Year: 1877

President Grants Endorsement of the Bill

 as Indicated on Returning it with his

 Signature.

 To the Senate of the United States |: l follow the example heretofore occa- sionally presented of communicating in this mode my approval of the act to pro- vide for and regulate the counting of the vote for President and Vice President, and the decision of questions arising thereon, because of my appreciation of the imminent peril to the institutions of the country, from which, in my judg- ment, the act affords wise and consti- tutional means of escape.

 For the first time in the history of our country, under the Constitution as it now is, dispute exists with regard to the re- suit of the election of the Chief Magis- trate of the nation. It is understood that upon the disposition of disputes touching the electoral votes cast at the late election by one or more of the States depends the question whether one or the other of the candidates for the Presidency is the lawful Chief Magis- trate. The importance of having clearly ascertained by procedure regulated by law which of the two citizens has been elected, and of having the right of this high office recognized and cheerfully agreed in by all the people of the repub- lie cannot be overestimated, and leads me to express to Congress and to the na- ton my great satisfaction at the adop- tion of measure that affords an orderly means of decision of a gravely exciting question.

 While the history of our country in it's earlier period shows that the president of the Senate has counted the votes and de- clared their standing, our whole history shows that in no instance of doubt or dispute has he exercised the power of deciding, and that the two houses of Congress have disposed of such doubts and disputes, although in no instance hitherto have they been such that their decision could essentially have affected the result. For the first time, then, the government of the United States is now brought to meet the question as one vital to the result, and this under conditions not the best calculated to produce an agreement or to induce calm feeling in the several branches of the government or among the people of the country. In case, where, as now, the result is in volved, 1t is the highest duty of the law making power to provide in advance a constitutional, orderly, and just method of executing the Constitution in this most interesting and critical of its pro- visions. The doing so, far from being a compromise of right, is an enforcement of right and an execution of powers confer red by the Constitution in Congress.

 1 think this orderly method has been secured by the bill, which, appealing to the Constitution and the law as the guide in ascertaining right, provides means of deciding questions of single returns through the direct action of Congress, and, in respect to double returns, by g tribunal of inquiry, whose decisions shall stand unless both houses of Congress shall concur in determining otherwise, thus securing definite disposition of all questions of dispute, in whatever respect | they may arise. With or without this law, as all of the States have voted, and as a tie vote is inn possible, 1t must be that one of the two candidates has been elected, and it would be deplorable to witness an irregular controversy as to which of the two should receive, or which should continue tc hold the office. In all periods of history controversies have arisen as to the suc- cessful choice of the chiefs of States, and no party or citizens loving theil country and its institutions can sacrifice too much of mere feeling in preserving through the upright course of law theil country from the smallest danger to its peace on such an occasion, and it cannot be impressed too firmly in the hearts oI all the people that true liberty and real progress can exist only through cheer. full adherence to constitutional law.

 The bill purports to provide only fol the recent elections. The fact that sucl question can arise demonstrates the ne cessity which, cannot doubt, will be fore long be supplied, of permanent general legislation to meet cases whicl have not been contemplated in the Con stitution or laws of the country.

 | The bill may not be perfect, and it provisions may not be such as would b, best applicable to all future occasions but it is calculated to meet the presen condition of the questions and Of tn, country. The country is agitated. I needs aid, it desires peace and quiet ant harmony between all parties and all sec tions. Its industries are arrested, labo unemployed, capital idle, and enterpris paral lyzed by reason of the doubt anC anxiety attending the uncertainty of

 double claim to the Chief Magistracy o the nation. It wants to be assured tha the result of the election will be acceptet without resistance from the supporter of the disappointed candidates, and tha it's highest officer shall not hold his plac with a questioned title of right.

 Believing that the bill will secure thes ends, give it my signature.

 U. s. GRANT.

 Executive Mansion, Jan. 29, 1877.