Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-12-16
UNITED STATES CONGRESS-.
Senate,

reg OlutiOn requesting the PRESIDENT to INFORM
tbs Senate under what authority. and for what
purpose, troops CT the United States occupied
The city OF Petersburg on the seventh of No.
vember, 1876, the day Of the general election.
The resolution WAS modified slightly and then
adopted without division.
The Louisiana election question was dis
cueeod by many of the members and then the
matter referred to the committee on privileges
and elections.
The memorial Of Carl schurz and others,
praying that a constitutional amendment be
submitted to the various States by which the
counting OF the electoral vote for President
ard Vice President, and declaring the result
thereof, be conferred upon the supreme court
of the United States, was laid ON the table.
A lengthy discussio' arose when Mr..
Anthony (Rep.), OF Rhode leland, from the
committee on printing, to which was referred
the motion to pint the depositious accom-
panyiug tho com munication Of the Hon. John
Shoi man and others to the President in re-
gard to the late election in Louisiana, re-
ported in favor Of printing all the depositions
heresoluton was adopted-yeaa, 40 nays, 10.
Mr.. Nit, he'll (Rep.), OF Oregon, submitted a
resolu' ion in regard to the decision OF the
governor Of that State on the electoral ques-
ton. The resolution declared the action Of
the gov, rnor rs wholly unauthorized and
illegal, and requested that tho committee on
privileges and eec lone DO instructed to in
ments Of said electors and pretended electors
and their action as solicitors and pretended
electors The resolution was ordered printed
ard to lie on the table.
Mr. Howe (Rep }, of Wisconsin, introduced
bill to restrain unauthorized persons from
assuming to acu as electors for President AID
Vice President. Referred TO the Judiciary
committee.
Three additional members we're added to the
committee On privileges aud elections to aid in
discharging the duties OF the investigation
into the recent elections in Mississippi, South
Carolina Alabams, Georgia, Florida and
Louisiana.
A question arising, the Chair (NIr Ferry),
decided that the joint rules were not in force
in tho Senate. An appeal was made from the
decision, but the Senate sustained the Chair
by g vote of fifty yeas to -four nays.
Mr.. Bogy Dem }, Of Missouri, said he de-
sired TO present for the purpose OF having it
printed, the report Of tho five Democrats who
were invited by the returning board of Louis-
ana to be present at the CANVASS Of votes
gwen in that State in the late election. OBJ
ject on was made to this by the Republicans,
rs the document was not before the Senate in
an official way and it wac determined to
bring it before the body in tho shape Of q
petition, 70 that it might be printed with other
papers relating to tho same subjsct.
Mr. Cameron (Rep }, OF Wisconsin, intro
duced a bill to provide for the redemption Of
the ereenback currency. Referred to the
committee on finance.
Several amendments to tho Constitution Of
the United States to provide for contests in
elections were presented.
The Speaker laid before the II ,use mes
sage from the President transmitting letter,
accompanied by testimony, addressed to him
by tho Hon. John Sher nan aud othe citizens,
in regard to the canvass o; the vote for the
electors in Louisiana. 1t was moved to rotor
this to tho select committee on Louis ana, but
tho House objected and ordered the papers
read. Mr.. Ward (Dem }, of Now York ex-
pressed surprise that the President should scnd
| unauthorized Caper5 to the House, and de-
clared his first ides was o return the papers
| to the Pr. sdent, but he should not now do 80.
He rEould simply move that the message of
the President and accompanying documents
he laid on the table.
Mr.. Hoar (Rep), of Massachusetts, saiA
| that his side OF tho House desired to debate
tie subject. Tho motion, however, was I'M
debatable, and it was adepted--yeas, 1853
maya, 90-a PARTY vote
| Mr. McCrary (Rep.), of iowa, offered a reso-
luton setting forth that differences Of opinion
excited as to the proper mode Of caava ring
the electoral votes for President and Vice
President, and as to the manner Of determin
| ing questions that may arise as to this legality
| aud validity CT returns made Of such votes by
| the several States and that committee Of
| five 10 appoiDte1 by the Speaker, in co, in,c
ton with any similar committee appointed by
the Senate, TO prepare and report, without
delay, euch measure, either legislative or
constitutional, as may in their judgment be
| beat calculated to accomplish the desired end
an that the said committee have leave to re-
port st any time. Referred to the judiciary
| committee.
Tne Speaker appointed Mr.. Beebe dem },
OF Now York, on the Louisiana committee in
-tesd of Mr.. Lynde. excused.
Ar Plpor (Dem. }, Of California, introduced
!nii establishing the Territory of the Black
II,s, and providing temporary form Of gov
ernment therefor.
Mr.. Baker (Rep.), OF Indiana, introduced a
bill proposing an amendment to the Constttl-
| ton, forbidding the assumption or payment OF
any claims for lose or damsge growing out OF
tie loss or destruction Of property during the
| lato rebellion.
| A resolution was introduced and laid over to
appoint select committee OF five TO present
| to the suprt me court any matters that may be
deemed necess iry relative to the election ques-
| tior.
resolution was adopted requesting the
President if not Incompatible win the public
service, to transmit copies OF all orders. direc-
| tons, etc., to any military commander OF
civil officer, with reference to the service OF
the army or any portion thereof in The States
Of Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana and
Florida since the fret of August last, toge her
with reports, telegraphic or otherwise, Fl ON
any Of such military commanders or civil
officers.
The House passed the Pension bill, which
| appropriates over twenty eight millions of dol
| lars. 1t was passed without debate.
The Speaker announced the appointment Of
Mr.. Clymer (Dem }, o. Pennsylvania, to fill
the vacancy in the committee on approprla-
tions caused by Mr.. Randalrs retiracy.
Bills we're introduced by Mr.. Eames (Rep) },
Of Rhode Island, reduc ny letter postage to
two cents. By Mr.. Hunter (Rep.), of Indians,
for the purchase Of oliver bullion and it's coin
age into dollars, which are to be legal tender
for ali debts, public and private, inclu1 ng
duties and coin interest and by Mr.. Glover
Dem, Of Missouri, for the protection OF