Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-18

Counting the yotes--A Series of Difficulties.

~ l. IL " IN
Counting the Votes--A Series of Difficulties.
On Wednesday last the simple but imposing
ceremony of counting the votes for fresiden1
and Vice President of the United States, took
place before both houses of Congress assembled
in the Hall of the House of Representatives AT
u o'clock the Senate proceeded to the Repres-
entatives' chamber, and Mr.. Mason, President
pro tenn. Of the Senate, took his seat as pFesuins
officer of the Convention.
When the certificate from Wisconsin was read,
it appeared that the Electors of that State having
been prevented by inclement weather from as
sembling on the 3rd of December, as the law
directs. had east their votes on the 4th of that
month. The reading of this certificate being
ended, Mr.. Letcher called attention to the fact
that the vote had not been cast on the day pre-
scribed by law. The time might come, he SAID,
when it would be matter of great importance
to have the votes in regular form,and he desired
the representatives of the people to present their
objection to the reception of this vote. Inc pre-
siding officer stated that debate was not IN Or
der,
The votes having all been counted, Mr.. Jones,
one of the tellers, reported the result: buchan-
an and Breckenridge had received ia electoral
votes; Fremont and Dayton ia, including Wis
consin; and Fillmore and Donelson s. Mr.. Letch-
err again called attention to the vote of Wiscon-
sin, and the President again decided that debate
was not in order Mr.. Crittenden inquired if
the Chair decided that Congress, in this form,
could not determine as to the validity or invali-
dity of the vote, and Mr.. Mason replied that the
Convention could only count the votes, and any
further action must be taken by the Senate and
House of Representatives in their respective
chambers He then announced the vote and
declared Buchanan and Breckenridge duly cleo
ted.
Mr.. Marshall, of Kentucky renewed the
charge in reference to the Wisconsin vote. He
said the President had assumed to himself the
function to count, and contended that the Con-
vention alone could decide the matter when q
vote was challenged Mr.. Butler, of South Caro-
lima, said the question was one of a novel char
acter. He would deem it most dangerous de-
Walton from the Constitution and the law that
one State should assume to cast her vote at a
time different from that upon which the votes
were given by the other States. A State might
become the umpire in choosing President, and
he thought the Chair should not count the vote
of Wisconsin. Mr. Crittenden said the decision
of the Chair involved the privilege of determin-
ing the election and saying who shall be Presi-
dent. Mr. Mason disclaimed having exercised
any such power. Mr. Toombs vowed the pre-
siding officer had done SO. Mr.. Cass desired to
submit single remark to the President of the
Senate, for he did not consider that the Conven-
ton could be addressed. How, he asked, can
you vote2 BY the representatives OF the people
or by the representatives of the States We can
not vote here; we cannot discuss; and, with this
insuperable difficulty in our way that remains
to be done is to adjourn, to meet in our respec-
tive chambers, and let the Senate or the House
take up the matter as they may think proper
w e are OVeflurnlDS lne UOfeIHAeHu anu in"niNs
this a national convention" Mr.. Butler concur
red. Mr.. Mason declared that the duty of the
Convention was discharged, and the Senate would
retire. Mr.. Toombs protested against the order
OF the President-the Convention had the right
to decide that question. Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio,
also insisted that the President could not dissolve
the Convention. Mr.. Mason reiterated that no
vote could be taken as joint vote of the two
Houses. Mr.. Cobb persisted that the question
of adjournment could not be determined by the
President alone. Mr.. Mason then explained that,
in his view, the Senate was sitting in the cham
Der of the House of Representatives, and would
decide when its duties were ended
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, here raised another
difficulty. The two Houses, he said, must have
the report of the tellers, and how were the tel
lers to report! Mr. Trumbull replied that they
did not want the report-they had difficulties
enough Finally the Senate took vote and de-
terlnined to leave.
The action of the two bodies subsequently will
be found in our synopsis of Congressional pro-
ceedings. Such series of difficulties has probab-
" nevor occurred in Congress before