Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-12-14

Southern States, which ommlsslon can De at
tributed only to the fact that the course be
has pursued towards them is .ungenerous, IN.
merited and entirely indefensible.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
In the Senate on the 5th, Mr.. Edmunds
moved to take up the resolution submitted by
him on the previous day, ordering an inquiry
into the late election in the various Southern
States, which motion led to a lengthy debate,
after which the motion to take up the resolu-
ton was agreed to by vote of 80 to ~, and
after further discussion the resolution was
adopted. The States to be investigated under
this resolution are Louisiana, Florida, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Caroli'
ma. The subcommittee provided by the res
olution will sit in Washington, having power
to send for persons and papers. Mr.. Morton
submitted resolution, which was ordered to
be printed and to lie on the table and be re-
ferred to committee on privileges and elections
when appointed, providing for an amendment
to the constitution for the election of Presi-
dent and Vice President, so that these officers
shall be elected by the voters Of the Congress.
ional Districts, the person receivingsthe high.
est number of votes in each districtto receive
one vote for such district; the person receiv-
ing the highest number Of votes in State, to
receive in addition two votes for the State at
large the person receiving the highest mum
Der Of votes at large to be President and do
ing away with the Electoral College. The
only important action in the House was
to provide for FIVE ubcommittees in Louisiana
three in South Carolina and two in Florida,
with two Republicans and two Democrats on
each, for the purpose ofassisting in the inves'
tigation of the election in those States. On
the South Carolina committee appointed on
the FIRST day of the session, the name of Coch-
rane, of Pennsylvania, was substituted for that
of Stenger, of the same State, excused on &C
count of illness in his family.
In the Senate on the 9Th, motion to print
1900 copies of the Louisiana Republican
Committees report to the President was pass
ed by vote of 40 to 13. Mr.. Mitchell offered
resolution condemning the action of Gov.
Grover, of Oregon, in giving certificate of
election to Democratic Elector, and provi.
ding for the committee on privileges and elec-
tions to investigate the facts attending the
election Of Electors in Oregon. The resolu-
ton was ordered to be printed. In the House,
a resolution offered by Mr.. Wood, of New
York, calling on the President for copies of
instructions given to military officers in the
South, was objected to by Mr.. Kasson, Of
Iowa.
In the Senate on the 7th, on motion of Nor
ton, it was ordered that three additional mem
bers to the committee on privileges and elec-
tions be appointed to aid in discharging the
duties imposed by the resolution Of Mr.. Ed
munds, requiring an investigation into the late
election in the various Southern States. Mr..
Edmunds moved to take up the joint resolu-
ton proposing an amendment to the Constitu'
ton of the United States in regard to the
count of the Electoral vote by the Supreme
Court. Mr.. Merrimon, of North Carolina,
objected, and read the 21st joint rule provi-
ding that unfinished business left over from
one session shall not be taken up for action
until after the lapse of six days from the be-
ginning of the subsequent session. He made
the point of order, that under the rule the
joint resolution could not be considered now.
The Chair (Mr. Ferry) overruled the point Of
order and announced that the joint rules were
not in force; besides, this subject was covered
by the Senate rule 50, which he directed to be
It provides that at the commencement
OF ssad session business shall be resumed
ana p.U,c.xith 49, as if no adjournment had
taken p;sos, of ths hssssrimon appealed from
S;setian sas to taking up said he had no
eould be done properly. Ba'<sso.us,ou "n+r ~
first Joint rule was in force, as he ps% ps% :.
wa. the resolution could not be taken>
He thought that rule contained very who'll
aome nroyision. Mr.. Merrimon then argue
that the rules were in force, and it was n
competent for the Senate 70 aooiiSn Sn0
without the concurrence of the House OF Ne
reseptatives. Neither house could wlthdra
;ts assent to these rules without the conc'
rence the other. The debate continued
\ dav. and was of technical character OIL
:;ncidsntal allusions being made to the gu
ion asthe Electoral vote. = vote was hna
y6ched-the question of beingo the app
ofMr Merrimon from the decision OF the chs
\ The decision was sustained, yeas htty. NJ J,
s>as follows: Maxey, Merrim0n, wind
son sssSz>aday. In the House, the ? ?
!os ,!Sofsseill passed. A resolut'
- w York, calling on
=, ! |, :, : : !; !,
!ssAs> orders and inst'