Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1878 — The Electoral Count. [ARTICLE]

The Electoral Count.

Senator Edmunds’ bill, providing for an amendment to tlie method by which the electoral vote has heretofore been counted provides for the election on the first Tuesday of October; that the constitutional disqualification as electors of those holding offices of trust and profit under the United States shall continue; that the electors cast their votes on the second Monday in January following their election; further, that every State must enact laws in advance for the determination of all disputes arising from the election; that the decision must be made before the time for the meeting of the electors; that the decision of the State is to be conclusive evidence, and to govern in the counting of the electoral votes by Congress; that there assemble a joint session of the houses of Congress on the second Monday of February following; that the President of the Senate preside thereat; that the vote be counted by tellers; that objection be made by members in writing; that each house, separately, is to consider such objections; that when there is a single return only from the State, no vote is to be rejected, except by an affirmative decision of both houses; that in case of double returns the decisions of the State tribunals are to be given; that in case of conflict between State tribunals, votes are to be received only by the consent of both houses; that if the State has made no decision, then also there must be a concurrent vote of the two houses. Such, in brief, are the provisions of this important bill. It has passed tlie Senate, and is now r pending in the House.