Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-13
TORTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.

CENAIEs
| WASHINGTON, December IL.
Inc senate report Of the democratic committee
"hich witnessed the count by the returning board
III LOUISIANA, was ordered printed.
'esoiuuon directing the attorney general to in
I M the senate as to the number of deputy U. S.
Marshals employed Nov. 9th, ELECTION day) and
statement OF their duties agreed to-
| Inc senate then proceeded TO discuss the resolu-
Ton oil Mitchell, providing for an investigation in
regard TO the appointment of Cronn as presiden-
| tial elector in Oregon.
The discussion of the Oregon electoral mat
ter was continued at length, Messrs. Morton,
| salisbury, Sargent and Logan taken part.
Pending the discussion, Mr. Edmunds demand
| ed the regular order it being a joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the constitution so as
TO have the electoral vote counted by the supreme
| court.
Mr.. West submitted joint resolution extend
| ing the time for making report of the commits
SION to inquire into the feasibility of reducing the
| army until January 18th, 1877. The resolution
The senate then resumed the consideration of
| the regular order.
| The resolution demanded by Mr.. Edmunds and
the amendment proposed by the committee on the
Judiciary, providing that the court in making the
count shall disregard errors of form and be gov
erned by the substantial right of the matter was
| agreed TO.
Other amendments of the committee of a YER
| pal character were agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted an amendment TO the
| amendment proposed by him few DAYS ago max
ing the measure applicable to the present presi-
GENITAL contest In case it be ratified by three
iourlhs OF the states, &C., so as to provide that
me court shall fix day not later than the 10th of
| Feb 1877, for the court and proceed with it from
day to day until disposed.
lhe amendment was agreed to.
| Inc joint resolution was then reported 10 the
| senate and the amendments made in committee of
| the whole, was concurred in.
Mr.. Merrimau proposed to amend the second
| section OF the Joint resolution, so as to read
mo person holding the office of justice of
the supreme court OF the United States, shall be
| eligible TO be elected as President or Vice Pres
| ldent, or be appointed to any Office under the
I nited States until the expiration of four years
next after he shall have ceased to be such JUS
tce."
The amendment of Mr. Merrnan was agreed
| to then and there.
Mr. Conkling in reply to a question of Mr..
Key said that one object of the judiciary COM
mlttee IN rcquiing electors to vote viva voce in
stead ofhy ballot, was to have the provision of
| the Constitution for bidding electors to vote for
candidates for President and Vice Pres ident from
the same State carried out. If allowed to vote by
ballot this provision Of the Constitution could be
violated but If the electors re III fred to vote
viva voce it could not be violated.
The question being on the final passage of the
| resolution, Alr. Bags said he desired to speak D.
on this subject, but had not had opportunity TO
prepare himself yet. He asked that further con
'ideration OF the Joint resolution be postponed IN
| til tomorrow.
Mr.. Morton said the subject was one of grea
| importance, and he trusted it would be laid over
| until Monday next that senators might have time
to examine into it.
| Mr.. Edwards said it was not his intention to uu.
duly press this subject before the senate, but this
matter has been on the tables of the senate since
the last session, and he could not consent to its
| postponement until next week.
| offending the discussion, the senate, at 3 o'clock
| on a motion of Mr.. Edmunds, went into execu-
| tive session, and ON reopening Of the doors adj
journed
| House.
The speaker caused the DIST rule to be read and
decided that insomuch as that rule was imperative
| the unfinished business of the last morning hour
| OF the last session must have the preference.
Mr. Garfield said he had no objection to the
ruling of the chair under the both rule Of the
| house, but If that ruling implied that the Dist
joint rule was In existence, and binding on the
house, he would respectfully appeal from that
decision.
Under the speakers ruling as to the efficacy OF
the JOINT rules the bill reported at the last session
! by Mr.. Bland of Missouri, to utilize the product
| OF gold and silver mines came up to the morning
| hour.
| The Speaker laid before the House the resigna
ton OF Smith Ely, Jr.. as representative from the
| State of New York.
| lue speaker appointed as n COmmlttee 10 IN
quire as to whether frauds have been practced in
elections in New York, Jersey City and Phia-
delphia, Messrs. Cox of New York, Rice of Ohio
Waddell of North Carolina, McDougall of New
| York, and Wells of Mississippi.
| On motion of Mr.. Wood of New York, the
House at 20 went into committee of the whole
| Mr. Cox IN the chair for the purpose of distrib-
uting the Presidents message.
When the committee arose, Mr.. Hale of Me-.
| from the committee appropriations, reported
| the fertilization appropriation bill, which wa.
made the special order for Thursday. The bill
appropriates S250,000.
| The House land over Banks silver BILL ap-
| pointed a committee to investigate elections in
New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City, with Cox
| as chairman.
| The post office and fortfcation bills were re-
| portel and then the Uouse adjourned