Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-02-20

"N' "hh NW' vi Alt llOuhos DC hppnlnlcu 10 III
form Mossrs. Buchanan and Breckinridge of
their election.
Mr.. Crittendon moved an amendment, in
substance, that the vote of Wisconsin ought
not to be included in the list of electoral
votes, and that any member of either House
has the privilege 60 object to the counting of
said vote, and that it was competent for the
Senate and House alone TO decide the ques-
ton
! Mr.. Weller appealed TO Mr.. Crittenden not
20 insst-on the amendment as the two sub
jects had no connection.
Mr.. Crittendcn thought that was the only
way to get his proposition considered at all.
Pending the question the Senate adj journed.
HousE.-Mr. Barbour moved a reconsid-
Grafton of the vote referring the Submarine
: Telegraph bill to the Post Office Committee.
Motion entered for consideration tomorrow
Mr. Washburn reported that Mr. Whitfield
is not entitled to a seat as delegate from Kan
sas.
A resolution to lay this report on the table
was pending when the hour arrived for count
ing the Presidential vote, which business was
proceeded with in accordance to the usual GUS
tom.
The President announced the result of the
count. and declared Mr.. Buchanan elected
President. and Mr.. Breckenridge Vice Presi-
dent
Il The question was raised as to counting the
vote of Wisconsin, the Electors having met
on the 4th. instead of the Sd of December.
The President said that the functions of the
two Houses were now discharged in the mat
ter
This decision was earnestly discussed by
Senators and Representatives
Mr.. Crittenden said that the decision in
volvod the privilege of determining the cleo
tion Of the President of the United States
The President replied that he neither as
sumed nor exercised such power, but had
merely performed his duty, as required by the
Constitution
Much confusion ensucd, and various prop
ositions were offered to relieve the two Houses
Of their difficulties, but the President said
that no vote could be taken in Convention.
Mr.. Stuart moved that the Senate return to
their Chamber, which was decided in the af-
frmative.
The House continued the consideration of
the subject in an animated manner, and, with
out coming to any conclusion, adjourned.
: THURSDAY, Feb. 12.
sENArE.-Mr Pearce offered resolution.
} which was adopted, directing the presiding
, officer to appoint committee of three to
ception and Inauguration of the President e.
lect.
Mr. Crittcnden offered joint resolution
that the electoral vote of Wisconsin, in the
! late Presidential election, being given on
day different from that prescribed by law,
was. therefore, null, and ought not to have
been admitted and included in the count OF
+ electoral votes
Mr.. Thompson, of Kentucky, said that
e Wisconsin was like a horse that had been dis
tanced in the race, and came in behind time
f Her vote should not be counted.
Mr.. Crttenden argued that it was impor-
tant to determine whether the vote should be
counted. Cases might hereafter arise when
f the result of the Presidential election would
g depend on a similar case, and there could be
C no better time than now for settling the ques-
D ton.
, After a brief debate, the resolution was
tabled
The Senate concurred in the House resou-
f ton for the appointment of a committee to in
form Messrs. Buchanan and Breckenridge of
their election.
Q Adjourned
HoUsE.-Mr. Jones, of Tenn, offered a
t resolution that committee of two be ap-
g pointed by the House, and one by the Senate,
to wait upon Messrs. Buchanan and Breckin-
c ridge, and inform them that they were duly
elected President and Vice President for four
c years from the 18th of March, 1857. Mr.
{ Jones said that this resolution was agreed
upon by the tollers
f Mr.. Humphrey Marshall knew that those
o gentlemen were elected and was as much in
y favor of making the declaration as any gem
= tleman could be; but he desired the prelimi-
nary business transacted agreeably to the
{ forms of the constitution. Yesterday the
/ President of the Senate received report from
y the tellers, and, on that, while the vote of
Wisconsin was challenged by member of
the House, declared the result. He denied
the correctness of that proceeding. The two
Houses must, in Convention, concur, in order
to produce a result and adjust the question
- in controversy.
e Mr.. Jones, of Tenn, had merely pointed to
# the fact that Wisconsin had not cast her cleo
toral vote on the day designed by law.
After an Intellectual motion by Mr.. Wal
+ bridge, to lay the resolution ON the table, it
r was adopted.
o Mr.. Dunn offered resolution declaring
Il Mossrs. Buchanan and Breckenridge duly G.
If lected, and further, that the vote Of Wiscon-
e sin could not be counted without violation
= Of the Constitution it not having been cast
on the day designated by law.
r The Speaker declared the resolution out of
f. order, the journal showing that declaration
e of the election of President and Vice Presi-
n dent was made yesterday To receive the
It resolution would disaffirm that fact. Besides,
@ the House had, constructively, approved the
II journal
n Mr. Dunn said it should be distinctly stat
o ed whether the vote of Wisconsin was count
e cd or not
n Mr. stanton moved the correction of the
i journal Of yesterday, TO show that Mr.. Orr
l. had moved that the vote of Wisconsin should
be rejected that the Prosidor, of the Senate
= had ruled the motion out of order; and that
o while both Houses were together, on motion
3 of Senator. the Senate retired for consulta-
d ton and that in that manner the Convention
l. was broken up,
The House sustained the Speakers decis-
y ion.
p Tho vote was announced on the motion
n made yesterday by Mr.. Aiken, to lay on the
d table the resolution reported from the Com
l, mittee on Elections, declaring Mr.. Whitfield
10 not entitled to a seat as delegate from Kansas.