The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-04


upon virtue. Such methods, ignoring the
laws and Constitution of the country and
the plighted faith of the people, must work
out, sooner or later, the most lamentable
ends, and bring down in common ruin the
interests of all, whether parties to the wrongs
or not. There is deep solicitude being
awakened in respect to these matters, and
the calm presentation made by the Times
is but an imperfect reflection of the inten
sity of the feeling that is being inspired.
A persistent violation OF the laws, and
the practical denial OF rights which the
laws guarantee-whatever the pretext or
imagined provocation-will either lead to
the enactment of remedies adequate to the
emergency, or plunge the country, eventual
ly, mo internecine strife and anarchy.
Crime cannot brazenly obtrude its front into
high places, and Haunt the shame OF the
nation before the eyes of the world, without
sooner or later receiving an effectual check,
and invoking the retributive judgment of
the people.
We copy from the Times its reflections
under the caption above, in full, and ask for
them the careful perusal of all who have
the courage to stand by the laws of country,
whether in all particulars such as they may
think they ought to be or not:
The necessity of amending the law rela-
tive to the final count of the Presidential
vote is admitted. Scarcely less apparent is
the expediency OF providing by cOnstitu-
tional amendment for thoroughness and
uniformity in the proceedings of States rela-
tive to all Federal elections, and to all local
elections which, as in the case of a Legisla-
ture, have an indirect bearing on Federal
affairs. Events in 1876 brought into PROM
inence one of the dangers inherent in the last
stage OF contest for the Presidency. But
the danger extends much further. There is
more likelihood of inefficiency or fraud 10 the
action of the machinery provided by the
States, respectively, for the counting of the
popular vote, than at any other Sta ge of a
hotly-contested election. Yet it is here that
State authority is absolute, and that the &C.
zion of its returning board-whether called
by that or any other name-may most effec-
tually Illustrate the popular will. OF course,
any legislation now thought of at Washing
ton aims at correcting wrongs that may be
alleged liz connection with tho preparation
OF returns, as we'll as for providing against
conflicting pretensiOns in Congress. But
the machinery of the States is under the sole
control of the States, and Federal legislation,
however carefully devised, must leave the
most glaring opportunities for partisan irreg-
ularity and injustice untouched. Each State
will have authority over the tribunal intrust-
ed with the vital business Of revising and
counting the returns; and the tribunals will
oil in thoir 4
ness as in their CONF position. In the common
interest of the Union, it is desirable to rectify
this anomalous condition OF things. The
Importance of providing adequately for pos
sible disputes at Washington is not greater
than the Importance of preventing roguery
IN the doings Of the revlsory body, whatever
it be. to which each State has referred the
duty of making the returns. More than or
binary legislation is needed to overcome this
difficulty.
The Federal election laws are an attempt
to regulate in Che general interest the con-
duct of Congressional elections, and the hos
tility evinced by certain classes to the meth
DDS employed are the best proof Of their
comparative efficiency. There is, however.
no good reason, save the constitutional lin
itation, why the application of such methods
should stop where it does. Federal author
ity is as much concerned in the integrity OF
the Legislature by whom Senator is chosen
as in the integrity of the popular vote for
Representatives. But the Federal law,
while covering the election OF the members
of one branch OF Congress, leaves the cleo
ton of the other subject to contingencies
over which the State alone has jurisdiction.
What is now going on in Maine shows how
possible contingencies might be used to de-
termine the partisan complexion Of the Leg
islature, and indirectly to determine the oc-
cupancy of seat in the United States SEN
ate. Granting that the judicial power might
be locally invoked to prevent some parts of
the outrage originally spoken of as in con-
temptation, a strange and dangerous anomaly
will yet remain. And Maine does but eX-
empiIfy peril which in one form or another
exists in other States. Partisan complica-
lions are conceivable which in any one of
many States would admit of the consum~
nation of frauds as shameless as those
threatened in Maine. Hardly two Of the
States are exactly alike in respect of the
means devised for ascerraining and declaring
results Of the popular vote; and in too many
of the States the agencies employed fail to
satisfy the requirements of reason and right.
The New York machinery is VIGOROUSLY de-
fective, but it is perfect in comparison with
the machinery which elsewhere grinds out
results in fulfillment Of predetermined
purpose, however much it conflicts with the
honest expression of the peoples will.
State rights, in their proper place, are
worthy of the most jealous cafe. But when
State rights, real or pretended, ARE made pre-
text for the pernicious exercise which direct
ly or indirectly concerns the whole country. it
is time to consider whether an amendment
to the Constitution should not be submitted
with the view of protecting more effectually
the purity of the ballot-box in loci Legis-
latiye as we'll as in Federal elections. This
purpose implies more than the guardianship
of voters: it extends to whatever machinery
is organized for ascertaining and declaring
the vote. At present the machinery is Meth.
er uniform nor adequate; constitutional
amendment might be framed that would in
sure it's being both. North and South afford
proofs OF the necessity of some change OF
this character. The scandal threatened In
Maine should be impossible. The facilities
which ENABLE the Louisiana Bourbons to
predict that whatever the voting may be the
returns will he 'sall right" condemn the
system under which they can be employed
with impunity. We cannot admit that the
reserved power which gives to State the
right to control its election machinery in
way that benefits scoundrels at the cost of
Lie
maintenance of the Federal system. Elec-
ton frauds, whether at the polls or in the
secrecy of returning boards, are an offense
against the whole Union; and it is not un>
reasonable to suppose that as the best mode
of perfecting the operation of representative
government, three fourths of the States will
some day be willing to ratify an amendment
that will secure just and capable revisory
boards in all the States. The Bourbon doc
triue of State rights conflicts with the per-
feet exercise Of the peoples rights.
Lexington Enterprise: Up to last Sunday
Mr.. Jacob Siler. of upper Kerr's
creek, had inhabited this mundane sphere
over eighty years. While his family we're at
church on the day mentioned. be hung him
,elf to one OF the rafters 10 bis dwelling.
standing on chair to adjust the reps.