New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-23
COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTE.
A SPEECH FROM SENATOR MORGAN IN SUPPORT OF

|
| fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIEUNF.l
| WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Morgan's speech
| to-day in support of his resolution providing rules
for counting the electoral vote probably contains
all the arguments upon which the Democrats will
rely to secure the passage of the He JUS
tilted the form in which it is brought fOrward-that
of concurrent resolution, instead of an act of Con-
gcss-upon the ground that the Constitution places
the whole matter of counting tho electoral vote in
the hands of the two houses Of Congress, and that
to bring til subject forward in any form in which
it would require the sanction Of the Executive to
make it operative would be to do violence to the
spirit Of the Constitution and the evident intentions
of its trainers
Mr. Morgan went over the history Of electoral
counts and the rules by whichthey had been gov
crncd dwelling at considerable length upon the cir
cumstanccs which gave rise to the "Twcnty-sccond
joint rule and to its repeal" lie declared that the
Republicans devised that rule as a convenient
method of disfranchisIng eleven States. and when
it would no longer serve that purpose they repealed
it, lie said that the chief feature of the pcnlmg
resolution was exactly the reverse of the twenty
second joint rule in that 1t required that in
OF contest both houses must agree in their action
before the vote of n State could he rejected. Thus,
he explained the voice Of the State itself concur
ring with that of one branch of Congress, would
ensure the counting of the vote in question.
Mr. Morgan held that in counting the votes the
Senators and Representatives were clearly not
amcnable to instructions from their States. and
therefore their right, when both houses concur. to
act in opposition to the voice Of the state un
questionable.
Senator Morgan cOurteOuSly gave way to fire.
quent Interruptions, and although the Republicans
did not attempt to make any reply in detail yet the
measure was incidentally attacked In one of its |
Ia I,I
Senator Conkling who took occasion mt the same |
tmo to make short but stirring and humorous
political speech. lie had asked Senator Morgan a |
question. and while the latter replying Senator
Thurman and Senator Carpenter entered into con
vcrsation apparently of 4 very amusing character,
with Mr.. Conkling.
When Mr.. Morgan had finished his reply To the
question, and Senator COnklng's attention was
called to it, he begged to assure the Senator that he
had given close attention 10 his words. well rs 10
those OF another eminent Democratic Senator al the
same time upon subject which was upprr1nust in
election. The Srnator from Alabama was sreIlng
to provide a method fOr counting the votes, while
tho Senator from Ohio was more sOllcitOus about !
getting the votes: Ihe anxiety Of both Senators |
was unnecessary for tho people were going 10 elect
hc next President and by such decided majority
hat almost any method Of cOdnting tho votes
would answer.
Mr.. Conkling said the resolution was device
gotten up Tor the passing hour, and merely intended
10 operate on the urAt occasion for counting the
votes, and then cNprc. II mad" "a great show of
alrness in that il prov dcd that the concurrent ac-
ion of the two houses should pc required for reject
ng the vote Of any State. But thc senator well
knew that when the Democrats of the senate bv
heir minority, found II reason for casting ont nm
electoral vote, In thnt same hour the Democrats OF
ho louise would find similar reason for counting
mt tho Same vote. II the measure contained pro-
ision requiring the Affirmative action of the two
lOnscs for It's repeal, it would have. in some re-
pcct, an element Of pcrnamcncc. As II is II is
yancacent, and will expire with the present Con-
,res5.