The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-11
Rich and Exciting Scenes Between
Butler and Wade.
The Two Bens With Their
Horns Locked.
The Sergeant-at-Arms Called on
to Keep Butler Quiet.
Result Of the Vote 2l4 for Grant and
80 for Seymour.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1869.
Exciting Scenes in the HOuse-Counting thu
Electoral Vote.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1869.
Exciting Scenes in the House-Counting the
Electoral Vote.
The counting OF the electoral votes to-day attracted
20 the Hall Of Representatives an assemblage which,
in numbers and quality, perhaps has never been
surpassed, II equalled, by any gathering at the ma
tional Capitol. Every inch OF sitting and standing
room about the galleries was occupied, and the
doOrways were choked up with hundreds Of people
who could not squeeze themselves inside the cham
her. The door Of the House, which generally during
session hours is rigidly reserved for members and
lobbyists, was for the nonce allowed to be invaded
by genteel outsiders. The ladies and intimate male
friends Of Senators ana Representatives nicely
provided for in this way, particularly the ladies' who
not only occupied extra chairs and sofas transferred
from committee and reception rooms but also drove
members from their own Seats compelling many
honorable and very polite Representatives
to squat on the floor in uncomfortable
positions or to lean against their desks for support
The abundance Of pretty women, arrayed in silks,
satins ribbons ftrs artificial flowers and other spe-
cies OF female dnery formed most refreshing nov
city to the eye of the correspondent accustomed to
look down usually from the reporters gallery on a
gathering OF very ordinary mortas, dressed without
the slightest regard to becomingness or fashion,
But wish merely to notice features OF the proceed
ngs Of the day not likely to be repeated in the regu
lar account Of the joint meeting OF the houses The
hour for beginning the ceremony of counting the
electoral votes arrived, the Senators, headed by
SergeantatArms Brown, came in and took their
seats at the right Of the Speakers CHAIR Old Ben
Wade, President OF the Senate assumed the chair
usually occupied by Mr.. Colfax. The latter
nlled 2 chair to the left q the venerable
Senator from OHIO and the proceedings
began. Roscoe Conkling, Senator from New York,
and Representatives James F. Wilson, Of Iowa, and
John v. L. Prnyn, Of New York. were appointed
tellcrs. New Hampshire was the first State whose
vote was read and Senator Conkling was the reader
He did 1t in drawing manner and in nasal tone,
but very distinctly and audiby. There seemed to
be some doubt as to how 1t ought to be done. Old
Ben appeared to be unprepared to instruct and evil
IDENTITY had not posted himself beforehand as to the
naod4s operandt. Mr.. Conkng hesitated for few
moments, and then remarked that In the absence OF
Information on the subject, he would read the en-
tire certificate transmitting New Hampshire's elec-
toral vote. "Good gracious ~ muttered hundred
voices, 1.-THE ceremony wont be over until six
O'Clock, II that Is done with every State"
Mr.. C0nkling, OF course, was not supposed TO
hear such EXPLANATIONS, and therefore read the
certificate from Alpha to omega. Whether 1t
was that he noticed the uneasness OF the assem-
blage at the prospect OF being dosed with all the
certificates II, erens0, or whether the inutiity OF
such prolix proceeding occurred to the telers
themselves Is q point cannot decide; but it was
very comforting to the audience that no other GER
tiGcates were read in the same way In the case OF
oil the other States except Louisiana, Nevada and
Georgia, the tellers contented themselves with
merely glacng over the contents Of the certificates
and announcing the only important parts, to wit
whether the votes were cast for Grant or Seymour.
Colfax or Blair. Messrs. Conkling and Wilson made
the announcements whenever the votes were for
Grant and Mr.. Pruyn whenever the votes were for
Seymour the first Seymour vote declared was
that OF New York. which Mr. Pruyn read with
an energy that made everybody laugh for at
least two minutes. Every succeeding time that Mr.
Pruyn rose TO announce the electoral votes OF
States that went democratic he was greeted with
the same outbursts OF merrIment from the repub-
lican members, Notwithstanding Fernando Woods
appeal to the presiding ofcer to preserve the de-
corum OF the assembly. The first 'hitchr occurred
when the certificate OF the state OF Louisiana was
opened. Mullins OF Tennessee, then became an OBJ
ject OF general interest. Rising In his seat he
shouted Mr.. President two or three times, and
everybody guessed what was coming. Profound
silence ensued In the midst OF which Mullins called
for the reading OF the entire certificate What fol-
lowed his objections 10 the counting and refusal TO
withdraw them, were in pursuance OF what IL now
understood to have been preconceived plan, ar
desired to try the experiment OF objection to the
counting and induced the artless Mullins 10 be-
come their catspaw. Mullins however only saw his
own glory and swelled with pride at the prominent
and advanced position In which he found himself
placed Not only was Tennessee looking down on
him. but the whole Union, and even the world at
large represented by many OF the Foreign Ambassa-
doris viewing the proceedings from the diplomatic
gallery. Elihu washburne and other sensible re-
publicans saw storm ahead and endeavored 70
pursuade Mullins not to press his objections; but
Mullins said 1t was no use; he wouldn't yield till
s'Gabriel might snap or his resurrection gum rhe
joint meeting, therefore, had TO separate the
Senators going over TO their own chamber TO de-
lberate, and the Representatives remaining behind
10 vote on approving or rejecting the Mullins obec
tions.
The proceedings In the House on the question were
brief Colfax thoroughly posted, was prepared to
deal with all the questions that might arise, thus
comparing very iavorably with the perplexed Prcs
dent Of the Senate Several attempts were made to
raise debate and confusion, but the Speaker refused
70 allow any discussion whatever, declaring that
under the joint rule the only business 70 be trans
acted was simply whether the objection should be
approved or rejected. Not so In the senate. how
ever. There resolution and several amendments
were offered. and considerable OF o mud
die seemed TO exist on the question OF
now business ought to be transacted. Finally
however, a vote was had and the Mullins
proposition not to count Louisiana was Knocked in
the head by vote quite as decisive as that which
had already settled the question In the same way IN
she House OF Representatives. SO the houses came
together again, and the business went on smoothly
fll the last state was reached. This was unfortu.
nate Georgia. for whose case the following Joint rcso
luton had already been passed.
whereas the State NJ teorya has
kecome and entitled TO representation the Of
Congress- W now pending and undetermined
Me Joint resolution OF Congress- July is6e entitled
resolution excluding from the electoral college
States lately rebellion, which shan been
sed, provided thai votes from any Of ths
ptates lacy IN fcbclion should be received or
bpnted for President Of the states un among other
hinge suoh state should have become ened W representa-