The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-02-16
Latest N . w y.
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, Feb,

WAsHIHsToa, Feb. III.
SENATr.--Tho Senate met al IL O'Clock
and imme diately repaired to the Hall OF the
House 10 take part in opening aud counting
the yot es for President and Vice President
of the United States. in pursuance OF the
resolution adopted some days since.
HoUsE.--Mr. Barbour moved re consider.
alton Of the vote by which the Senate sub.
marine telegraph bill was referred to the
committee on post. Offices. The motion
was entered probably to be considered to-
| morrow.
Mr. Washburne, Of Maine, under instruc-
tons OF the committee on elections. made
report, concluding with tho resolution that
b, NJ. Whitfield. from Kansas, IS not emit.
tied TO seat in this House, and moved that
further consideration Of the subject be post.
poned till Saturday next,
Mr.. Oliver, of Missouri, moved to lay the
resolution on the table, and made minor-
ty report and asked leave to lave response
to The memorial Of Nr. Whitfield in response
to ths report Of the majority Of the com
mittee.
The further proceedings we're interrupt
ed by the arrival Of the hour Of two, the
time fixed for the opening and counting of
the votes Of the Electors OF the several
States for President and Vice President OF
the United States.
The Senators, accompanied by the Off
GERS of that body, entered the Chamber, the
members Of the House receiving them
standing. The President Of the Senate
took his seat at the right Of the Speaker
Mr.. Bigler on the part of the Senators, and
Messrs. Jones, Of Tenn, and Howard, Of
Michigan, on the part OF the House, ap-
peared as ,elIets and occupied the Clerks
desk. The President announced the object
Of the meeting.
1t being pursuant to law and in obedience
to the concurrent order Of the tw Houses,
the President first opened the vote of the
State of Maine, which was read by the
tellers, and other States followed in rota-
ton.
The President announced the result Of
the count, and declared Buchanan and
Breckenridge elected President and Vice
President. The question was raised as to
counting the vote Of Wisconsin, the cleo
ton having been on the Ath instead Of the
Sd December.
The President said the functions Of the
two Houses were now discharged in this
matter.
This decision was earnestly dissented
from by both Senators aid Representatives.
Crittenden said the decision involved priv.
legs Of determining the election OF the
President of the United States.
The President said that he had neither
assumed or exercised such power, but had
merely performed the duty as required by
the Constitution.
Much confusion and various propositions
to relieve the two Houses Of their difficult
ties, but the President said NO vote could
be taken in Convention. Stuart moved
that Senate return to their chamber, which
wss determined in affirmative. House con-
tinued subject in animated manner Till ad-
josrnment, coming to no conclusion.
SENATE.-The Senators having returned
from the House, proceeded TO consider the
question relative to the Wisconsin electoral
vote having been cast on day unauthoriz.
ed by law. The question had occssioned
much difficulty in the House. Speeches
were made 40 to the proper course Of pro.
ceeding and the effect of similar cases ON
future elections While it was contended
on one hand that the vote Of Wisconsin
could not effect the result, it was argued on
the other that the question should be def
nitely decided.
Adjourned without settling the question.