Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-12-12
COEGREsslOyAL.
Cenczasssa Yesterday Proceedings.
SENATE.-After cur report cloSed-

SENATE.-After cur report closed
The Senate resumed The consideration OF
The unfinished business, being the Joint reso-
oend e, o. ~ f; Eamands prcposing an amend
so as 70 have the electoral vote for President
and v ice President counted by the supreme
Court, and the amendment proposed BY the
committee on the Judiciary providing that
me electors shall vote viva yoce instead OF
by ballot was agreed to.
Mr; Morton opposed the clause providing
ulat The court shaA i'm the discharge OF the
duiy disregard errors OF form.
MI. Edmunds said he object 20 the clalySe
was not 70 authorizes the court 10 exercise
boundless jurisdiction, or go anywhere TO
count the votes OF citizens, but II was TO au-
thorize the court 10 do exactly what an couYfs
DO I'm matters which they are called upon to
uy, and that was To disNgard forms and de-
eide upon the substantial right OF the matter
Mr.. Morton was sorry IN - debate was thrust
upon the Ser ate at this time, as he hsd not
carefully considered this proposed amend
ment, though he had studied the general sub
ject for years past The Senate should be
very sure that The proposition now before a.
which the country could prosper and live for
all time. should this proposition be adopted
IL was very certain that none other would he
adopted for many years There were NUM-
was proposed 20 transfer the count OF the
electoral vote to the Supreme Court, VIII ich
would make that tribunal a political body.
ltwould make that court the grand returning
board of the country, and its motives would
always he impugnei. He objected TO the pro-
posed amendment because 10 re-enacted a
provision authorizing the election OF Prcsi-
dent by the House of Representatives This
provision he regarded as one of the most dan
gerous In the constitution. IL gave To Nevada.
with her 1900 people, the same voice i'm the
election OF President that New York had,
with her ia times as many people. Suppose
the election of President for the ensuing four
years should be thrown into the House of
Representatives. A President would be elect
ed by raen WHO were elected two years ago.
and many of them did not represent the will
OF the people now, as they had not been re-
Mr.. Edmunds, in reply TO a question of Mr..
Merrimon, said all of the members of the
committee on the Judiciary were OF the opin-
ion that il would be better TO have electors
vote viva voce than by ballot, as the action
OF the chosen agents OF the people should be
public, SO all might know whether such
agent fulhlled the trust confided to him or
betrayed it,
Mr.. Merrimon gave notice of an amend
mept he would offer so as to make any JUS
tice OF the Supreme Court ineligible to APP
continent TO any office under the United
States; also ineligible TO be elected President
or Vice President until the expiration OF four
such justice.
The matter was further discussed by
Messrs. FreliDghuysen, Merrimon, Edmunds
Pending discussion Mr. Morton submitted
resolution fixing the per diem of witnesses
summoned to appear before the Senate or
a.
cents per mile each way. He also submit
ted a resolution 10 transfer IS 900 from the
contingent fund of the Senate To the use OF the
committee on privileges and elections, TO be
returned when an appropriation shall be
made TO defray expenses OF that committee.
Agreed to.
The Chair announced Mr.. Oglesby as a
member OF the committee ON privileges and
elections, in the place of Mr.. Boutwell,, ex-
cused.
The Senate then, at 3:45, went into execu-
ion and
opened adjourned.
HOUSE.-After our report closed
Mr.. MacDougall moved to suspend the
rules and adopt a resolution for the appoint
ment of committees to examine into and re
port upon election frauds, as follows: A COM
mittee of nine for New York. BROOKLYN and
Jersey City; a committee of five for Virginia;
committee OF nine for MissisSippi; a COM
mittee of five for Philadelphia, and a com
mittee of three for Alabama.
Mr.. Cox remarked that there was no allie
CATION of election frauds in New York.
Mr.. WILTSHIRE invite investigation there
Mr.. Wood.-Can any gentleman offer n res
olution that would in its effect leave the
| House without quorum?
The Speaker.-That is for the House TO de
teTmine.
The motion TO suspend the rules and adopt
the resolution was defeat -d--yeas ia, nays
| IS; 10: the necessary two-thirds majority
| Some y mecrats voted for the motion.
| Mr.. Cox then offered resolution for the
| Oh a COlnfnlJtet oil nNe 10 pro
| coed 10 the cities OF New York, PHILADELPHIA
| Brooklyn and Jersey City to examine into
| any alleged fraudulent registration and
| fraudulent voting at the Late election
| Adopted without division.
Mr.. Goode offered a resolution instructing
| the judiciary committee TO inquire and re-
| port on the legality of the circular letter is
| sued by the Attorney General during the late
| presidential campaign to United States
marshals In relation TO their powers and du-
| ties in such election. Adopted without di-
| vision.
Mr.. Spencer moved 10 suspend the rules
| and adopt resolution instructing the Judi
| ciary committee TO inquire what intimida-
| ton has been practiced on government en-
| ployees during the late election to compel
| such employees 10 contribute to the election
| FL nd of any political party, and what legis-
| lation, If any, is necessary 70 remedy the
evil. Negatived-yeas 1874, nays "A, not the
necessary two-thrds majority.
| The House then at 315 adjourned, the dem
/ ocrats remaining in the hall TO hold a eau
| Gus forthwith.