Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-15
THE ELECTORAL Count.


The Morgan resolution relative to the
electoral count is SO manifestIy proper that
it is surprising that it has met with opposi-
ton from any quarter whatever. The as
sumption ofthe Republicans that single
individual has the right to count the vote of
all the States, pass upon the regularity of
the returns and declare the result without
any restriction upon his authority, is repug-
nant to every instinct of a liberty-loving
people. 1t is the establishment of one
man power that is capable of being pervert-
ed at any time into an engine of despotism
that may be employed to overthrow the re-
public and destroy what little of constitution
al liberty remains to us. No person sincere
ly DESTROYS of maintaining the government
established by the fathers can consistently
favor the continuance of so absurd sys-
tenn.
Mr.. Morgan's resolution is not partisan
measure. 1t simply gives to both houses of
Congress the privilege of determining whe-
Their or not the electoral vote of any State is
regular or otherwise, and requires the con-
currenoe of both houses for the rejection of
any electoral vote. The present Congress
will be called upon to count the vote of the
last election. Though both houses are at
present Democratic, no one presumes to say
that there will be any attempt made to
throw out the vote of any of the States that
recently decided in favor of Mr.. Garfield.
Such proposition would excite universal re-
probation if it did not create revolution and
civil war. The majorities received by the
Republican candidates are undisputed,
though the methods by which
they were obtained are open to
suspicion of dishonesty. 1t may be the
duty of Congress to inquire into these meth
DDS, but it is not at all probable, and scarcely
within the range of possibilities, that the in
quiry, if made, will in the remotest degree
change the results.
As heretofore remarked by the GLOBE, the
electoral system now in vogue is cumbrous
and senseless, and by far the best plan
would be to abolish it entirely and commit
to the people the priv iege of voting directly
for President and Vice President. The peo-
pie need no middle men, and are as compe-
tent to vote for their servants as Tom, Dick
Or Harry are after being chosen to perform
that ministerial office. Indeed, one half of
the voters do not understand the duties of
the electoral colleges, and when they cast
their votes fancy that they are voting for
this or that candidate directly. The only
thing that will enlighten them will be for
some elector or set of electors to prove req
reent to the party that chose him or them.
This might precipitate disturbance, but it
would have the effect of securing the early
abolition of the system, which, though per-
haps well enough for the few original States
that composed the Union, is entirely super
fuous and inconvenient under present cir
cumstances.
For want of ability on the part of Con-
gress to abolish the system, the Morgan
resolution is perhaps the best expedient that
can be devised at the present time. Tt
should be passed SO as to b. operative when
the fIal count is made in February. There
has already been too great delay and too
much needless discussion of subject that
commends itself to all reasoning men.