The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-23
The Electors-"R. H. G."

We publish the following tetser "''i
but little comment. 1t manifests a total
mlsapprehension Of the law, and even the
facts Of the case, according 10 our view OF
the same: but we never refuse TO print
communication because II does not SET
forth our own notions. A large number
Of the best lawyers in Virginia were here
An Richmond last week, and, II we are not
mistaken. made the proper disposition OF
the subject. ar. IL. G.'s" expression oil
his fears that Virginia may lose oil her
votes next November is rather startling,
but there is nothing to justify II. Here Is
ar. III. G.'s" letter:
The virginia Electors and tho MAN.
ner" or Their Appointment.
70 the Editor Of the Dtspatch:
Ihsve read your correspondent :. NJ on the SUBJ
menss thereon, and am compelled 10 TIN, s, while
NJ may not tc entirety right In his view, tbat
yon are maDifest.y In error la some oil your con-
ciusions.
let rs see;
Yon sa, IN ,he Dispatch Of the l7sh that III
electors and this fact ought to DC The end OF tue
versy IL II were fact, but IS II facff IL can
not be for az least two unanswerahe reasons:
First, because the election Of electors by each
State In the Union Is made Imperative by the
Constitution Of the United States and by the laws
OF Congress, and does not necessarily depend upon
the single act or discretion or indiscre'ion OF any
Secondly. because. 4 your proposition be ,r9e.
iafures. or minority Of them, from any neglect
or cause TO provide the mere "m0naer" OF choos-
ing electors, 70 defeat The election OF any presi-
drchy and dissolution. Tan We nationally, or le-
galiy, logically suppose that the trainers oil the
Federal Consultation ever dreamed OF conferring
any such probationary power upon the States. or
any OF themy Would mol that exceed the extreme
secession views of the extremes" StatcS-rghts"
maa thai ever figured In rebellion? clearly think
Now,wh are the facts. and reason Of , the
{" Each Stale shall appoint in such manner as the
legislature thereof may direct, number OF elect
ors equal Ia the whole number Of senators and rep
reseniatives 10 which the state may be entitled IN
Now Il will be observed that the choosing Of the
rnii humber az electors 10 which they are "enti-
ti.d " is made Imperative on the states. Zach
state shall appoint ~ and the only power or ois-
10 - direct the hammer in which that duty
.mav 7" be performed. Buff any legislature, from
any OMISSION freak or canse negeess or refuses 10
be pretended that such omission can vitiate or de.
feat the electoral vote OF the state and people! III
that were so. thea sec into what utter dndrchy
few peryerse or stupid STATE legislatures might AT
their pleasure or ignorance throw the nation III a
Electors are not necessarily or In fact chosen
ny districts, but are voted for and elected by the
State at large; nor DO electors or ther rlghts ana
emanatc r. om Tie higher lao OF the Federal Con-
siituticn and the Congress, both Of which declare
that " each State shall appoint" as many electors
as its representation In both houses of Congress
"enttled IL TO. Can the mere NEGLECT or vicious
mess 81 any sias e aeg ~ 1eedom and SOVEREIGN
" of the people Of the States! Most clearly not.
But aside from this view of the constitutional
question Of electors, let us look at the subject lit
re further and in another light, and STE II Virginia
can be properly deprived of any portion OF her
electoral vote in the next presidential election by
the blundering NEGLECT of q forgetfnl Legislature.
For IL she is 10 lose the one new yote to which she
is entitled under he new superintendent for The
want Of Heto act of the Legislature, then II seems
20 me 10 be clear that we must lose the iohote OF
onryote: ana
because the act OF the Virginia Legislature Of
1872, prescribing only .'elepen " electors, was
passed in accordance with the old ap1ortionment
been passed by Congress since, giving us toelve
electors, then the old act of the LEGISLATURE must
give way to the ne,o and higher law of Congress
and the constitution, and either give what we
are entitled to or give US notning az az: Inc
electoral act, therefore, OF the virginia tegslS1
upon the number of electors 10 be chosen In
November next, must choose all that the Constltu-
ton and Congress give us, or must not choose any.
for what right has an old and obsolete act OF
an obsolete Virginia Legislature to declare
that WE shall only have tIer6n y electors when
the Constitution and subsequent laws of the land
declare that we entitled TO and "shdu Gp-
point " twelyeS II the last Legislature failed 20
then the old and uni, ersaI {" manner " and custom
must prevail of electng The full number Of cleo
tors 10 which the new congressional law entities
as which is and always has been, OF voting Tor as
many electors AS we have senators and representa-
lives In Congress. What right has laundering
and stu. Id Legislature 10 take or withhold from
the people Of Virginia their sovereign and consti;
tniional prerogatye Of voting Tor president ana
Bot aside from this view Of the question there Is
stu another point WHICH ought 10 DC conclusive
The last Congress, in Its new congressional APP
portionment hill, made proper provision Tor the
election Of all the additional c9ngreSsmsn where
sion TO redistrct for itself. BY this provision
Virginia elected her new member az large, while
old districts. But Congress made no provis-
ION FOR the appointment Of the new elector
20 which The new CONGRESSMAN entities us
for the obvious reason that IL was entirely un-
necessary. as Co gress bad simply 10 declare the
Number 10 which each state was entitled TO assure
the election of the proper number to correspond
with Virgnias full representation in Congress as
required bv the Constitution and law of the land;
people Ofthe ohoie State, and not necessarily by
districts Ike congressman, it would follow as
matter of course, In the absence OF any new state
law upon the subject, that there would be an cleo
Tor chosen for each of the ten new congressional
districts and two for the senators at large.
But even II electors were necesS1riIy required
to be elected bv special districts, then the omission
OF the last Legislature 10 make nelo the man
ner" is entirely obviated by the fact that n@
Legislature did have the discretion TO reapport0n
the congressional districts of the state into the re-
CURED fsa; and MS the uniform law and custom OF
the State las always been 10 designate the con-
greesiOndi districts as precisely The same, county
by county. as the electoral districts ergo, fol-
lows by all the rules Of ratocnation OF law loeic
and common sense that we can ana should proceed
10 elect an elecior from each or the new congress
sfonai districts we have always done nereio-
fore. without IN the least infringing any law or
abusing any power. but simply IN discharge OF an
imperative duty and requirement
You have doubtless observed that MahOne'S ke-
publican Convention nominated ttceipe canui-
dates for eiectors-the full number to which we are
entitled under the new anporfonment: III tbel
shall receive majority OF the qualified votes OF
the state In November they WILL 10 all tntents ana
purposes. constitute the constitutional electoral
college Of Virginia, and Will assemble In The Cap-
tol at Richmond IN Dec, mber and east the whole
vote of the State for the Republican candidate
whether there shall be an extra session or the
Legislature 10 change the "manner" OF election
or not. And VIII 1t can we do about t?
ON the other hand, We have nominated only the
old eleren waiting on the very doubtful and ques-
rionable extra session to repair the omission Of
last winter In the old law. There is very little
worth following ia the example of our enemies.
but think this case AN exception. We were rob-
bed out OF the presidency In 1875 by one vote or
Republican fraud. Now. II we lose our cand-
siate this wear by one vote lacking I'm Virginia. 1t
Will be our lnexcusabie fault and folly, not 10 say
crime. H. h' u
The Banks and Their Depositors.
IL