, 1869-02-19
Counting the electoral Vote


that lew days before the sechnd electoral
vote for Lincoln was counted, both houses
adopted joint resolution providing that if
iu counting the ectural vote any question
should arise about the vote Of any State, the
Senate should retire and each Hnu>e decide
the question at issue without debate. Last
Monday each branch adopted new joint rules
having sprcial reference to the Case OF Gror
gia, which declared that the vote should be
included in the summary, but the presiding
officer, in announcing the Vote, should declare
what the result would be with tue vote aud
what it would be- without Georgia. The
Seuate had adopted this rule, that the Objec
tion to counting the v0tes of Georgia was not
in order. but the House had voted not to
coun: the vote of Georgia When the Sem
ate returned to the hall Mr. Wade announced
that the jniut resolution had been sustained.
Nr Butler snapped back With angry sIurs at
the Senate and its President, insisting upon
his objection. Mr. Wad. said the vote could
be counted. Mr. Butler at the top of bis
voice, cried out, appeal from your deci,
SION" Mr. Wade said, q there is no appeal"
The excitement became intense. There was
the widest confusion, the President having
no control over the thoroughly excited body.
Mr.. Butler, again, at the top Of Sis voice,
appealed from the decision without avail.
Messrs. Salisbury aud Doottle sprang to
their feet and hurled lnveetives at Butler.
Mr.. Butler hurled them back. Halt the
members aud spectators we're on their feet
swinging their arms aud yelling for order.
Sharp words echoed through the hall from
every quarter, mixed with cheers, cries of
urdrr, clapping Of hands end laughter Mr..
Butl-r was wild with rage. Mr. Wade was
cOuI aud obstinate, but incapable of preserv
ing order. I" Lei US have peace" came from
the democratic side Dir. Butler, with his
sleeves rolled up, shouted that the Senate
ought to have leave 10 20 hOms; that the
House could take care of itself, iutinating
that the s. nate and its President we're inter-
lnpers. The excitement at this point can't
be described. 1t extended through the en-
tire hall aud into the galleries.
Mr.. Culiax .prang to his feet and in
voice that could be heard abuve the terrible
roar and din, ordrrrd the Sergeant al Arws
to arrest any member vi the House whU rel
fused to Ob"y the orders Of the President.
Tne Sergeant at, Arms eprans into the thick.
est Of the fray just in tIms tU prevent
personal collision between Alessrs. lngersoll
aud Farnswurth. There waI lutte ab bltemeIt
OF the excitement for some time, but MIR
Wade fUund time to declare the result, and
announced that U 5. Grant, Of Illinois had
been @iected President Of The United States,
nd lQr 4 70. f. 81 IoAt
drnr OF the Uni'rd States. tie thrn ordered
the Senate 10 retire. The Speaker resumed
the chair aud called the House TO oider
when Mo. Bdiler, smartlng over his defrat,
said he arose to Question of pritilege and
submitted resolution deciaring the action
of the Senate aud its President, srbltrany
and tyrarnical. Upon this resolutiou he
took the floor and spoke an hour only rs
Butler can speak, under the Severest mental
excitement WhIle combining himself to
par amentary laugusge, he yet found words
uf mot cutting aud abusive character. He
denounced the Senate and Wade, aud in a
suppressed firm Of screeches which Inferred
the m0st dishoBorAble motives to CoIfax, his
words bnied Out, seething aud Kissing with
rage, Whi.h he did not attempt u couceai.
Speaker Colfax, whose feelings could only
be judged by his face aud trembliu hunds,
asked permission to reply, having previously
vacated the chair to Dawes aud takeu his seat
among The members. Mr.. Butler declined
" give him the q ,or aud coulinued to pour
out his impassiOned eloqueuce. At last, from
sheer exhaustion he resumed his seat. The
dOOr was given to Mr.. COlfax. No trace Of
anger was visible 10 his vuice or manner.
Very calmly aud smoothly he begun aud for
the frst tine during the day there was sll>
eDce 10 the chamber There we're no invec
lives or debuuciations 10 bis speech. Ii was
digui6ed. calm, impressive and manly, but
every period cut tO the quick, although not
a single harsh word was used. The House,
withOat cOming to vote on Buffers resolu-
ton, finally adjourned but however, before
it became necessary TO light the ball, the
vote vas annUunce1. Giant aud Collar,
24S vUtss Seymour and Blair. 80 votes,
counting Georgia, and II without Georgia.
-Oreg0nian.