The Morning herald., 1876-03-14

The Electoral Vete QuestiOn ana the
Powers Of Congress I'm the senate
Mr.. Cox ON states Rignts-The Res
elution Adepted-Ec., Ae. 10y /
senate.
By American Press Association.
lr WAsHrNar TON, D. c., March 18th.
Mr.. Morton called up the Bill to provide
for and regulate the President and the de. |
cisiou of questions arising thereon.
Mr.. Bayard thought it very proper that
important question should be consid-
cred at this time. The fact that the two
Houses were controlled by different parties
was likely to lead to the adoption OF come
measure on the subject which would be sat
isfactory to the American people. He said
that the Joint rule which permitted the re-
lection of the electoral vote of any State by
the dictum of either House seemed per1ect-
" satisfactory to the dominant party until
the complexion of the House changed.
Mr.. Morton said he had been in favor OF
abrogating that rule for three years. Bout
well said Immediately after the counting ot
the electoral vote In 1869 attention had
been called to the I'D joint rule and long
debate had ensued on its danger.
Mr.. Bayard said whatever debate had
occurred, the fact was that the rule had moi
been changed. He said that this bill just
as that rule conferred upon the two Houses
a power over the electoral votes of the
States, which, he did not think, had ever
been intended by the Constitution.
Mr.. Sherman said that the bill provided
that no electoral vote should be rejected
without the concurrence of both Houses,
but the provision in Section 3, leaves it at
the discretionary will Of each House, when
TO put the main question on objections
which may be made to the vote Of any
state. This would put it in the power OF
either House to protract the debate, and
thus defeat the will of the people. 1t might
be said that this was not probable, but as
VIC are now providing against all contingcn-
cies, this must be considered. He suggest
ed that an amendment he made making it
mandatory, on each House, to terminate
the debate at the end of two hours.
Mr., Eaton pointed out that under the I'd
Section of the bill, If two sets of electoral
votes were received, and the Senate decided to
count one and the House the other, neither
would be counted, and the state from which
the two sets of vote came would have No
part in the Presidential election.
Mr.. Morton quoted from a speech made
by him In January, 1878, in which he spoke
In the strongest terms of the dangers of the
29d joint rule. This he said was long be-
fore there was any idea that the House
would be Democratic. This bill differed
from the 22d joint rule, in that it allowed
debate on disputed questions, rnd provided
that no electoral vote should be rejected
except by the concurrent vote of both
Houses.
After further discussion, Mr.. Coope,
moved an amendment to the second section,
that in case of two sets of electoral votes the
House of Representatives voting by States
in the manner provided by the Constitution
when the election of President devolved on
the House, shall decide which vote shall be
counted. s.e~y -g ,.~-r
Mr.. Frelinghuysen suggested an amend
ment that in case of disagreement by tht
tive Houses, as to which shall be counted
then the President of the Senate shall de-
eide.
Mr.. Maxey advocated the adoption ol
some proposition by which these disputed
matters shall not be left an open question
Mr.. Bayard advocated the amendment OF
Mr.. Cooper, and In the course Of his re-
marks said the Electoral College migh4 as
well be abolished, as, practically, the peo-
pie now voted directly, and there was nc
further need of the interposition of the
Electoral College. 80.
Mr.. Herman also advocated the amend.
ment. He thought it was proper to leave
such questions to the popular branch,
which would reflect most directly the will
Of the people.
Mr.. Morton said the House called upon
to decide these questions would be the
fore they might not reflect the will of the
heretofore made by him, showing that in
the event Of the House being called upon ia
elect the President of the United States il
would be possible for forty-ive members
out of 292 to elect President. In like
manner, under the amendment of Mr.
Cooper, it would he possible for forty-fvt
members to decide upon the electoral vot'
Of q State. The government, he said, wal
not government of States but govern
ment of the people. The most illogica
proposition was that the clause of the Con
stitution providing for the election by tn
House of Representatives in certain con
tinsencies of the President, when it wa
possible for forty-6vs members, represent
ing one-ffth Of the people, to elect.
Pending the discussion, the Senate wen
into Executive Session, and soon after ad
journed.
Mr.. Southford, Ohio, moved to suspen
the rules and pass resolution calling o
the Secretary of the Treasury for a state
ment of the money due from collectors {
Internal Revenue, who are not now in Office
since the organization of the Bureau, wit
the names:and amounts so due,with the dat
of appointment and removal, and by whor
said collectors were appointed; adopted
also resolution directing the Secretary {
War to report if any officer Of the Army ha
been promoted since 1874, in ACCORDING
with the provisions of the revised statutes
adopted. .. ,....-......., !,