, 1876-12-09

of Kerr, the last Speaker. There
being, therefore. no presiding OFF,
Ger, the House was called to order
at noon by Mr.. Adams, the Clerk.
who called the roll of members.
The call showed 249 present; the
whole number on the roll being 2s8.
As soon as the call was finish ed, Mr..
Holman rose to offer resolution
for the election of Speaker; but Mr..
Banks interposed, as a question OF
superior privilege. the right OF the
member elect from Colorado to have
his name placed on the roll, SO that
he might participate in the election
o: Speaker, and send up the Gre
dentials of the Colorado member.
CHICAGO, Dec. 4The Times Wash
ington special represents Grant as
steadily weakening, in anticipation
of impeachment. The town has
been excited all day about his in
terview with Hewitt. Republicans
abuse him roundly as a spiritless
migrate who deserts the party that
made him.
Blaine has indicated that he has a
great surprise in store for his friends
which it is surmised is square re-
lection of the part assigned the Se-
nate in the counting-in conspiracy.
Other rumors, painful to Republi-
cans, are afoat.
The Presidents message is ready
to be sent to Congress at noon to-
morrow.
The situation at Columbia causes
Chandler and Cameron the greatest
anxiety. It is believed the with
drawal of the Democrats to-day re-
suits from an interview etween the
President and Hewitt, which caused
the latter to send the Columbia De-
mocrats message.
The Worlds Washington special
thinks the Presidents message will
be deferred several days. Grant is
exceedingly anxious to know the re-
suit of the electoral vote before fin
ishing the message.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 4.-Ex-Senators
Catell, Schurz, John D. Henderson,
and other prominent men of this
city, have forwarded letter to the
President of the U. S. Senate, rela-
tive to counting the electoral vote,
with request that he lay it before
the Senats. They say the present
condition of the country calls for
some action which shall settle the
present political disquietude. The
clause in the constitution respecting
the canvassing of the electoral vote
is quoted and pronounced indefinite
and liable to divers constructions.
The attempt to canvass the vote in
joint session in Congress is depreca-
ted as certain to raise partisan issues
and develope strife which may prove
disastrous to the country. The let
ter then proposes, as remedy, that
the whole matter shall be transferred
to the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States. It is urged that that is
the only tribunal from which fair
bipartisan decision, one which will
satisfy the whole people, can be OBJ
tanned. To effect this the letter pro-
poses that the two Houses shall i'm
prove the three weeks preceding
Christmas in framing and agree
ing upon a constitutional amend
ment placing in the Supreme Court
the duty of canvassing the electoral
vote. Most of the State Legisla-
lures meet Immediately after the
holidays, when the amendment
could be submitted. The letter
holds the opinion that the amend
ment would be ratified without de-
lay, so that it could be made part
of the constitution and apply to the
present election. Both of the Pres
idential candidates, it is urged,
would recognize the wisdom of this
course, and both Republican and
Democratic Legislatures would rat
ify. The letter dwells at length
upon the wisdom of removing this
important matter from q tribunal
likely to be affected by party strife.
PACIFIC COAST.