The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-02-20

had been prisoners for two days and nights,
and had eaten their last provisions and used
their last fuel
Counting the Presidential Vote.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-IIouse opened with
prayer by Chaplain Stockton, in which he
said God bless the outgoing administration :;
may it close its labors in peace without fur
ther violence and without any stain Of blood,
and we pray for the incoming administration
that Thy blessing may rest on the President
elect on his journey hithcrward, that Thy
good Providence may be around him day
and night, guarding him at every step, and
we pray that he may be peacefully and hap
PLY inaugurated, and afterwards by pure,
wise and prudent councils, he may admins
ter the government in such manner as Thy
name may be glorified and the welfare, Of
the people, iral their relations, be advanced
and that an example of civil and religious
liberty be exemplifled, which may be safely
followed in all the world.
Mr.. Sherman sent up the letter addressed
to him, from the Secretary of the Treasury,
again urging speedy measures in view of the
present demands in the Treasury.
Mr.. Sherman accordingly reported a bill
authorizing the Pre- ,idcnt in place of any
part ofthe recent loan. to issIe a cupon
loan of the denomination not exceeding $50,
and bearing not exceeding per cent inter-
est, and running 90 years, and apply such
bonds at par to the creditors who may re-
ceive them, the entire amount not to exceed
that authorized by the recent loan act
Mr.. Sherman made an explanation, show
ing the importance of the measure.
Mr.. Garnet opposed the bill, saying the
speech of the President elect at indianapolis
indicated coercion, and the Inauguration of
military despotism. suppressed hlsses
Mr.. Sherman moved suspension Of the
rules Not in order. ..... ......
The Senate was notified of the readiness
of the House to have the electoral votes
counted.
The Senate entered. ~ -....
| The Tellers and other officials took their
stations and after short address by Breck-
inridge, he opened the different certificates
which were read, the Secretary of the Senate
taking note of them.
The reading of the vote ofSouth Carolina,
caused good humored excitement, and the
reading of all the elector j votes having been
completed, the Tellers reported the result :;
whereupon the Vice President rising, said
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois having received
a majority of the whole numbar of votes is
duly elected President Of the United States
for the four years commencing on the 4th
of March, 1861, and that Hannibal Hamlin
of Maine, having received majority of the
whole electoral votes, is duly elected Vice
President Of the United States for the same
| term. ....
The Pacific Railroad bill was postponed
| till tomorrow.
A Committee was appointed in connection
with the Senate to wait on and notify the
President elect of his election.
Mr.. Hindman suggested that Gen. Scott
be also informed that there was no further
need Of mercenaries about the Capitol. Ad-
journed. ..... -.
SENArE-Aftcr the return of the Senate
to their own Chamber
Mr.. Fessepden reported the Diplomatic
appropriation bill asking for committee of
conference
The bill to carry out the treaty with New
Granada, was passed.
A committee was appointed to notify
Messrs. Lincoln and Hamlin of their election
The Tariff bill came up.
Mr.. Seward gave notice that he should
move to erase that portion abolishing the
warehouse system. ....
Mr., Simmons explained amendments,
when the bill was laid over.
The bill for the better organization of the
Militia of the District of Columbia came up
On motion Of Mr.. Lane, it was recommit-
ted to the Military csnmittee
The bill providing for no extra number of
documents to be printed without joint reso
lutions Of both Houses, passed.
Mr., Bigler reported the Patent bill, recon-
mending the Senate to concur in all amend.
ments Of the House, except one. Agreed to-
Adjourned.