Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-19
FORTY-FOuRTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
WASHINGTON, December Is

Second Session.
WASHINGTON, December Is.
SENATE.
A message was received from the house an
nouncing the proceedings of that board in rel pect
10 memory of the late Speaker Keen.
Mr.. Morton said his colleague (McDonald) a
warm personal friend of Mr.. Kerr, was now alb
sent from the city. 1t would be agreeable to him
and other friends of the deceased if the message
from the House be laid on the table until the re-
turn Of Mr.. Mcdonald. 1t WAS so ordered.
Several bills of q private nature were passed.
| A court developed the fact that ne quorum was
present, and the senate at $50 adjourned.
House.
Mr.. Knots BILL prescribing method ofcount-
| ing electoral votes provides for convenng the
Senate and House on the second Wednesday in
February 1877, and at the same time every fourth
! year thereafter in the hall of the House, the
President of the Senate, and Speaker Of the House
to preside conformity, and other officers conformity
to exercise their respective functions, the Presi-
| dent of the Senate and Speaker of the House
each to appoint teller; and the President of the
Senate to open the certificates of electors in the
order in which the original states ratified the
Constitution, and in which the other States were
admitted TO the Union. They then are to be
passed to the Speaker of the House and the Pres
ident of the Senate, who shall thereupon demand
whether there are any objections to counting of
the vote authenticated by certificates. No obec-
ton being made the tellers shall count the votes
| and the clerks record the same.
If either the Senate or House shall, by resolu-
ton before the date named, declare the official
certifcation Of any state falsely or frsudulently
given or that it is invalid in consequence of false
corrupt or fraudulent finding of decision of the
canvassing board or returns of any officers. can
vasseIs or returning board, and that other per-
sons were lawfully elected, the question whether
such be counted or the State lose the electoral
vote, shall be considered in the joint assembly.
An objection on any ground by the senate or
house to vote any other elector or electors, shall
also be considered by the joint assembly. If two
or more certified lists are received, all shall be
read, and the question considered in the joint as
sembly.
In event that either house resolves that the
success of either party at the polls, or before can
wasting or returning officers was in any way ow
ing to arrest or other Intervention or informed
ding Of authorities, civil or military of the United
States the decision by which the electors votes
shall be counted, or whether the State lose the
vote, shall be considered by joint assembly.
Any member of either honse may object to the
vote of an ineligible or disqualified elector, and
the objection shall be decided upon by joint as
sembly.
All questions considered by joint assembly shall
be decided by viva voce vote Of each member
present, the majority rule.
As there shall be difference of opinion and rul-
ing between the president Of the senate and speak
er Of the house, all questions SHALL with the as
sent of the speaker Of the house. be put to joint
assembly by the president Of the senate, and the
result declared by HIM.
The joint assembly may, if necessary, adjoura
from day to day, until the count is completed and
there shall be no question of difference between
the presiding officers unless it involves the ques
| ton of the counting or rejecting of vote or
votes, and no question shall be debated longer
than six hours, nor by more than two members,
speaking alternately on each side.
The senate and house may concurrenty adopt
rules for the government of the joint assembly,
and alter, amend or abrogate the same.
Rules of the senate not inconsistent Herewith,
shall be deemed adopted, and the powers of each
house to repress disorder for contempt shall be
ercised by joint assembly vote by the yeas and
nays, not to be taken except upon questions ma
teria as to the counting or rejecting of the votes,
and then only the demand of five senators and
| twenty representatives.
| The secretary Of each house shall read his own
record OF the votes, which, if found correct, shall
be given in the aggregate to the president of the
senate and speaker of the house, and the former
shall announce the result and declare elected the
persons having majority, and il there is no cleo
| ton, he shall so declare and thereupon the joint
| assembly shall be dissolved. The proceedings TO
| be entered In full on the records of both houses.
| Mr.. Warren of Massachusetts, moved to sus-
pend the rules and adopt a resolution instructing
The judiciary committee to inquire whether Judge
|
sons in custody under the order OF the supreme
court Of South Carolina transcribed his jurisdic-
uon or exercised it improperly.
| Mr. kasson of Iowa, remarked that such IN
qury would be in the nature of an appeal from
the circuit court to the house of represe utaves.
The motion was defeated, yeas 1873, nays IS.
Mr., Frye Of Maine, offered resolution for the
appointment of a committee of six to inquire into
the manner in which the election was conducted
for members of Congress last November in the Isl
| Sc apAt Ath A,ate,n 6 IL
bama, and whether in such districts there was any
intimation Of candidates and voters.
The House refused to consider the prevou:
question and the resolution went over.
| Mr.. Franklin of Mo-, offered q resolution in.
structing the committee on expenditures in the
treasury department to inquire into the action Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury in regard TO the
engraving of internal revenue stamps being tsker
from the engraving bureau Of the Treasury
Adopted.
Mr.. Garfield of o., presented q telegram re
ccved by him from Mr.. Hurbut of Ill.,. mem
Der of the Louisiana select committee stating tina
the despatch from the chairman (Morrison) to tn,
Speaker was without the knowledge or consent o
the committee which had never been consulted il
i the matter. Referred to the judiciary committee
/ Mr.. Hale of Maine offered resolution for thu
protection of citizens in the exercise oil the RICH
of suffrage.
The resolution giving rise 10 debate it wen
over under the rule.
| MIR. BennlnB OIL Onio, tnoVeu 10 suspend ID
rules and adopt the resolution calling for Genera
! Sheridsn's report on the removal of Gov. Well
; of Louisiana.
Lost, yeas 1873, nays 70, not two-tbirds votnl
in the affirmative.
Mr.. Hunter of Indiana, moved to suspend tn
rules and adopt the resolution instructng th
judiciary committee to report an amendment t.
inc constitution, prohibiting the payment OF wa
. claims to disloyal persons.
The motion was carried yeas $50, nays So.
The house at o'clock adjourned.