The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-12-13
CONGRESSIONAL


submitted a resolution providing for an
additional Senate rule. Referred.
Bogy presented a memorial embfae-
ing the report of the Democratic com
mittee which visited New Orleans.
Ordered printed.
Bayard's resolution asking the Attor-
neyGeneral toinform the Senate asto the
number of deputy q. S. marshals en-
ployed on election day, was agreed to
with Edmund's amendment requesting
/ also a full statement of the necessity
for employing them and the nature of
their duties.
The Senate then discussed Mitchell's
resolution directing inquiry into Gro
| MINIS appointment as an Oregon elector.
Merrimon introduced a bill amending
section lag of the Revised Statutes
concerning vacancies in the Office of
President and ice-President.
Pending discussion on the Oregon
question, Edmunds demanded regu40r
order, being the joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitu-
ton SO as to have the electoral vote
counted by the Supreme court.
A joint resolution extending the time
for making the report of the commits
sion to inquire into the feasibility of
reducing the army, till january 20, 1877,
was agreed to.
The Senate then resumed considera-
ton of the order demanded by Ed
munds.
The judiciary committees amend
ment providing that the court shall dis
regard informal errors and consider
substantial rights, was agreed to, and
other verbal amendments were adopted.
Edmunds submitted an amendment to
his amendment, making the measure
applicable to the present Presidential
contest, if ratified promptly enough,
etc., SO as to provide that the court
shall fix a day not later than the
10th day of February, 1877, for the
count, and proceed with it daily until
disposed of. Agreed to. The joint
resolution was then reported to the
Senate, and the amendment made in
committee of the whole concurred in.
Merrimon proposed an amendment
making Supreme court justices ineli-
gible as candidates for President or
Vice-President or any U. s. appointive
office until four years after ceasing to
be such justice. Agreed to.
Conkling said one object of the viva
voce vote, proposed by the judiciary
committee, was to enforce the consti-
tutional provision f~orbidding electors
to vote for candidates for President and
Vice-President from the same state.
This provision could be violated if bal
loting was allowed.
Morton again opposed the measure as
re-enacting the faulty electoral college
and throwing the election into the
House, both of which provisions should
be wiped out. There was a bill now
before the Senate to provide for count
ing the electoral vote, which had passed
the Senate, but was still on the table
on account of u motion to reconsider
having been entered, and this bill might
be passed, he said, to meet the present
emergency. e
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, said he
didn't intend to discuss the question of
the electoral vote of Oregon, as more
able men would discuss it hereafter.
The country was not often so startled
as by the violation of law by the chief
executive of Oregon. The state consti-
tuition, showing the governors duties,
says he shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed; that in all popular
elections the person receiving the high
est number of votes should be declared
elected; that the Presidential vote
should be canvassed like the Congress
sional vote, and the governor should
issue a certificate to the person having
the highest number of votes. The law
nowhere gave the governor jurisdiction
over the eligibility. In this Grover
didn't commit an error of judgment,
but took jurisdiction without any legal
authority. Possessing all the facts,
therefore, Mitchell thought nobody
could even have the hardwood to de-
fend the action of the governor of
Oregon in issuing a certificate of cleo
ton to Cronin, and refusing to issue
one to Watts.
Sargent said lie knew something of
Pacific slope politics, and denied that
Democratic speakers in Oregon pro-
claimed Watts to be ineligible. Mitchell
said he made a thorough canvass of
Oregon and never heard any question
of Watts ineligibility by either party,
or any newspaper. He left Oregon
November 18th for San Francisco, and
heard nothing of it till he reached San
Francisco.
Blair introduced a constitutional
amendment forbidding the manufacture
of distilled liquors as a beverage after
the year 1900. Referred.
Bland called for the resumption OF
unfinished business of the last session
under the 21st joint rule. The speaker,
after having the. rule read, decided that
it was imperative, and that unfinished
business of the last hour of the proceed
ing session must have precedence.
Under the speakers ruling BANDS
silver bill came up from last session in
the morning hour, and went over. It
will be debated Wednesday and Thurs
day.
The select committee to visit New
York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and
Jersey City was announced, with Cox
as chairman. I'll
The p~ostofice and fertilization ap.
preparation bills were reported. and
the House adjourned.