The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-11
sSoCrATRD PRESS TBLEGpAMS.

COUNTING OF THE ELECTORAL VOTE
EXCITING SCENES IN CONGRESS
THE LOUISIANA VOTE COUNTED,
BUT A ROW OVER GEORGIA-THE
HOUSE WON'T OBEY SENATOR WADE,
AND THE SERGEANT-AT-AR Is
CALLED IN-BUTLER WANTS THE
SENATE TO RETIRE, &c, &c.
WASHINGTON, February l0.-At o'clock
to-day the senators, arm n-arm, came into
the House. Senator Wade took the speak
er's chair, and the Speaker took seat near
him.
Senator Conkling, of New York, and
Representatives Wilson Republican,, of
Iowa, and Pruyn (Democrat), of New York,
acted as tellers, the first two assisting each
other in reading the Republican votes, and
the last reading the Democratic votes.
All went smoothly until the return Of
Louisiana was reached, when Mr.. Mullins,
of Tennessee, objected to its being re-
ceived, declaring that no valid election had
been held in that State. The two Houses
then separated, and the House voted l26 to
63 to count the Louisiana vote, and the
Senate, after a severe struggle, in which
efforts were made to draw in extraneous
matters, voted the same way.
The House then again met, and pro-
ceeded with the counting until the Georgia
return was reached. Mr.. Butler objected
to receiving it on the ground that the Geor-
gia Electoral College had not voted on the
proper day, and for other reasons. Much
confusion ensued, which Mr.. Wade ended
by ordering the senators to withdraw to
their own chamber. The House then voted
$50 to II that Georgia's return should not
be counted. The Senate, after most per.
picking and Imaginable struggle, declared
that in the face of the concurrent resolution
concerning Georgia objection in joint ses-
sion was out Of order.
The two Houses met again in joint SEES
sion, and found that they we're in absolute
conflict. Mr.. Wade ordered the vote OF
Georgia to be read las provided for N the
joint reeolut!onl.
Mr.. Butler objected to the reading.
Mr.. Wade would hear no objection.
Mr.. Butler appealed from Mr.. Wade's
decision.
Mr.. Wade would allow no appeal, and
ordered the count to proceed.
Mr.. Butler moved that the Senate have
permission to retire.
Mr.. Wade ruled this motion ont of order:
Mr.. Butler insisted that the House should
control its own hall.
Amid the most intense excitement MIR.
Wade ordered the count to proceed.
Mr.. Conkling commenced reading the re-
suit, but his voice was drowned by the cries
of " order" and the noise became so deafen-
ing that Speaker Colfax spraDg to the desk,
pr0claiming that the Vice President wade
must be obeyed in joint session, and ordered
the serCeant-at-arms to arrest ell dlsorderly
persons. Colfax was ordering and appeal
ing probably as long as two minutes, oy
which time the rgeant-at-arm5 had dls-
tributed his men all through the House =;
and partial order was restored, when the
reading of the returns and the proclama-
ton of the result was gotten through with,
and the two Houses separated.
The Senate Immediately adjourned, hut
the House continued in session; and Mr..
Butler introduced resolution to the elect
that the action of Mr.. Wade and the Sen
ate was a gross invasion of the rights OF
the House. This resolution was pending
when the House adjourned.
HABEAS CORPUS FOR THE TORTuGAS
PRISONERS.
WASHINGTON, February 1O.-Appllcatlon
has been made to the Supreme Court Tor
haJeas corpus for the Dry Tortugas prlsoR-
ers. The court took no action IN the
matter.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
WASHINGTON, February lO.-The House
last night considered the revenue bill, and
adopted an amendment giving the Commits
sioner power TO exempt distillers of apple,
peach, and grape brandy from the provi-
sions of the act relating 10 manufacturers
of spirits-but not to reduce the tax also
an amendment placing compounders OF
spirits on footing with retiners.
Governor Holden, Of North Carolina,
in behalf of himself and other loyalists Of
that State, telegraphs her senators here to
oppose any reduction of the army which
will reduce the Federal garrisons in North
Carolina.
General Longs,reet and General Frank
?. Blair are here.
General Grant has returned to the city.
A company of United States infantry
from New York passed through here to-day
far WILMINGTON N C.