New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-10

The Democratic majority in Congress, after
consultation in caucus, have decided upon
a joint resolution regulating the counting
of the votes Of Presidential electors. In
it they abandon the doctrine of State
Rights, which was recognized in the measure
which formerly passed the Senate, and make
the two houses of Congress the sole judges
of the legality of the elections in the several
States and of the eligibility of each Presi-
Dental eleCtOr. The resolution, if adopted,
will virtually place the choice of President
and Vice President in the hands of Congress.
PLAN FOR STEALING THE PRESIDENCY
THE DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS ABANDONED BY
THE DEMOCRATS FOR A PURPOsE-CoNCCRRENT
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR COUNTING THE
ELECTORAL VOTE
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, May 0.--When the work of the
Electoral Commission was finished, and the people
had time to reflect upon the narrow escape the
country had made from civil war. there came de-
mand from all quarters that Congress should take
the subject Of the ascertainment of the result of
Presidential election into immediate consideration,
aud provide some machinery If possible, which
should for future elections try the question at ssue
and at the same time avoid the risk Of those COM
plIcatOns and entanglements which had been so
threatening to tho public peace in the just
then completed.
The Senate was then controlled by Republicans
and the Lower House by Democrats. and this fact,
it was urged made that moment especially Oppor-
tune for the passage of a law which, having the
sanction of both parties, shOuld be fair for all.
select committee of nine Senators was formed, of
which Senator Edmunds was chairman, to consider
the subject; and. after much labor, a bill was per-
fected which passed tho Senate. receiving the
hearty support of Senator Morgan and Senator
Bayard who were members of the select committee
from which ID originated. The bill was sent to the
House, was referred to committee of that body
and was never heard of Hfterward.
The event was commented upon at the time
forcshadowing q determination Of tho Democratic
party to leave the whole subject open until the ap
proach of another Presidential election when,
having control Of both branches Of Congress, that
party might make for itself rules which would most
surely enable it to seize upon the Presidency
gardless of the expressed will Of the people indi
Gated by the returns.
Another Presidential election is Mt hand, and the
Democrats in Congress are steadily working toward
the end forcshadowed by their failure to act two
years ago. Several weeks ago. it may DO rrmem-
bered, the Democratic Senators, in caucus assem-
blcd took mp the question TO which the last cleo
toral count had given rise and. after some discus
sion referred them with instructions to the Demo
cratic members Of two Senate COmmittees-the
Committee on Rules, and the select committee
known for short the Committee on the Electoral
Count. Senator Morgan Is chairman Of both these
committees. On last Wednesday he introduced
INTO thc Senate and caused TO be referred TO the
Committee on tho Electoral Count a concurrent
resolution covering the whole method of counting
the electoral votes Of the States for President and
Vcc-Presidcnt.
The pivotal feature Of this measure is the very
nntithess Of that reported two years ago by Sena-
tor Edmuuds from tho committee to which this
measure is now referred The Edmunds bill, as 1t
was called, provided that, in cases where there
were two or more sets of returns from single
State the State itself by it's Judicial machinery,
or by State tribunal formed for the purpose,
should decide which was the legitimate and regular
return; aud Congress should be rrevocaby bound
by the decision The measure although perfected
I'm a Republican Senate, recognized and gave effect
10 the very highest of State Rights" namely, the
right Of State to decide for itself in contested
cnsrs TO which candidates for the Presidency and
Vice-Prcsideucy Its votes should be given and this
VAS done Notwithstanding the fact that the most
uoticcablo feature Of the previous election the
subyers0n by violence of Republican maIoritles In
several States OF tho Union. 1t evlnced, in short,
the willingness of the Republican party to give Its
opponents the benefit of every doubt and its deter
mnation to win its political victories by fair means,
or not to win them at all
The measure whic h Senator Morgan has now In
troduccd not only deUrivrs the States Of al voice or
influence III the matter Of contested elections, max
ing Congress the Sole Judge between two sets OF re-
turns; but provides in addition the machinery by
which, in every where there Is only single set
of rcturus-that is where tho State has done ITS
,4sr,.. ~. ffnt. fff.t.Ip
may ego behind tho returns" question their ac-
curacylnd throw out or all OF It's votes,
according as Democratic necessities may make it
desirable. Section 4 Of the Morgan resolution is as
foll0wst
After list Of votes of Electors from any State has
becm received undr tho f9regnS proys0nS % OK SANS tns
rule and before the vote OF The Electors 9t at So
the name each ccGor on such S and also the votes
OF Electors for President and VcoPresihent OF t
uted States be read In the presence anu nearing or
thc two houses; and after MI the names OF Electors on
sSi shSHi mt mt the question Is there objection TO
vote Of any electOr from tho Stnte Or" mlnhg mo
Gcl If no objection IL made 10 any vote OF any clcc
tor on said list I'm the manner hereinafter prOVlded az
votes shan be counted by the tGers aha % ondefa ca
one or moro of the votes OF electors on 5u h tho same
lf" t w tpe eecor and isO the vote or votes OF such
cicctur objected to- and shall state the grounds O On
+T be signed by az least Two Senators and three mem-
brrs Of the House OF representatives and must DO pre-
entcd before tho renduR OF any certified ISL OF VOs OF
nri0rs from another state has commenced or within
ry minutes after the list OF electors has been declared
To- b. received II the state whose vote IL being consld-
cred Is The last the alphabetical list or states
When objection ia made To any vote or votes OF cleo
tors the senate shall Withdraw 10 It's chamber ana con-
alder such objection objections. and IN each House the
onsrtOn OF objections shall be read The question TO
be decided upon each 10 which objection has been
made sal Go stated by the presiding ocer as Follows
nn tho consideration be counted, nOt~lth-
standing all objections that have been made IN inc
10 tho s6nol" After all sad objections TO the votes OF
from nny State have been disposed OF in either
Iop IT. shall communicate IT'S decision TO the other
House Senators and members OF the House OF Repre-
seutntiyes may ench speak In their respective
6onses for five minutes upon tho votes OF any
eIcctor 10 which objection has been made but not more
tba once or for longer time than five minutes, on the
vote or votes OF the elector except by unanimous
- Ii IL n. nnnlln