New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-11
ROCK THEIR GAME.

AS usual. the Democrats have bundered.
Instead of attending TO public business, they
block the way in Congress with partisan
movement which is ill-timed and pOintless II
it is not revolutionary. They loudly assert
that the movement is not meant to affect the
counting of the electoral vote this year. Then
let it be postponed until thai vote has been
counted. They profess to have no desire to
dispute the election OF General Oarnelu.
Then let his election be declared without any
wrangle about the forms. There Will be
time enough aiterward to frame regulations
for the counting four years hence. 10 lnsist
mon action on that subject now, when neg
lected public business needs instant attention.
is To convince reasonable men that al these
professions are false. and that some rascaily
scheme to defeat the will o. the people lies
behind the soft words. The Republicans are
right in resisting the passage OF any resoIu-
ton on this subject in the present circum-
stances. They would be right, moreover, IN
resisting Mt any time and under any clrcum-
stances the passage of the resolution now
pending.
The Constitution supplies all the rule that
is necessary. Four years ago The TRIBUNE
called attention repeatedly to the provisions
of The Constitution and showed that the power
to count the electoral votes was by that IN
strnmcnt vested III the Vice-Presldent alone.
The presence of the two houses OF Congress
was intended to be, and necessarily would De-
q powerful moral restraint against the COM
mission of any wrong by him. The publicity
and soemnity Of the act the presence or the
two bodies which would have power, IN case
OF any misconduct, the one TO impeach nm
instantly. and the other to convict ana dis-
grace him. are deemed by tn, Constitution
ample safeguards against any abuse OF TIE
power entrusted to the second officer OF the
Government. But it may as well be said, first as
last that any rule that Congress can possibly
BASS on this subject would be "A nuIity. The
constitutional power of the Vice-Prcsldent
cannot be usurped by any resolutions, or by
any formal enactments OF Congress. If Vice.
President Wheeler, mt the appointed time, the
two houses having assembled to witness
the proceeding, counts the votes ana
declares Garfield and Arthur elected, the
Constitution requires that those persons
shall be inauguruted and obeyed rs Pres
idcpt and Wee President, and gives 40
mower whatever TO either branch of Con-
gress to set aside that formal declaration.
The remedy, il that solemn trust should be
abused, need not now be discussed, but 1t can
be found in the Constitution also, by any one
WHO viii search with an honest desire to dis
cover what that instrument really provides,
and in what spirit aud with what purpose it
was framed.
The passage Of . resolution which Congress
has no right to pass. attempting to uSurp
powers which do not belong to Congress at
all. ought to be resisted by Republicans If
the mode OF counting the electoral votes is to
be changed, il can be done only by an amend
ment of the Constitution. But the pending
resolution, if it were entirely proper and wise
in itself, has no business before Congress at
this time. 1t is an impertinence or fire.
brand. If it is not meant to prepare for a
revolutionary resistance to the viii OF the
people, there is no decent reason for pressing
it until after the electoral votes have been
counted. If it is so meant, it ought to be re-
sisted to the end, by every means known to
parliamentary law