Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-02-10
wANrED-PROMPT LEGISLATION.

WANTED-PROMp LEGlSlia IlON.
As there is no Presidential election for
three years, there is both the hope and
probability that there may lie some useful
Congressional legislation this winter.
Such questions as the relief OF the Supreme
Court, the succession to the Presidency,
and the Congressional determination Of
the Presidential election are all subjects
upon which it is universally agreed that
legislation is necessary, and various pro
positions have been made upon all of
them. The pressure upon the Supreme
Court is enormous, and it will be CON
stantly greater. The Constitution creates
Zone Supreme Court" which consists OF
all the judges. If the duties of the court
should be divided in any way which re-
qnres the absence OF any of the justices,
or their delegation, during the sitting Of
the court, 10 other duties than hearing
ca uses, could those who sit under such
circumstances properly be held to he
the court? This seems to be the objection
to the various plans of relisf which have
been thus far suggested. No authority
upon the subject could he weightier than
that OF the court itself, and Its opinion will
lie undoubtedly sought before any decis-
! ion is reached.
For the Presidential succession, Mr.
McCuid's bill provides for continue ing the
Electoral College during the Presidential
term. and that In case OF II vacancy in
the Offices of President and Vice. Presi
dent, the Secretary of State shall act min
isterially us President, and inmediatel,
| issue his proclamation snmmonng til,
college 10 meet after thirty days, and a
once 10 elect President and Vice. Presi
i,en, for the unexpircd term. The votes
are TO lie counted, II Congress is in session
when The election occurs, On the eight
Tuesday after the electors meet and vote
if Congress is not in session, the votes ar,
he counted on tine second Tuesday afe
il assemblies, This would enable tn
Vacancies to be filled within three months
and the candidates might be designa' ed b.
party conventions, ns now. Mr.. McCoi,
holds that his plan conforms in every wa
to settled constitutional usages, and make
no change which has not ieen demonstrat
ed To he necessary. The result OF Il,
election, however, as now, might be doubt
ful and his bili dies not assume TO pre-
vide ior u determination OF disputes.
,.Thi, is the third subject upon which "
( may Justly hope for Legislation, and lo
a. I.t
than he admirable bill of Mr.. Edmund
; which has been approved substantially Il
+. leading men Of both parties. This hi
I throws upon the State the responsibility
, deciding disputes, and refuses To NAL
idpml This question has been amply ni
e thoroughly discussed, aud no measure b
4 heen more carefully malmred than that
q Mr.. Eimunds. Tie subject itself il
vital Importance, and there IL no reaS'
: whatever that Congress should refuse
!, net upon il NJ this session. II the rules
y procedure are sicl, that members vi
:, wish to forward the public business q,
y attend 10 important qmes,iOnS nre preveI
e e, from taking effective aclion lilnn the
= and similar measures, il will he necessa
9 to consider plainly how far the meilio
j. OF procedure interfere with the exprt
r. purpose Of Congress itself When Re
r. resenIaiive must devote hall his term mel
l. ly 10 comprehending the method of trnl
. acting business. the time has come fol
!. pereinptory simpliiication Of that meth,
y II wonid be certainly very" pleasant To !
u Congress. Qualifying it's existence by lime
u and judiei0uS lrgisleiion upon suhje
" universally agreed to be Of paramount j
portance.-I Ifnpe,'s Weekly.