16 DECEMBER 1876, Page 2

The contest for the American Presidency makes no progress, but

it appears that the Houses consider they have a right to regulate by statute the counting of the votes. A Bill for this object, direct- ing the Supreme Court to count them, has been rejected by the Senators, and they are now discussing another Bill, making the two Houses sitting together the final authority. As this would be equivalent to securing Mr. Tilden's election, this Bill also will probably be rejected. Some compromise must, however, be found, and the one most in favour is to reject all the votes of the Electors challenged as badly elected, and thus, as neither candi- date would have a majority, throw the election of President on the House of Representatives and that of Vice-President on the Senate. This compromise is very strongly defended by the Nation, and must therefore be favoured by the best section of the Republican party. Mr. Hayes professes perfect readiness to abide by any legal solution.