Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-16
Scene in CONGRESS-.


Congress we're in joint convention to witness the
counting of the Electoral vote for President,
disgraceful and significant scene was presented.
In the language of the Baltimore Gazette, all
went smoothly until the Chair called tor the
vote of Georgia, which by preconcert had been
placed last on the list of States Objectionwas
at once made in the required form by Mr. But
Ter. and sharp discussion ensued. The con-
current resolution, relative. to the mode IN
which it had been agreed, on the previous Mon
day, that the vote of Georgia should be record
ed, was read. The Chair decided that this ac-
ton of the two Houses settled the case. Mr.
Butler denied it, and appealed from the des
cision. Senator Drake sustained the course OF
Butler, so also did Mr. jones' of Kentucky
Others took the opposite side. Others: again,
we're venting their anger, in fierce, loud tones,
and some were quite as loudly shouting order
The Chairman, Mr.. Wade, confused by the
clamor, demanded that the objections of "the
gentleman from Massachusetts, be reduced to
writing. Butler replied sarcastically, amid a
storm of laughter, that the gentleman from
Massachusetts, had already presented his objec-
tons in writing. AS there was no prospect of
harmony, the Senate again retired. Almost
Immediately thereafter the House proceeded to
vote on the question, and decidedly yeas 81,
nays 14O-that the vote of Georgia should not
be counted On the other hand, the Senate,
in its own Chamber, came to the conclusion
that the vote Of Georgia should be counted
and on the heels Of its messenger announcing
the fact, re~entered the House. Mr. Wade at
once resumed his seat as Chairman of the Joint
Convention, and without paying any regard to
the action of the House, directed the tellers to
proceed with the vote.
Then came stronger premonitions of the tenn
pest that was speedily to follow. Mr.. Butler
at once rose to point Of order The Chair re-
fused to receive it, Mr. Butler appealed. The
Chair refused to entertain his appeal and d.
rected the tellers to proceed Mr. Butler in
solently moved that the Senate have leave to
withdraw from the hail. Great confusion and
great excitement ensued In the midst of it
Mr.. Wood objected to any debate on the sub
iect and the point was sustained by the Chair.
But the Chair got confused, bewdered, and
Numbered into truthful revelation Of the de-
signs of the Radicals Utterly befogged, the
Chair went On to say that By the resolution Of
Monday last it was agreed that ''if the vote of
Georgia would alter the result it was not to be
counted and that If it did not alter the result
it was to be counted" Atths explanation the
House rang again and again with irrepressibie
bursts of laughter, and, In the midst OF it, the
telIers completed their work The result was
announced and the Convention was dissolved.
No sooner had the Senate retired than Mr.
Butler offered resolution declaring that it had
committed "a gross act Of oppression and an
invasion OF the rights OF the House. Mr..
Speaker Colfax rose to explain, but only made
| matters worse Mr. Butler denounced the
course Of the Senate as an usurpation OF au-
thority, as subosdinating the House to Its arbl-
trary will, and as leading to the gravest con-
sequences. Hedeclared that If the action OF the
Senate were to pass unrebuked, that body would
become paramount hereafter, and by agreeing
to count such Electoral votes as suited it, and
| by throwing out all others, might make or IN
make Presidents and Vice Presidents at its
sovereign will and pleasure. He concluded by
demanding the resembling Of the Joint resolu-
| ton, and that the resolution he had offered
should be referred to select committee of five,
with leave to report at any time The House
then adjourned. The trouble is not over, how
ever, by any means, and we may look forward
to more stirring scenes in the future. The quar-
rel is one that will bear nursing, and under the
fostering care Of SO INSCRIPTIONS partisan as
Butler, it is not likely to fail in gathering
strength and yigor and venom.