Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-12
Democratic CaucusSes.

At the caucus of the democratic U. 5. Sena'
tors, held yesterday, the political situation was
discussed and the attitude Of the President com
mented on with severity. The highly partisan
character of his late manifesto was spoken of IS
foreshadowing desperate and extraordinary &C.
ton on the part of the Administration In refer
ence to the attitude Of the two political parties
and determination to override all the previous
practice of the two Houses, if necessary, in SO.
curing count for Hayes and Wheeler. A CON-
mlttee, consisting of Messrs. Thurman, Bayard,
Bogy, Herman and Eaton, was appointed by
resolution, with instructions to act with any
similar committee that may be appointed on
the part of the House of Represen tatives in ref
erence to the relations of the two Houses, and
the legal remedy, if any, for the present dith
culties in the matter Of determining upon the
count OF the electoral votes, and what provision
should be made for any future complication
that may arise in reference thereto.
The caucus of the democratic members of the
House OF Representatives, yesterday afternoon,
was vi an exciting character. Among these who
smoke upon the situation were hessrs. Randall,
Wood Csu6eld, Hunton and Carr. The re-
Gently developed attitude of the republican Ad.
ninistration, through the President OF the United
States, was the principal topic Of consideration,
and his recent manifesto was characterized as a
aagrantly partisan uttsrsnee unworthy the dig
nifed Office he holds. 1t was held that it WAS
manifest from the late utterances of the Presi.
dent upon the political situation that the Ad.
mini.tration is determined TO carry out any
scheme which may give the party reasonable
hope OF counting in the republican candidates
for President and Vice President, and that the
Chief Executive CT the nation is not only will
ing but anxious to back up that determination
ut the point of the bayonet.
There was great excitement among .he North
ern and Western mombers VIII 1t WAS an
nounced by Mr. Randall that ne mad heard that
the President WAS resolved to have Hayes and
Whe sier inaugurated, and to accomplish thst
end would, if need be, throw enough democrat
ic members into Fortress Monroe to give the
followers of the Administration majority at
the Joint meeting for counting the Presidential
vote a resolution was about to be offered to
empower committee to inquire into this state
ment, but at the suggestion of . member it was
resolved to await the return of the House COM
mittees sent to the Southern States. and if their
report shall show indisputably that T.lden and
Hendricks are entitled TO the electoral vote of
Florida and Lousisils, the democratic members
of the present Congress will set the facts forth
in an address to the people; and also that in the
events above named they will insist upon the
inauguration of Tilden and Hendricks, and re-
ly upon the great mass of the American peonle,
who are in favor of law and order and d free
government, to sustain them.
Several members spoke IN relation to what
Mr. Randall had sale of the reported purpose of
the President in reference to the democratic
House. ana expressed the firm belief that the
programme indicated would be carried out, and
also the fear that people that would look
tamely on and witness the unconstitutional acts
of the President In South Carolina and the va.
rious acts of usurpation that have characterized
the conduct of the Administration in the South
ern States, before and since the election, would
gu bmit to any further lswlessness or violence
unless aroused at once to the danger that, under
such stats Of things, menaces cur free govern
ment.
The caucus expressed determination to con-
test all attempts of the Administration to insug-
urate Hayes ard Wheeler, unless those csndi.
dates shall be found 10 be legally eectsd, until
ali legal means are exhausted, and rely on the
people to take the matter up and assert the right
IF the majority to rulo. if need be.
On motion of Mr.. Huuton, resolution was
sdopte to refer the existing complications to the
Judiciary Committee of the House, through 9
resolution to be presented in the House hereaf.
er with instructions to determine npon whist
$ the legal course for the House TO pursue in
e ference to canvassing the Presidential vote;
md also what are the legal relations of the two
Houses toward each other in reference thereto. !