Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-01-22

the reslr Q, but IL il did change the result
should be rejected. He was much
surprised when he looked at the report
presented by the committee, and saw
that il provided for no tribunsl for the
settlement Of contested election cases in
the electoral college.
Senator Morton said that some Of the
meu 0sFs OF the committee were in favor
Of having the supreme court of the
United States to settle such cases,
but other members thought the circuit
ard district courts of the UuitGd States
might decide them; and Others that
special tribunal should he created by
cUBgres for this purpose. The com-
mittee had, therefore, come to The con-
clusiOli to leave the whole matter tOcOu-
grass for action.
Senator Thurman said that ne was not
willing to cOD1iie this great power to
congress. He wanted it to be provided
for in the constitution. The laws to
operate on this great subject should not
be at the mercy of any dominant party.
He thought the report mapifestly de-
fectiye in this particular. Another mat
ter which required great consideration
was the fact that the proposed amend
ment provided for sweeping changes in
the election of President. He did not
refer TO the abolition OF the electoral coli
lege; that was S small matter; but it
provided that plurality should elect in
stead of o majority. When congress
took into consideration the great power
of the chief magistrate, 1t should take
care to move slowly in making changes
of such Importance. He asserted that
the resolution might be laid over to give
senators an opportunity to examine it
closely.
Senator Conkling said he heartily con-
Cured in several things said by the sen
ator from OHIO. The next Presidential
election was less than two years from
now, and no senator thought the pro-
posed amendment would become part
of the constitution, first by the action of
the two houses Of congress and then by
the action OF three-fOUTths of the States,
in season to enable congress to establish
any tribunal for the settlement of
contested election cases as it pro-
posed. He then referred to
TO the twenty-secOnd joint rule, and |
few lawyers would deny that some OF its |
provisions were at least question. |
able. Without going into the merits of |
the proposed amendment, he would |
say that congress would fall short CT this
important duty IL the fourth OF March |
should witness 6 dissolution of thetwo |
houses without having devised some |
mode better than the twenty-secOnd |
joint rule for ascertaining the will of the /.
people in regard to their choice for Pres
ident.
Pending the discussion, Senator Thur
man moved that further consideration
of the resolution be postponed until the
first Monday in February, but as the
senator from Indiana Morton was not
in his seat, did not ask for vote.
Senator Davis presented a resolution
the secretary of war TO furnish
to the senate detailed statement OF
the amount appropriated since 1870 for
the improvement of the mouth of the
river, Fort Jackson and Fort
st. Phillips, giving the names OF and
the amount paid to each person, the
date of payment, etc. Agreed to.
Senator Cragin, from the committee
on naval affairs, reported adversely on
the resolution of Senator Hamliu to ap-
point joint commission TO inquire into
the condition of the navy Of the United
States, and the committee was dis
charged from further consideration.
After executive session the senate adj
jUurned.