River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-14

iative, such as may best be calculated TO Sc
cure the counting of the Presidential votes IN
manner that shall not be questioned. The
resolution was referred to the Judiciary COM
mittee. Mr.. Frye presented protest from
the Colorado Legislature against the refusal
OF the House to admit to his seat the member
elect from that State. The House then adj
jOurned.
On the Sth inst. in the Senate, on
motion to take up Edmunds' resolution pro-
posing an amendment TO the constitution pro-
viding the manner OF counting the electoral
vote, MerriulOn made the point OF order that
under the 2lst Joint rule the resolution could
not now he considered. The Chair Ferry
oveFruled the point, and announced that the
Joint rules were not in force. Merrimon APP
pealed irsm the decision OF the Chair, with
other Democrats arguing that the JOINT rules
were in force, because they could not &c abol-
ished by one House without the consent OF
the other. Bayard tDem.l as at the last ses-
sion OF Congress, sided with the Republicans,
and asserted that the joint rules might be
terminated by each House at its discretion.
Without the transaction of other important
business the Senate adjourned to Monday
In the House, Mr.. Baker of Indiana,
introduced bill proposing an amendment TO
the constitution forbiddiDg the assumption or
payment of any claims tor loss or damage
growing out of loss or destruction OF property
during the late rebellion. resolution Tor
the appointment of q committee, ard request
ing the Senate TO appoint a like acOmmittee
to act Herewith, TO present to the Supreme
Court TOR their opinion on such questions
bearing on the jurisdiction and powers OF the
two houses in Joint session in counting the
electoral vote as said committees may deem
important in this crisis, went over on prop
osition by the Republicans to debate. The
pension appropriation bill was taken up and
passed. The resolution of Thursday 10y MIR.
Wood, OF New York, calling the President
for copies of instructions sent to or received
from military officers in the South was taken
up and after debate passed. The House then
adjourned to Monday
In the Senate OH the 18th, the report
OF the Democrats attending the Louisiana re-
turning board was ordered printed. The
committee ON privileges and elections report
ed favorably on the resolution authorizing an
investigation as to the eligibility OF WAITS,
the Oregon elector. Laid over till to-day
Senator Cameron, OF Wisconsin, introduced
bill providing that from and after its enact
ment the United States shall receive legal
tender notes at par in payment OF import du-
ties and all dues and revenues OF every kind.
The Senate then resumed consideration OF un-
finished business, being the joint resolution
Of Edmunds proposing an amendment to the
constitution providing that the electoral vote
for President and Vice-President be counted
by the Supreme Court. An amendment was
adopted providing that the electors shall vote
viva voce, instead OF by ballot Edmunds ar
gued in favor of the proposed amendment at
length, and was followed by Morton, who OPP
posed it. Without action the Senate adj
journed.
In the House on the 18th, under the
call of the States the following were the more
important bills introduced: Reducing letter
postage to two cents; tor the purchase OF silver
bullion, and its coinage into dollars, to be
legal tender for all debts, public and private,
including duties and coin interest; (by Glover
dem.l To protest States against domestic
violence-providing that the President shall
not use the army until after the Legislature
OF State has certified to him that the author
ity of the State is forciby resisted, and that it
is unable to overcome such resistance, or after
the Governor has certified that riot, iDsurrec-
ton or overt acts of rebellion have occurred
which he has endeavored and is unable to sup
press, and that the Legislature cannot be con-
vened because of such violence. The rules
were suspended and and the Judiciary COM
mittee instructed to inquire on the legality OF
the circular letter issued blythe Attorney Gen
eral during the late Presidential campaign to
United States Marshals in relation TO their
powers and duties in such election