New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-20
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ~, 1857

WASHINGTON Correspondence.
wAsuNGros Feb. 10, 1857.
Yesterday was the day appointed by law for the
counting Of the votes of the different States for Presi
dent and Vice President. Accordingly, at o'clock
the Senate went into the Hall Of the House for that
purpose. The President Of the Senate then opened
the returns and the tellers counted the votes taking
State at time Everything proceeded harmon-
ously and regularly, until it was discovered that
the teers had included the vote Of Wisconsin in the
summing up. 1t appeared from the certificate of the
Electors of that State that they did not cast the vote
Of the State the day prescribed by law, the Sd OF
December, in consequence of being prevented from
reaching the capital by q severe snow Storm The
vote was therefore cast on the Al of December,
one day later than designated by law. The tellers
yesterday included Wisconsin in the count, notwith-
standing this irreglarty and the President reported
the result in the same manner. Hereupon an animated
discussion arose as to the power Of the President OF
the Senate to count the vote of Wisconsin on his own
responsibility as well in respect of the legality OF
the vote itself.
The debate was participated in Unfortunately by
Senators and Representatives, amid such scene Oh
confusion and excitement have never before wit
messed in legislative body. The Senators, accus
toned to the quiet and decorum of their own cham
. Der, seemed utterly COMPOUNDED by the uproar and
/ turbulence which prevailed around them. Sometimes
dozen members would be on the floor lat the same
time all anxious to be heard amid the prevailing din,
and each one drowning the voice of the other. MI
Orr, of South Carolina, in the midst OF the meiee'
moved that the vote of Wisconsin be excluded from
the coun-but then the question how the vote
should be taken Mr.. Orr's proposition The sena-
tors protested against per capita vote as well they
mght-and the House insisted that the Senate should
not leave the hall until the question was decided Gen.
Cass arose amid the storm, and declared that such
/ scene was disgrace to the nation, and reminded
him more of the tumultuous proceedings of French
mob than meeting Of the legislators of the country
Mr.. Hunter finally proposed that the Senate retire to
! its own chamber-the motion was put and declared
to be carried by chorus of ayes from the Senators
| and shouts of noes from the Representatives. Inc
President descended from his seattle Senators NOV
| ed, in dgnifed manner, out of the Hall--and the
Speaker of the House more resumed his seat.
The discussion of the question was then resumed
in each House. and continued until late hour in the
evening. Two or three members of the House de-
cared that in their opinion no election of President
had been constitutionaly made and that it was then
the duty of the House. which the constitution had
deyolved it in case of no election by the people, to
proceed at once to choose President. After success
svely debating and rejecting numberless PROPOSE
tons, both Houses finally adjourned without coming
4 to any understanding about the matter. In fact, all
of them seemed to be in fog about it, and unable te
devise any measure of escape. The discussion will
be renewed to-day.
The constitution has failed to provide who shall
be the judges of the election Of President and Vice
President; and hence all this difficulty. 1t is {
casus ofnissus of the constitution, which can only
be remedied by provision of law. Certainly it woult
be fatal to our form of government to permit 6
State to vote day after other States had voted
for in close contest single State might thus de
termine the result, and her electors might be brbeC
to defeat the will of the people.
On the other hand unless we vest the authority tc
determine the legality of the vote of a State some
where we have fatal defect in system of govern
ment The President of the Senate, acting yesterda,
as the President of the joint convention took the re
sponsibilty of counting the vote of Wisconsin. H
: had no authority for doing so-and yet he had n
right to reject it. 1t is delicate question: and dc
feet which ought to be at once cured by Legislation
Now is the appropriate time to do it when the resu
will not be affected by it one way or the other.
. The case Of the validity of the election of the II
. diana Senators has occupied the Senate for sever;
days. and is likely to give rise to great deal of di
n cussion and trouble. The means by which they wei
+ elected far revolutionary and informal tina
d that by which Harlan was elected from Iowa II
e Senate Of Indiana not only refused to 60 into jo
IS convention but the Senators sent here did not eve
e receive majority of the two Houses In Harlan
case he received majority of all the votes of all Il
e members of both bodies-and his election was mac
1t in an adjourned joint convention which the Sena
would not officially attend. If Harlan's election WI
INFORMAL it is evident that the case of these Indiar
s. Senators is far more so. The circumstances were Fl
/ more aggravated and revolutionary.
It The House is hammerng at the Tariff bill, with
prospect Of any decisive action Nearly every mer
d Der has scheme of his own, and there is an old pr
n verb that is applicable to this state Of affairs, arT
e ing that too many cooks always spoil the brot
d Nothing will be done with the tariff at the prese
a. session.
J. The investigating Committee has not yet reporte
IS Perhaps we may have its report to-day or to-morro
d if the Presidential clouds which now lower over bo
i Houses should by that time be dispelled
20 Essex.
n P.s.-The Wisconsin case was again under disct
sion to-day in both Houses. Finally, they adjourn
s- without taking any action in the matter. A comm
Mt tee was appointed on the part Oh noth houses,
Is apprise Buchanan and Breckenridge officially of tn
ed election. It is generally believed that some law
ng be passed in few days, providing against the occ
he renee of another such difficulty.
eu Talk Change.
ed -
w Another brisk and unusually active day was yes
To- day in all commercial circles, though slight shov
mr. of rain about midday came unawares and rat
checked the lively city trade which was in progr
, but the afternoon made up for it. The solid men