New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-18
THE ELECTORAL COUNT BILL.

The failure of the bill for regulating the
Electoral Count to reach vote in the last
House of Representatives, after it had passed
the Senate, might be attributed to a belief on
the part of the Democratic majority that they
had possibly more to gain by letting the danger
of disorder alone than by removing it. We
have always believed in the constitutional right
OF the President of the Senate to count the
electoral votes but that claim was waived IN
1877 for the sake of peace, and Democratic
faction seems to have flattercd itself into the
conviction, ever since, that hereafter 1t has only
to threaten and the Republicans will yield
everything for the sake of peace. But the
conservative and patriotic men on the Dem
Ocratc side of the House are probably not oil
that way of thinking. They must see that the
peril, in case of another dispute over the
returns, with no previous arrangement for
deciding it, would be exceedingly grave. We
hope therefore, for the bill which has just passed
the Senate, prompt and frank consideration i'll
the other branch of Congress.
We must not forget that disputed returns are
always among tho probabilities Of "A close coc-
ton. The Hayes and Tildcn contest was not
merely about the votes of Louisiana and
Florida, where there were honest differences OF
opinion regarding the popular will, but 1T
extended to the returns from States where the
actual vote was never for moment doubtful.
Some of the fercest objections OF the House
were based upon the most trivial techncalties
and some upon fragrant frauds. There is noe
much question now as to the character OF the
Cronin returns from Oregon; there ought to be
none as to the frivolous objections made by
Senator Barnum, Representatives Cox, Holman,
Fernando Wood and others 70 the acceptance
of the only regular and valid returns from
South Caroina-objecton based upon no
better ground than the pretcxt that South
Carolina had not at any time in 1S76a constitu-
tional republican form of government and
that it voted under Federal duress." a sup
Elementary objection was made to the Florida
returns because one of the Hayes electors had
once been q United States Shipping Com
missioner, an Office which he resigned month
before the Presidential election. A supple
mentary objection was made to the South
Carolina returns on the ground of q slight
verbal informality, not in the returns, but III
the Endorsement on the back of the envelope
which contained them Objections were made
to the votes of Michigan, Nevada, Penn
svlvania, Ri ode Island, Vermont and Wis
consin, in each case upon frivolous techni-
calties. such as can be raised at any time by
those who will search for them If the Dem
ocratic members had carried their point with
respect to any one of these challenged votes
and they voted solidly to sustain every objec-
tion-the choice of a President would have
been thrown into the House of Representatives.
1t is plain that the country cannot afford to
run any such risk. The example of framing
frivolous objections having been established in
1S76-'77, is sure to be followed whenever
factious majority of the House may see an
opportunity to profit by it. Mr.. Hoar's bill, in
settling rule for counting the votes, does not
deprive the House of the power to defeat an
election, but at least it provides that what
ever that body may do shall be done decently
and by law. IF a better plan can be devised,
let us have it. But ut any rate, the question
ought to be settled promptly.