Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-12-15
Proceedings Of Congress.


During the debate the Democratic Senators
arraigned and denounced the Louisiana return
ing board for its iniquities, while the Repub-
ican Senators were unsparing in their denun-
citation Of Gov. Grover, Of Oregon, for award
ing IL certificate to one of the Democratic pres
deniial electors A resolution WAS introduced
by Senator Mitchell, OF Oregon, insructng
the committee on privileges and elections TO
investigate the facts concerning the appoint
meni of presidential electors in Oregon. Mr.
Howe, of Wisconsin, introduced bill to re-
strain unauthorized persons from assuming 10
act as electors for President and Vce-Pres-
dent.
In the House resolution was offered by
Mr.. McCrary, and referred to the Judiciary
Committee, for the appointment of a joint com
mitee to prepare plaza for counting the cleo
toral vote and determining questions that
may arise as to the legality and validity of the
returns Of the presidential election. A reso-
lnton was adopted appropriating S2l ,0O0 for
the expenses Of the special Southern commit
ices. a resolution was offered by Mr.. Wood
for copies Of all orders from him or any Of
the executive departments TO any military or
civil officer in regard to the service of the
army in Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana
and Florida, but objection being made the
resolution went over.
In the Senate, Friday, on 81 point of order
raised by Mr.. Merrimon, Mr.. Ferry, the Presi-
pro tenn. Of the Senate, decided that the joint
Mr.. Merrimon took an appeal, and after
lengthy debate the decision Of the Chair was
sustained by vote of so TO A. Messrs Massey,
of Texas, Merrimon, Whyte and Wilhers vot-
ing in the negative. The Senate took up The
Joint resolutions proposing an amendment 70
the Constitution Of the United States in regard
to counting the electoral vote, but without
proceeding to their consideration adjourned
until Monday
! Ia the House n resolution was offered pro-
viding for the appointment of a joint commit
tee to present to the Supreme Court certain
questions in regard TO the Jurisdiction and
| powers Of the two Houses in Joint session in
counting the electoral vote, in order to elicit
the opinion Of the Court thereon. The reso-
| luton offered by Mr.. Wood on Thursday call
ing on the President of the United States, if
moi incompatible with the public interest, for
copies Of all orders from him or any OF the
executive departments to any military or civil
officer in regard to the service Of the army in
| Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana and Flori-
da was passed. Congress adjourned until
Monday.
| In the Senate, Monday, notice was given that
a petition would be presented to that body
embracing the report Of the five Democrats
who were invited TO witness the canvass of
tho votes cast in Louisiana at the late election
Mr.. Edmund's joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution so as TO have
the electoral vote for President ana Vice
| President counted by the Supreme Court was
debated until the hour of adjournment
In the House bill was introduced 10 pro-
tect the States against domestic violence. A
resolution for the appointment Of committees
to examine into and report upon election
.
Philadelphia, and in Virginia, Mississippi aud
Alabama, was voted down, but afterwards, on
motion of Mr.. Cox, Democrat, the portion OF
the resolution relating to New York, Brook
| Ign, Jersey City and Philadelphia was adopted
Mr.. Goode offered II resolution, which was
adopted, instructing The Judiciary Commit
lee to inquire and report on the legality of the
circular issued by the Attorney General during
the late presidential campaign 10 United States
marshalls in relation 10 their powers and
duties in such election
! In the Senate, Tuesday, the resolution pro-
viding for an Investigation in regard to the APP
pontment Of Cronin, Democrat, an elector in
Oregon, was discussed at length The joint
resolution proposing an amendment 10 the
| Constitution so as TO have the electoral vote
counted by the Supreme Court was further de-
bated. Finally the joint resolution was re-
ported to the Senate and the amendments
made in committee OF the whole were con
Cured in. Mr.. Edmunds indicated his pur-
pose to press for an early vote on the resolu-
ton.
In the House discussion took place as 10
the existence Of the joint rules, during which
Speaker Randall distictly took the ground
that these rules are binding until both Houses
concur in abrogaling them.
In the Senate, Wednesday, the resolution
authorizing the Committee on Elections and
| Privileges to investigate the facts attending
the appointment of presidential electors in Or
egon was considered. Mr. Bayard argued that
the Senate had no right to suggest moral OF
official delinquency in any one before inyesii-
eating the facts, and that it would be unjust
TO declare the Governor Of Oregon has acted
| in violation OF law before all the circumstances
have been ascertained. The resolution was
laid over, and the Senate considered the joint
resolution for amending the Constitution so as
TO have the electoral vote counted by the Su.
preme Court. Mr.. Bogy argued against tie
resolution, contending for faith in Congress,
no matter how weak and ignorant some of lis
members may be- The Supreme Court Judges
are but men, and have party attachments and
human fraillies as well as members of Con-
gress have, and such an amendment would
luton was rejected by ayes II, nays 81.
In the House the only business transacted
was the passage of a bill providing for the
coinage of silver dollars TO be legal tender
for all public and private debts except where
gold coin is now required by law.