Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-13
foriy.fourth Congress.

The Presidential question has been preipiattd
suddenly and Unexpectedly upon Congress by tLe
special message Of the President, enclosing the
evidence taken before the louisiana returning
board
Senate - After protmc.cd debate on the rc-o-
luton Of Mr.. withers Of Virginia, asking III.
President why he posted troops at Petersburg
Va, on election day--whlch was finally agreed
to-the sherman report in regard To Louisipir,
WIS taken up sherman himself warmly defend
ing it, and Bogy and Others speaking against il
and motion 10 print the documents aocomtan,-
ing the message was referred to the committee on
printing.
Houee -The Presidents message. covering S,n-
ator Shermaus report aud accompanying docu-
ments was read, in spite Of a bitter attempt to
proven, it, and then laid the table, after cutting
of all debate by strict party vote
THURSDAY December 7ih
Senate a sharp debate occurred, covering the
whole ground Of the louisiana election, on the mo.
ton to print the dispositions accompanying Sena-
ator shennans report TO the President The mo-
ton finally preyailed-forty to thirteen. Senator
Mitchell, of oregon. introduced preamble and
resolutions directing the committee on privilege
and elections 10 inquire into all the facts connected
with the late Unprecedented action Of the Gov
| ernor II Oregon ia respect 10 the Presidential
electors In that state, aud report 10 the senate
Senator Howe introduced bill 10 restrain unau-
| thorized persons from assuming To act az electors
OF President and ce-presideut
House-Mr Atkins, Of tennessee, reported the
pension appropriation hil-approphating thirty
| eight million three hundred and fity thousand
doars-Onc million dollars less than last year
\ Mr. McCmry, Of Iowa introduced preamble aud
resolutions providing for a special committee of
| FIVE, 10 meet like committee on the part Of the
Senate, 10 devise ways and means for peaceful
and equitable settlement Of the pending PRIEST
dental election; referred TO the judiciary commit
tee. resolution was adopted appropratns
twenty-one thousand dollars Tor the expense. OF
the special southern investigating committees
Mr.. Wood offered resolution calling on the Pres
dent for copies of all orders or instructions frpn
him or his subordnaics Ia respect to the send
ing Of United States troops to South Carolina
Florida or Louisiana. Adopted after rejecting
proposed amendment TO make the usual eNce,-
tion-"if not incompatible with the public IN
terest"
fKnAH, December sth
SeHaie-On motion Of Mr. Morton the chair was
authorized to add three to the committee on priv
eges and elections. to aid in It's Investigations Of
the late elections in certain Southern states The
resolution Of Mr.. Edmunds, providing for 20
amending the constitution that the electoral vote
should be counted by the Supreme court, coming
up, a discussion arose, which involved the exist
ence of the famous heerfy.frsi joint rule. which
the democrats claim is still in force and whereby
they insist that the counting Of the electoral vote
/ lao fr All = a..
Houses After full discussion it was decided
fifty to four, that said rule was not in force
several Of the most promlnen, democratic Senators
voting with the Republicans
Houss-Mr. Baker, Of California; offered re.o-
luton proposing an amendment to the cunstitu-
ton fotbddng the payment Of any loss or claim
for property lost in the late rebellion; referred
Mr. Lemoyne, of H. offered resolution for
joint committee to obtain the opinion Of the SUI
preme Court upon the respective rights Of the two
Houses in counting the Presidential vote.
MoSDAy, December lith
Senate The session was mainly occupied with
a discussion OF Mr. Edmnnds proposition to give
the counting OF the electoral vote To the Supreme
Court. Mr. Elinnnds ably supported the resolu-
tions and Mr. Morton spoke in opposition.
House-Mr Glover. Of Missouri, introduced q
bill providing that the President shall employ the
army and navy only after the legislature of
state has certified 10 him that the authority Of the
state is forciby resisted, and is unable To over.
come such resistance, or after the Governor has
certified to him that riot, Instruction or acts Of
rebellion have occurred, which such Governor has
endeavored and is unable TO suppress, aud also
that he has endeavnred TO convene the legislature
and that such legislature cannot he convened b.,
reason Of such domestic violence. Mr. Spencer
Of Louisiana, moved TO suspend the rules and
adopt a resolution instrucng the Judiciary COM
mlttee 10 Inquire what intimidation has been
practiced on government employees during the late
election to compel such employees To contribute e.,
the election fund Of any political party, and wha,
legislation Is needed to abate the evil; defeated
yeas one hundred and thirty -four nays seventy
four
TUESDAY, December 18th
Sendte.-In the Senate the report of the demo
cratic visiting committee at New Orleans was pre-
sented and ordered printed. A resolution was
adopted calling for the number of deputy United
States Marshalls employed election day, the OH
ect thereof and nature Of their duties
House-ln the House, Mr. Blair, Of n. H., in
the manufacture and sale of distilled liquors after
1900 A discussion was had involving the exist
ence of the 2lst joint rule during which the
speaker decided that il was still in force