Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-11
Proceedings an the fIoase.

III the hOuS6, IutT6 WAS great pressure
to obtain seats in the galleries. Long
before noon every position in those por-
tons that were open to the public were
occupied.
The doorwsys were blocked up, and
the corridors were thronged with per.
Sons seeking to gain admittance. Many
ladies occupied places in the gentle
mems gallery. Two rows of seats in
the ladies' gallery on the south side,
were reserved for the families Of the
President and Vice President. The
southwest gallery was occupied exclu-
sively by ladies of the families Of men,
bers and Senators.
There were only some hall dozen persons
in the diplomatic gallery. But very few
colored persons were present. No special
arrangements were made in the hall for
the accom- mediation of Senators, the in
tention being TO let them occupy seats OF
members nearest the Speakers chair.
The proceedings opened with prayer
by Chaplain Boynton.
Mr.. Farnsworth obtained consent of
the House to have ladies admitted to the
cloak room. The practical event Of it
was to have the space in the hall outside
of range of members chairs Immediately
occupied by ladies' and in many in
stances to hold chairs of members so oc-
cupied.
Schenck, at 1910 offered privileged
resolution directing the clerk to inform
the Senate that the House was in session
and ready to receive that body for the
purpose of proceeding to open the votes
Of the electors of the several States for
President and Vice President.
The New York and Washington line
railroad bill came up as the first business
in order.
Mr.. Phelps moved to table it. Mega
lived, GO to Ill.
Further proceedings were interrupted
by the proximity of the hour for a joint
meeting, and the Speaker had the rule
read which regulates the arrangement of
the hall for such purposes.
The doorkeeFer announced the Senate
Of the United States. The Senators ads
vanced, two by two, up the main aisle,
members Of the House standing means
while, and took seats in the portion Of
the hall assigned TO them.
Senator Wade, the presiding officer Of
the Senate, took the chair, and the Speak
er took the chair beside him. Senator
Conkling and Representatives Wilson, Of
Iowa, and Pruyn, of New York, occupied
places at the Clerks desk as tellers.
The announcement of the vote of New
York appeared TO cause considerable
amusement on the floor and in the gal
leries, but there was no violation Of pro-
priety, and very palpable suppression
of a tendency to indulge in laughter.
The credentials of Louisiana members
were read by Mr.. Preim, and the word
Junior omitted in the name of Mr..
Blair, and the word States is omitted
in the term United States. The cree
dentials having been read.
Mr.. Mullins rose and said / object to
the counting of the votes from Louisiana
The Vice President directed the read-
ing Of the twenty second joint rule,
which provides that when in joint
convention any question shall arise
in reference 10 the counting Of
votes, the Senate shall thereupon with
draw, and the question be submitted to
that body for its decision, and the Speak
er of the House shall, in like manner,
submit the question to the House.
After considerable debate Mr. Sauls-
bury called for the reason Of the objec-
ton. Some moral suasiOn was mean.
time being brought to bear on Mr.. Null
Inns to induce him to withdraw his resO-
luton, but he sternly refused to do so.
Formal objection having been furnish ed
by him, it was read at the Clerks desk,
as follows: 1 object to any count of votes
certified from the State of Louisiana, and
! raise the question in relation to it, that
a valid election Of Electors for President
and Vice President of the United States,
has been held in said State
The presiding officers objection being
made, the Senate will return to it's cham
Der and deliberate on the objection ac-
cording to the rules.
The Senators then st 3 O'Clock retired
to the Senate chamber
Amid considerable excitement and
confusion, the Speaker having called the
| House to order, had the twenty SECOND
| Joint resolution read, and said the ques
ton was, shall the vote of Louisiana b.
counted which was decided in the af
firmative, 1877 to GO.
At quarter past two, a message wa
received from the Senate notifying tn
House that the Senate had resolved tina
the electoral vote of Louisiana should b
counted.
Immediately thereafter, the Senate re
turned to the hall of the House, mem
bers of the House standing while tn
Senators took seats.
The presiding officer announced tina
by concurrent resolution of both house
the vote of Louisiana should be counted
1t was tbeTeupon announced for Seymou
and Blair.
The presiding officer having handed t
the tellers the electoral vote of Georgii
Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts,, rose an
asked for the reading Of the certificate
The presiding officer ordered certif
cate be made. Certificate was made b.
Mr.. Pruyn. 1t shows that the meetin
of electors was held on the 9th Of Decem
bor instead of the 22d, and that the min
votes were given for Seymour and Blai
Mr.. Butler said he bjected to the vol
of Georgia being counted, and sent h
objection in writing to the chair
At three O'Clock the Senate retire
from the hall Of House, looking an
, thing but pleased with and slight
perceptible diminution of official dignit
After the Senate had retired Tor Il
= second time, and after the ObjectiC
made by Butler to counting the vote
Georgia had been read again at Il
clerks desk, the Speaker put the que
7 ton, shall the vote of Georgia be coun
, ed, notwithstanding the objection of Il
gentleman from Massachusetts.
At4:2j the Senators entered the ha
and President Wade announced that Il
0 objections OF Mr.. Butler, of Massach
4 sets were Oyerruled by the Senate.
a The House finally decided not to cou
s Georgia, yeas 40, nays $50.
[ Now , O'Clock the debate on the ele
e toral vote ia still being received.
The votes Of all the States includi