The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-15
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, December IA.
SENATE.

elections, NJ essrs. Morton, Logan and
Herman, were occupied this morning in
an important discussion of questions Of
law in relation to the late elections in
Oregon and New Jersey; and tomorrow
Will continue The investigation of the case
of the alleged ineligible Presidential
elector of New Jersey.
In the morning hour the resolution to
print extra copies OF the Presidents mes
sage and accompanying documents in
regard to the late election in Louisiana,
was taken up.
Mr.. Thurman moved 10 amend so as
TO have presented with the message and
documents the memorial of Messrs. Bogy,
Stevenson and Mcdonald embracing the
report Of the Democratic committee
which witnessed the count in New Or
leans. A long discussion followed.
Mr.. Sherman said he could not allow
the statement of the gentlemen who
represented the Democratic party III
Louisiana TO be printed with u public
document without making brief reply.
He was sorry the signers OF the
papers presented by the Senator from
Missouri, known as the report of the Demo-
cratic committee, did not consider the
question OF intimidation. They evsded the
question entirely and their whole paper
consisted of an array OF technlcalltes
to defeat the law Of Louisiana.
The Democratic committee in
their paper alleged that under
the law of Louisiana there was no pro-
vision made tor the election of a Presi-
Dental elector. II that was SO no one
in that State had ever found it out. Mr..
Sherman then read from the law OF
Louisiana and said it was manifest that
the Democratic committee had taken
very narrow view OF the law. II their
construction of the law was true, there
was no provision of law in Louisiana for
the election OF any officer IN that
State. He denied that the law of
1872 repealed the election law OF
1870 as claimed by the Democrats,
and argued that the law OF 1872 merely
changed the mode Of conducting eiec.
tions. Upon this point the Democrats
had wasted about q column OF their re-
port. The next objection raised by the
committee WAS that the vacancy on the
board was not filled by the appointment
of Democrat. He argued that the ques-
ton OF filing the vacancy was one OF
propriety, bu. did not effect the legal
status OF the board. He would not say
whether the vacancy should have been
filled or not. Had he been member OF
the Returning Board he would have
been in favor Of appointing any Demo-
crat who could be found willing
to serve on the Board. The Democratic
Committee also found fault because the
whole clerical force OF the Returning
Board was Republican. lie knew of no
law requiring the Board TO employ DEM
ocratic clerks. The House of Ropresen-
tatives mad turned out every clerk and
employee OF his Sherman political
faith, but the Republicans did not COM
plain.
Mr.. Sherman then referred to the
charge that the stiidayits OF the super
visors OF election IN Louisiana as to in
| timidatton were not made within twenty
four hours after the election,
| as the laws of the State require
He quoted at length from the report made
by the Republican committee, OF which
| he was a member, and claimed tnat the
atfidavIts were properly made by the
supervisors. he argned that the Demo-
cratic committee did not impeach the
| fairness of the mode Of conducting the
count bv the Returning Board. In sew
enteen parishes there WAS intimidation.
! As to the extent of 1t, these gentlemen OF
| the Democratic committee dared not
commit themselves. He Mr.. Sherman
WAS willing 10 stand not only before tho
Senate, but before the people
of the United States, and msIn-
tam that there was intimidation IN
| Louisiana 10 an extent which changed
the result OF the whole election
There WAS murder, riot, whipping and
violence by the organized rifle clubs OF
the Democratic party. The members "i
| the Senate, as Senators and men, ought
to keep their minds cool and deliberate
! to decide the questions now pend
| ing. The electoral vote of three or
four States WAS in dispute. AS to
South Carolina, he believed that II
WAS conceded by all thst the cleo
toral vote was for Hayes and Wheeler.
Messrs. Randolph and Withers de-
MED there WAS any such concession.
Mr.. Sherman, resuming, said that the
vote of Florida and Louisiana WAS IN
dIepute, but as to Oregon he did not
think the case would rise to the dignity
ofa dispute lie believed the Democratic
candidate himself would scOrn TO hold
the office of President IN pursuance OF
such fraud.
Mr.. Thurmsn argued that the docu-
ment which il WAS proposed To prlnt pre-
senlcd but one side Of the case. and that
when both sides should be before the
Senate another picture would be pre-
sented. lie was surprised Al the remarks
of his colleague sherman and he was
disposed 10 answer some oil them
now, but the matter would be before the
Senate again. The people would see
that there WAS another word ending IN
| oion" besides intimidation, and there WAS
such \ word A. rxaggerstion. He argued
that there should be time to examine
both sides ol this matter. lie then
move ed that further consideration Oi the
subject be- postponed I'll tomorrow.
After some discussion, Mr.. Thurman, re.
suming his remarks, SAID that the Presl-
dent in sending committee to Louisiana
had sctei outside OF his official duty, and
the committee sent by him had
no official sutho-Ity. In sending
hi; committee to New Orleans the PresI-
dent selected the Senator from Ohio and
three gentlemen who are members Of the
House OF Representatives Therefore there
was champion in the Senate 70 present
the Presidents side of the case. and he
supposed three champions in the Hoase.
! OF the Senators on the Democratic side
| of the chamber tho went 10 New Orleans,
/ not one OF them attended the sessions OF
the Returning Board.
( Mr.. Sherman said there were Senators
aad Representative in New Orleans be.
/ longing 10 both parties.
NJ. Thurman said there wss no qses-
tion but there were Democrats IN
( Louisiana, and that there had been more
Democrats than Republicans in that state
! for some years past. He argued that It
4.