The New York herald., 1876-12-19
CONGRESS-
Efforts in Senate and House to Settle
the Electoral Question.
A JOINT COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Defeat of the Bill to Decrease the
Presidents Salary.
DEBATE ON THE OREGON QUESTION
SENATE.

wAsHrScroS, Dec. ls. 1874
Mr. WRIGHT, (repl OF Iowa, 10 accordance with
previous notice. introduced bill TO establish court
for the tra Of contested elections in the onces OF
President and Vice President OF the United States he
said he would not ask reference Of the bill this
time; he had prepared It without consultation with
any ono, but committed TO its terms, and
would DO glad to suggestions IN regard 10
it from other Senators He did not share the
feelings OF many who imagined that trouble and dam
ger would he tho result OF this contest He had conh
dence that these difficulties would soon disappear and
the constitution aud laws would arise all His
confidence in the common sense Of the people OF
the country. There this country q traditional
love OF patriotic legal methods and hatred OF vo-
lencc That patriotic lovo would triumph He be-
cvci law could be passed that would meet this great
emergency He gave notice that he would move the
reference the bill hereafter and asked that 1t lay
upon tho table for the present and bo printed SO or
dered.
lie also gave notice that he would ask leave Of ths
Senate submit some remarks in favor OF the bill -
an carly day.
THE ELECTORAL voTE
Mr. EpMuxDs. (repl OF VI, called up the resolution
submitted by him ON Friday last referring the
sage of the House OF Representatives on the subject Of
the Presidential election select committee OF seven
Senators 10 act with the House Committee IN prepar.
ing best calculated 10 accomplish the lawful
counting OF the electoral votes ana the best DISPOSE
tion OF all questions connected herewith and waA
unanimously agreed TO without discussion.
THE ADJOURNMENT QUESTION.
Mr. CAMERON, treI.) OF Pa, submitted joint resolu.
ton that when the two houses OF Congress adjourn
Friday. the 22d inst, !. be 70 meet on "Wednesday;
and llO the table.
THE PRESIDENTS SALARY.
Mr. WRIGHT rep oil Iowa, III accordance with pro-
vous notice. called the bill reducing tho salary OF
the President OF the United States from $50, 900 "a
900 per annum, which rassed both houses OF Con-
gress tho last session and was then vetoed BY the
President.
among other reason that he vetoes the bill from
sense oil duty his in oce to himself and
10 what due TO the dignity Of the position OF Chief
Magistrate oil a nation OF more than 40,000000 pso.
pie When the salary OF the President was liked at
S25 600 per annum the nation comprised but 0O0 900
people; poor from long and exhaustive war; with.
out commerce manufactures Hc then refers 10
the Of the salaries OF members OF Congress-
the OF living in Washington. &C.. and says he does
not believe the OF the Republic desire their
public ants to serve them without lair compen-
saion for their services.
Mr.. WRIGHT SAID he did not propose to discuss the
BILL but would simply ask vote OF the Senate
After lengthy debate the question being. shall tha
bill pass Notwithstanding the objections OF the Prest
dent 1t rejected by vote OF % yeas to 10 nays,
not the necessary two-thlrds voting In the Affirmative
THE VOTE
The vote was as follows:-
YEAs-Messrs Aicorn, Bogy, Clayton. Cockerell Conk
ling. Cra.in, Davis Dawes Eaton. Ferry Godthwaite,
aassy morrill,, Norton Prise sherman Thurman. whyi:
~
am D..
Window aud withers-i9.
THE OREGON ELECroRa
The sonato then rasnmad tho 90 oensdsra.ion M or ~;
flushed business. being the resolution oil Mr. Mitchell
directing Committee on Privileges and Elections TO
inquire as the appointment OF Mr. Cronn us Presi.
dental elector Governor Grover OF oregon.
Mr. KEY, tdem) OF Tenn, read lengthy argument,
in which he reviewed the oregon case and said he did
not question the motives OF the Governor VI Oregon
Had ne {Mr Key) been his place. he would have
hold that there vacancy on account OF tho
,negblty OF Watts, and would then have TILED that
v0ntt n n Of
the people He then referred TO the condition OF al
lars in South Carolina. Florida and Louisiana, and
argued that Will Of tho majority IN these states had
reversed by the action Of the returning boards
He referred the argument OF the Senator from Ohio
Nr Thurman) to the effect that the decision
NJ the Louisiana Returning Board supreme,
and must be respected by tho senate the same as de-
cison OF the Supreme Court OF the United states and
said il the decision that Board was supreme IN Lou
isiana the decision OF Governor Grover must be su-
preme in Oregon.
MIR MITCHELL announced that Mr.. Logan desired TO
submit somc remarks upon this resolution but hc was
absent tho Senate to-day on account Of severe IN
disposition.
THE
on motion CT Mr. FERRY the Senate took up the re.
mort the Committee Rules. In answer TO ques-
lion OF Mr. ConKling, Mr. Ferry saii the committee
was unanimous in submitting tho report. Tney had
given the subject much attention. aud It was desirable
TO have The new rules 10 before the holidays
that they might BE- printed In manual Alter some
dcbute the report was rccommitted 70 the commhtee
with instructions to have II printed and inssrt the
changes proposed IN itaiics
LATk SPEAKER KERR
A message was received from the House OF Repre-
scnalves announcing tho proceedings OF that body In
respect 10 The memory Of the late speaker Kerr
Mr. NORTON (repl oi Ind, said that his colleague
fMr McDonald) warm personal friend OF Mr. Kerrs,
was now from the city with OF the nvesti
eating committees OF the Senate. II would be agree
able 10 HIM and friends of the deceased II the
message were the table until the Of Mr..
Mcdonald. SO ordered
A count or the Senate developed the fact that no
quorum present, and the Senate, at halt three
O'Clock, adjourned.