Year: 1877




The frst decision Of the electoral tri-


bunal has been given. After listening


to lengthy and learned arguments by


the very eminent counsel who have been


EMPLOYED to conduct the case on both


sides, and spending several days in dis


cussing the question among themselves,


in regard to the admission of evidence.


they finally decided that they would re-


ceive ne other evidence than such as


had already been submitted to them by


the President Of the Senate, with the


several electoral certificates, except such


as should tend to prove the eligibility


Of Humphries, one Of the Hayes cleo


tors from Florida This latter part Of


the decision, however, is regarded by


the country as intended to relate to all


cases iu which the eligibility Of electors


is called in question This is the sum


total Of the decision. A large amour,


of documentary evidence in regard to


the several sets Of electors from the dis


puted States is already in the hands Of


the commission. and they have refused


to open the doors for the admission of


more, not being able to see the end


from the beginning. nor to make rea-
soDabIs guess where the taking of testi-


mony would stop, or their labors be
ended if they once opened the gates for


it. Viewing the matter 10 this light
the wonder is, net that the question re-
ceived the decision it did, but that there
should have been any opposition to il


For our own part. and we think the
vast majority Of the people Of the coun
try would agree with us. we are glad
that the taking Of testimony has been
limited, for We would like to see the
end Of The matter some time or other,
and either Tilden or Hayes, or both or
neither, be made President and the mat
ter settled. It is practically decision
that decides nothing 50 far as advantage
to either party is concerned. There is
just al much gained by one as the other,
and beth have a like chance for success
II, indeed, any advantage remains to
either side, it iu to the Democratic in
the adoption Of the resolution to ques-
tiOn and decide the eligibility of elec
tors. The most objectionable, and IN
fact the only Objectionable. feature Of
the decisions is that they we're made by
a strict party vote. The republicans
voted solidly in favor Of the irst.-tO
receive 10 further evidence and the
democrats against it, The justices of
The Supreme Court displayed their
party views in common with the con-
gressional members, Judge Bradley
the ffth judge, giving the casting vote
in each case. So that the decision was
really made by one man. and We much
fear that this win be the ease all the
way through. If 50 the grand object
Df the commission will be 10 great part
frustrated, for instead Of having the
great dispute settled by the commission.
We win only have an expression Of the
partisan views Of the members. which
,ould have been had just as well with
,ut the commission as with it


The question Of the Florida electors
IS BY no means settled BY ibis decision
The dispute as to which votes shall be
counted remains to be settled on the
evidence submitted through the Presi-
lent Of the Senate, and as the taking Of ,
evidence has been thus limited by the I
lction Of the tribunal, the Florida case 1
nay be expected to be settled in a few {
lays.