The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-05
Breakers Ahead.

A Washington dispatch TO the New York
Sua Of May %, says:-All present indiea.
tons warrant the belief thai Congress will
continue in session for another month. The
ordinary routine Business cannot be driven
through inside OF fortnight, and there are
measures pending which ought to be passed
before day for adjournment is absolutely
fixed.
The opposition Of Mr.. Conkling, Mr.. Ed.
munds, and other Republican leaders TO the
proposed joint rule for counting the electoral
votes has significance which does not appear
on the surface. They, aud the whole party
by their votes, fought il TO the bitter end, and
even 6libustered to defeat il by refusing to
make quorum. #uN FfNh
That rule is the fairesi and best that has
been proposed for the object since the first
departure from the old accepted methods was
made BY the Republicans in 1866, on the eve
Of the count for Mr.. Lincolns second term,
in what is familiarity known as the Twenty.
second joint rule.
The history Of that rule is peculiar. The
Republicans had large majorities in both
Houses. The House passed u joint resolution
Feb. O, 1865, which the Senate eoncurred in,
declaring that the States Of Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Ar.
kansas, and Tennessee were not entitled 10
representation in the Electoral College for
the choice Of President, because they had
been for three years in an alleged state of re.
bellion. This resolution was sent TO Mr.
Lincoln, who was suspected Of not being ia
accord with the extremists in Congress. They
feared that he might not sign it, and on the
next day, Feb. Z, 1865, the Twenty second
joint ruls was invented and rushed through
both Houses without debate. Under its op.
GRAFTON State could be disfranchised by the
objection OF one House, and its electoral vote
could not be counted without the concurrence
Of both. Mr., LincOln's hands were thus tied
behind his back. On the third day, Feb. 8,
1865, the votes were counted, and the States
ia question were excluded.
The present rule requires both Houses to
agree before an electoral vote can be reiec.
ted, and regulates the methods for reaching a
conclusion. 1t limits the powers of the Vice
President by wholesome restraints upon his
decisions. In other respects il is as just as
any plan can be that departs from the honored
usage under the Constitution.
Now, If Mr.. Conkling and his associates
mean to move on straigh instead ola crook
ed line, and TO have IAN honest count in.
stead Of fraudulent one like that Of 1875,
why did they so persistently and doggedly
oppose this proposition? There can be no
cheating under il. Everything is open and
above board. There is no concealed magi.
clan in the machinery. The Democrats could
have held back until next winter, after the
Presidential election, aud then have reenaoted
the Twenty second Republican rule, which
would place any disputed vote entirely at
their mercy. They preferred to settle that
fkn fal .NEs aaftIi On
round, TO get it out OF the way, free from par
lisan faint and agitation.
Perhaps the utmost calmness and prudence
will be needed next December, when Con-
gress comes together. Human wisdom ear.
not foretell the turn political events may take
before that time. 1t is therefore, well to be
prepared for possible contingencies when Mr.
Conkling, heading as he does the third.term
movement, and speaking Of the Presidential
election in connection with this rule, says
boastfnlly 81 tell the honorable Senator
from Alabama u 10 f0regohe conclusion, aud
all OF them put together cannot, in my judg'
ment, eircumvent or coulute the result"
The country has seen, recently, the desper-
ate methods of Conkling, Cameroa, aud 10.
gan in their effort to steal the nomination Of
Grant at Chicago. Does anybody suppose
that, il they succeed there, they will become
suddenly moderate in their modes Of proceed.
ing, aud appeal only TO the sober second
thought for support OF the third term2 We
know what they did four years ago This
faction is fighting for supreme control Of the
party and for possession of the Government;
the leaders will not hesitate at any means 10
attain their ends.
Ii is safe to pass whatever measure Conk.
hing and Edmunds may oppose which bears