Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-27
!
THE NEWS.
A Proposal for Ab0liSling the Pres.
idelcy.
GOV. CHAMBERLAIN OF SOUTH
CAROLINA STANDS FIRM.
Canvass Of Votes in Florida.
Matters In LOuiSiana.-NtW Com.
plicatlOns Likely to Arise.
Canvass of Votes in Florida

NEW I DIRK, december 70. The worlds
Washington special says public meeting to dis
cuss the question and petition Congress to pass
amendments to the constitution, abolishing the
presidency, will take place Thursday evening next
The public and members of Congress are especial
ly invited. 1t is proposed to abolish the presiden-
ey, and substitute an executive council therefor,
TO be composed of the seven secretaries or heads
of departure nts four to be chosen by the House
OF Representatives and three by the Senate, from
members Of their respective hosses, one or all to
be removed at any time by the House elecung
them and each to have the rights of q member in
both houses.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
New YORK, December %. A Columbia special
to the Times states that Gov. Chamberlain said
yesterday: al have no purpose 10 holding my
present position except to prevent the success o.
great crime, namely-the success of the demo-
cratic party here. l will accept no Office or
place great or small as the result Of yielding
my present position. shall be governor or
nothing"
COLUMBIA, December &c. The supreme court
TO remove the quo warrauto proceedings by the
Tilden electors against the Hayes electors in s. c.
which had been argued by the U. s. district at
torney Colbin, for the motion, and by Mr.. Bark
er and Youmans against, was decided to- day.
Justice Willard delivered the opinion of the court
refusing the motion to remove the case to the U.
s. circuit court, under the act Of Congress Of 1876
FLORIDA.
New YORK, December 26. A jacksonville
special to the Herald says the republicans there
are Of the opinion that Gov. Stearns must sub
NIT to the Supreme Court decision and quietly
turn over the executive office to Drew (dem.)
next Tuesday.
A Tallahassee special says the board of can
vassers will, under the mandate of the Supreme
Court, reasse and canvass the returns to. day
Many prominent republicans, says the Times
despatch, have begged to be excused from testi-
lying before the Senate committee, as since the
decision of the Supreme Court they have NO pro-
lection in State courts.
TALLAHASSEE, December 26. Gov. Stearns
says the decision of the supreme court settles the
election question in this state, and that he has ad.
vised the canvassing board to obey he orders of
the court. Secretary of state McLin notified the
other members of the board to meet in his office
at eleven O'Clock tomorrow to canvass according
to the courts mandate.
The senate committee have concluded their Ia
bors here and left for Jacksonville this morning.
LOUISIANA.
NEW ORLEANS, December. The republicans
are considering such legislation as will confer
suffrage upon women. All the leading republic
cans favor the measure, and it will receive the
early attention of the legislature.
The democrats propose to appoint q duplicate
supreme court, and Gen. Nichols has tender
ed the chiefJusceship to ex-associate justice John
A. Campbell, who has signiiied his acceptance.
This will add materially to the existing complica-
court is appointed for eight years. and the term Of
the present court has expired. Packard intends
to appoint James b. Beckwith now United States
District Attorney, as chief justice, vice Ludling,
the present incumbent, and Judge King will sue
coed Justice Wyhe.
The Senate and House investigating committees
resumed their sessions to-day, and several wit
nesses were examined by each.
The republicans are already taking steps to pre-
vent democrats getting possession of the State
House, and have barrcades for all windows and
doors, except the principal entrances, and placed
guard of metropolitan police there. Republi-
cans say the democratic programme is for Wilt,
the democratic candidaee for lieutenant governor
to take possession Of the senate chamber which
has already been guarded against, and that fail
ing in this the next step will be to organize dem.
ocratic senate in another building. But that this
cannot be accomplished, as there are six demo-
cratic senators who will not consent and that the
result will be that Gen. Nichols will simply be
inaugursted, and then go home.