New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-17
THE ELECTORAL COUNT.
PROVISIONS OF THE NEW LAW WHICH SHOULD
BE STUDIED BY THOSE CHARGED
WITH THE DUTY


Washington. Nov 16 CspeciaD-The law relating 70
the counting of the electoral for President and
President has been changed since the last meeting
of the Presidential electors. This fact seems to have
besn overlooked by some OF the newspapers whose
erroneous publications on the subject may mslead
como OF the officials interested and lead to trouble
unless promptly corrected Chairman Quay has called
the attention of the chamen of the Republican State
Committees to the provisions now in force The old
LAM ,enured the electors in the several States
and give their votes the first Wednesday in Decem
her next following the Presidential election Section
of the act approved February B. 1887 requires the
eectors TO raeet and perform that duty on the
second Monday I'm January sext following their ap
pointment Under the old law the electors were re-
ored 10 deliver TO the President of the Senate by the
hand of one Of their number of the certificates
Of all the votes given by them on or before the INST
Wednesday in January; to transmit scconu copy ol
the certificate by mail 10 the President OF the Senate
and to cause third copy to be delivered 10 the
limited States District Judge Of the district IN which
they assembled. -
In order 10 insure the delivery Of the certificate Il
tbe President of the Senate before the second Wedne
day In February which day the electoral votes are
IN he counted IN the presence of the two Houses OF
Congress. a supplementary act was passed ana ap-
proyed October 10, 1883. 1t provides:
The certificates and lists Of votes for President and
CCbanter One of Title Three of the Revised Statutes
nnlemen shall be forwarded in the therein
proyided the President of the senate 1orh" .eI
the second Monday In January, on wheh 'ho e'o'oio
Section Thatsection 141 of the Revised Statutes OF
the Tinted States is hereby so AMENDED as 10 feau
Sec, al Whenever certificate of votes e; from
anv stair has not been received at the seat p1 Gov
eminent on the fourth Monday OF the month OF Jan
uary in which their meeting shall have been neie
the Secretary Of state shall send special messese
10 the District Judge in whose custody one certncae
of the from that State has been lodged ana suc1
fudge shall forthwith transmit that list 10 the seat OF
Governments
1t seems probable that the Governors OF some OF
the States have not carefully examined the act OF
February 3, 1887, which prescrfbes and defines their
duties and powers in regard TO the electoral votes
For example ex-United States Senator William Pink
nov wbvte now Attorney General of Maryland, is
reported to-day saying that Governor Jackson haa
told him that he thought he would on thursday next
issue his proclamation announcing the election OF
Presidential electors and SIX members OF congress-
The Attorney General referring to the law, said there
was 20 special time designated within which the Gov
.rnor must issue his proclamation and the matter
as not pressing because Congress does not meet until
March. The law says:
The Governor, on receiving the returns 9t ,elec-
tions for electors TO choose PRESIDENT and wee
reeident OF the United States and for members 10
represent this State IN the Congress OF the United
States shall enumerate and ascertain the number Of
yocs given for each person voted for a. elector and
member of Congress spectvey, and shall hereupon
declare by proclamation, etc.
To enumerateS said Mr. Whytc, means 10 count /;
otherwise the Governor cannot ascertain. When there
are wrong additions discrepancies In returns on
their devious way TO the Governor, through the
handling OF election judges clerks and supervisors,
the Governor has right to take the time necessary
10 recast the returns himself II he wishes to ascertain
who is elected
Mr.. WHITE doubtless quotes the Maryland statute cor
rectly, but in evident anxiety to find an excuse for
dIlatory action by the Governor In The matter OF Is
suing certificates Of election 10 Congressman, he over
,ooks the third section Of the act Of February 3,
1887. which II may be profitable here to quote. II
reads as follows:
Sec g. That IT shall be the duty OF the Executive
of each State, soon as practlcape aller INC con
eon of the appontment OF electors In such State by
fhe final ascersinment under Snd In pursuance OF tho
laws of such state providing for such asceralnmen
10 communicate under the seal OF the state 10 thS
Secretary Of state Of the United States certificate OF