. No
aegislation which they will enact, however
impartial, is likely to receive the sanction
Of Mr.. Hayes, and the country'will in 1880,
once moro be brought in contact with a
problem that came near convulsing it in
the throes Of civil war in 1876.
TIE Carson Tribune has q correspondent
who swears by the Eternal that MI. Sharon
must either 60 to Washington at once or
resign. The little man is likely to get into
trouble II he does not do the one thing or
the other. A resolution by the Legislature
declaring his seat vacant is among the
probabilities. We don't know that such
action would amount to anything. since the
Senate Of the United States is the sole
Judge Of the election and qualification Of
IT. own members. but it would ut least call
down upon our nonresident Senator very
general adverse criticism. If Mr.. Sharon
would avoid an ~unenviable notoriety, he
viii hasten 70 Washington.
----s>
AcrrNa under instructions from the frau
dulent Administration, the Washington
correspondents soberly that An
derson il languishing from anxiety to APP
pear before the Matthews Committee. Not
: bit Of it. He is too comfortably fixed in
Eureka to desire to make . pilgrimage to
Warrington. and as the Committee are en-
ragged in the landable undertaking Of try
ing to whitewash Matthews, they don't
desire his attendance. 1t is q stand-of be-
tween the two, but, as usual, Anderson is
called on TO bear the onus.
4 CORRESPONDENT Of the RepeiHe de-
nands the resignation Of Senator Sharon,
snd urges the claims Of Congressman Wren
q his successor. It is not likely that Mr..
sharon will resign, and, il he should, it is
am moro unlikely that Mr.. Wren would