The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-14
The Presidential Election.
TCorre.nondrucc Baltimore Sun J

COUNTING TIE ELECTORAL vOTE-sCENE II THE
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, February 12.--DcSplte the
bad weather overhead ard underfOot, tie
capitol w9s thrOnged with spectators long
before II O'Clock this morning. Tie ohlec.
tive point was the House of Representatives.
The doors to the galleries were not opened,
however, until 1880, and then there was Il
perfect rllsb for seats, and all were soon oc-
cupied. The galleries cared but little for the
business Transacted in the hour between II
and 1 O'Clock. The occupants had come to
witueSs the counting of the electoral votes,
and they waited patiently unit! l O'Clock,
when the Senate vas announced. Places had
been made for the seuatorS ut The desks
to the right of the Speakers chair. First
came Sergeant-at-Arns French and Door
keeper Bassett, the latter carrying the cleo
toral votes of the several Stalcs. Then came
Vice-P President ColfaX and Secretary Gorham,
and after them the body OF the senator's.
As the latter filed in it was observed that
Massachusetts was not represented. Mr..
Sumner was too i'll TO hc out, aud Mr.. VIII
son's modesiy, perhaps, forbade his appear
ance. AS they marched up the aisle lnqll'
ries were made, by strangers particularly, to
have Pomeroy, Patterson, Harlan, Caldwell,
and such senators as have become famous
lately. pointed out. Caldwell did not come
in until after all the other senator's had been
seated and then hetook q seat near the front
row on the representatives side. Patterson
sat with folded arms way off to the rigut,
and near screen, SO that he was pretty well
out of the range Of curious eyes. Mr..
Ponleroy had more prominent seat near the
main aisle. AIessrs. Schurz, Trumbull, Tip
ton, and Fenton the leaders of the Liberal
Republican movement in the late campaign,
we're also marked men. McSsrs. Morton,
Chandler, Hamlu, Edmunds, Conklng, and
other prominent Republicans, occupied con-
spicuolls front seats, as also did MesSrs. Cas-
scrly, Stockton, Stevenson, Thurman, and
other prominent Democrats.
Most of the members Of the House were
present, but General Buffers absence was re-
marked. When order had been fully re-
stored the Vice-President, being in the
Sneakers chair, called the joint convention
to order. and the special business Of the day
was begun. The proceedings, however.
| were very tame until in the regular order OF
| the count the States of Louisiana and Arkan-
sas were reached. Prior to that time few
| of the members amused themselves throw
ing paper balls and other harmless missiles
about the hall, 10 the amusement OF The 9al-
| lerieS. .@
The successive returns OF the Senate TO its
chamber to decide upon the various o1]ec-
| tions raised to the counting OF certain OF the
| electoral votes were unmarked by any excite
mept whatever. The votes which were
taken OH the objections disclosed singular
absence of partisan feeling in the matter,
which, perhaps, may be accounted Tor from
| the fact that whichever view was taken It
would have no practical influence on the
| result. Much time was taken up in the offer
| ing of amendments, although no debate was
| ncrInissib!c under the rules. Considerable
| disorder prevailed, rs senator's were on their
| feet and kept ,lp conversation most of the
| time.
! AS no interest seemed TO attach to these
proceedings the galleries were comparatively
! deserted. When dinner-time came Mr.
| Thurman moved to take 4 recess until to-
morrow but the majority seemed to think
that it was better to stay and finish the work
of counting the votes, if it took all night.
| The Senate at 1880 Z. NJ. had decided OH all
the disputed points, and was then compelled
| 10 wait for the action Of tie Iousc.
| RESULT OF THE VOTE.
At q quarter to the Senate rec tered the
| hall.
The Viee-President announced the action
| cr the two Houses in relation 10 the vote of
| Arkansas, and rs there had not been con-
r,,rrence the vote would not be counted.
There having been concurrence as to
T Louisiana. the vote of that State would not
be counted either.
The tellers were then direc'ed to report
the vote. which was done in detail, the vote
! of each State being given.
The result,in fun was then announced rs
follows by the Yice-Presidcnt:
Whole number of electoral votes 3G6, OF
which majority is 1S4. Of these 34J votes
| were east for President, and 3a2 for wee
President. The vote for President was as
follows: 1880
@ For Il. 8. Grant, a.