Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-01
The Sguabbie Over the Electoral
Count,

While there IS not the fainteSt gllmmer OF an
excuse for any controversy whatsoever over
the count OF the electoral vote IL begins TO look
Us II the political parties In Congress were
anxious TO create preteXt for squabole and
possible disagreement Every democratic
member OF Congress. who has expressed him
self, freely admits that Gen. Gardel1 vas hon
estly and fairly elected President. and that he
must be Installed. Hence there is no room for
any contrC yersy as to the result OF the recent
election and the count OF the electoral vote
that should be made next week. All Is plain
sailing so far Gen. Garfield'S election IS con-
ceTned. but the opposing parties are invading
the fuIure for cause OF quarrel. II Is the
presidential election OF SSi that Is to b. made
the bone OF contention. The democrats aver
that the republicans are determined to main
tain, In the pending count, the exclusive right
OF the president OF the Senate to count the vOte
that 1t is their purpose, If permitted to estab
lish this precedent in order that four years
hence Vice President Arthur may declare the
republican candidates elected by virtue OF his
absolute power over the count and regardless
or the votes OF the people. This TO the demo
cratic mind Is sufficient ground for resistance
now to what is assumed TO be the republican
policy.
The republicans maintain that they are war
ranted In resisting any rule OF count emanat-
Ing from the democratic side, because the per-
SfstenCe exhibited by the latter IN their efforts
TO pass the Morgan rule Is proof that they con-
template some attempt TO prevent the formal
and final declaration of GarfieldS election
When the news was flashed over the country
thai CARRIED and Arthur had received de-
cided majority of the electoral votes, uni
versaI feeling OF relief, If not OF satisfaction.
was manifested. The people OF the country
battered themselves that the decisive result
would remove all danger OF partKan Wrangle
over the count of the electoral votes. The
result OF that election has been accepted In all
sections OF the country as final, and the pOllt-
ical party which seeks prereXrS for what the
country Is so de5irOuS OF avOiding-a heated
controversy in CGngreSS-will. no doubt, be
made to suffer for such an IneXcuSab,e course.
Before entering upon the count there should
De adopted some definite rule for the proceed
Ing, In order that II objections are urged or
questions raised, they may be determined
promptly. II there are not men enough In
congress who are capable of laying aside par
thanship for the short time necessary 10 the
adoption OF such a rule, then that body de-
serves but little esteem from tue people. The
country cannot De deceived with pretexts
ABOUT designs 10 steal the presidency, on the
part OF enc party or the other. II there are any
who really believe that there is a scheme on
the one side 10 prevent the Inauguration OF
Gen GARFIELD, or On the other TO unlaEfuiIy
lpture the presidency hereafter. they are SO
Few and OF such poor stuff mentally that their
opinions are not worth considering Let the
count go on quietly, orderly and constitution
ally. The people Will take care OF the future
OF the country.