Year: 1876

only duty to tick ont what Is placed In tho wheelA
believe that whoever has the counting OF the vote IN
resort terminc election has right TO
scruinizc that VOTE ascertain ITS legality its fairness
nnd ruthfulncss whether represents in the case
a vote by proxy the electors are, tho will OF the
people who their constituents All that OF course
cannot be done by tho President Of the Senate, and
therefore must be done by the two housca II II can
be done by President OF the Senate then tho most
alarming stride against righty OF the people has
been taken when the claim mndo that she President
OF the Senate Is TO count the votes Fortunately,
however, the claim thus made by this very respect
able body Of republicans in Louisiana entirely
cuntcd by the concomtsut assertion that the Presi-
dent of the Senate DO . simple machine minis
teriaI officer or clerk.


REronTxR-well what is to be tho outcome OF all
this tho houses do not agree in the count OF the
votes?


General BrrLER-I cannot for q moment coutcm-
plate tho idea that II thcro a fairly
pressed majority OF the OF the Electoral College,
properly and justly shown either OF tho candidates.
that either House Senate will fraciiously take any
step to prevent tho counting and declaration OF tho
votes in favor OF the persons chosen The people
OF TINS country would hur to destruction any party
which shoud undertake SO gross outrage. One voto
majority fairly thrown and properly counted Is as
good as 900 undcr system OF determining cleo
tons. can OF greater danger to
frame OF government nay. 10 the very govcrnmcut T.
self, than the idea Il be entertained that the will OF
the majority may be by force, or fraud, or
chicanery OF any sort


RKroRrER-rhon you believe that II the houses
should divide the counting OF tho votes would
suit IN revolution?


General BurLER-No, doubt that, but would In
bankruptcy national and private Mr.. Belmont said,
and probably rightly enough, that the result OF
Of an election would not affect tho prico Of bonds
ia Europe. or course he meant a iair election But
he has given his opinion what the effect would bo
bonds in Europe Of a norclecton, leaving tho
country exposed to anarchy Indeed, this Is matter
for very grave contemplation The constitution has
disclosed defect IN framc OF government not we'll
understood even by ourselves, and which proba-
bly, TO the attention Of any foreigner who
bonds-that is, tho possibility. and pcrhaps
distant probability that the houses might divide
upon the counting Of tho votes, and tho executive
government lapse for want Of a constitutional prov
sion TO who shall be at Its head after tho Ath OF
March, tho President only hold over, at all,
by assumption OF power, because OF tho necessity
of the If get into this dilemma not only tho
funding OF debt would bo stopped, but bonds
would DO returned upon us by millions, because
known and danger always the fright
u and most fruitful in panic. The saGacious and pa





before they commit themselves upon such dangerous
and unknown of political and governmental action
REPORTER -Gcncral, dc you any way out OF thisf
General BUrLEKIi s always easier foresco danger
appreciate difficulty than It is to find remedy
IL requires matter everything OF the most
careful investigation and thought and tho coolest
fection ], however, may suggest n means of get
ting q regular government under constitu.
tion as possible, which there is constitutional





meeting OF both Houses OF Congress the 5th day Of
March 10 act upon and deal with the problems that
shall then be presented. True Prcstdent nssever
called meeting OF Congress be held In the tcrm OF
his successor, although, as have said .hero
nothing In the constitution inhibiiing II
,ha. am aware Of Tho Auson why II
has been donc is that emergencynke the pres
has call for it, ana that outgoing
President would be naturally reluctant to take any
action which might embarrass his successor, which
q sufficient OF want OF precedent. Both
houses Of Congress being in session action might
be taken in which all would agree TO keep govern
ment anoat until successor the President could bo
elected.


REroRrER--It has been suggested that tho Prcsi-
dent OF the Senate might after the 4h OF March.


General BvTLER--As he can only act casc OF
vacancy by DEATH resignation or removal OF Presi-
dent, and iherc will be no death, resignation or
removal the 4th day Of March, when the President
goes out do not how the President OF the Senate
could all But Il President Grant should resign
the 1st OF March, and the President OF the Senate
should become acting President, think his term
would expire with tho term OF the President Tor
whom he acting.


AT this point General Butler seemed impatient to
attend to pile Of letters aud papers his table, and
TO large crowd Of callers who waiting for him,
and the reporter left.