New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-17
A RE VIEW OF THE VICTORY.
AT THE COURTROOM.
| SCENES OF TIE DAY-THg DECIsION-A COMPLETE
ROUT OF THDEN HOPES

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The Electoral Commits
sion announced its decision not TO receive any esti-
mony in the Louisiana case shortly after o'clock
this afternoon. When it adjourned yesterday it was
with the understanding that the discussion in pri-
vate session should continue until o'clock to-day,
and that vote should then be taken on all pending
resolutions.
A vote was taken at o'clock on the question of
admitting evidence, and it decided in the mega
tive-Ayes, 7; Nays, S-the usual party vote. Both
Democrats and Republicans agreed after this that
there nothing to do except to decide the main
question at once, which accordingly DONE A
resolution was adopted by the same vote declaring
that the returns Of the Hayes electors were valid
and should be counted. committee consisting of
Judges Miller and Bradley and Mr.. IIoar was ap-
pointed to prepare a report Mr. HOar being put In
in the place of Mr.. Edmunds. who was the
Corresponding Committee in the Florida case, on
account of the illness of the latter.
The report, as presented and signed by the eight
agreeing commissioners this evening, is very similar
to that in the Florida case and in almost the
language. IL states that there is authority in Con-
gress to 20 behind the certificate Of the Governor,
founded the declaration of the result of the cleo
tion made by the Returning Board. In the matter
of eligibility, the report declares that the
committee decide not to receive evidence
outside of the certificate and papers sub
mitted to show that any elector was
ineligible the day of holding the election in No
vember: and that the decision rested upon the
ground that it not essential whether an ecctor
was OF was not eligible on the day when he gave his
vote. The fact that the papers in the case show that
the electors alleged to have been disqualified were
chosen to fill vacancies caused by absence, and fur
ther, that there was no allegation that when they
=; "a t.ir they IA
ferred to.
As 4 o'clock approached to-day crowd consisting
of politicians, journalists. Senators, Representa-
tives and Others began to gather in the corrl-
doris adjoining the Supreme Court room and
to block up the passage ways leading from II to the
Senate chamber. For more than an hour no
inklng of what was going Oh within the closed
doors could be obtained by those who impatiently
waited for their opening. No member or officer OF
the Commission came out; and no sign was gwen
from which the result of its deliberations could be
coDjectured. 1t was an hour OF most anxious wait
inc As the crowd increased in dimensions when
the Senate and House adjourned and ex-
tended even into the lObbes surround
ing the Senate chamber and out into the
rotunda. nearly filling the latter almost every
one who passed through the narrow way kept open
by squad of special policemen was questioned Ill
vain for news. Finally at about 3:l3 an order was
given to open the doors The crowd closed In round
them in spite of the efforts OF those whose business
it was to guard them; and when the counsel passed
into the Supreme Court room to receive the orders
of the Commission many Others who MAD not uchets
succeeded in gaining entrance also. lhe reporters
gallery WAS also filed in an Incredibly short space
of time. go
When order had been restored, the presiding
;usiice directed the clerk of the Commission to read
tbe several resolutions upon which votes had been
taken and to announce the result of each. Perfect
silence reigned in the courtroom as one after
another of the propositions made by the Democratic
members of the Commission to admit evidence oh
one or another of the disputed points winch had
been raised was read and the vote upon IL an
nOunced.
The Democrats lost hope when they learned the re-
suit of the first of these votes. For some uhhhoWh
reason they had been confident during the "hoio
day that Mr.. Edmunds, or Mr. Hoar, OF Judge Dlau
lev would vote in favor of admitting evidence Oh
one of these points; but when they saw that tne
vote stood as in the Florida case-o 10 anu ica-
lied that the Commission had divided IN accordance
with the political sympathes of its members .heS
knew that they had nothing more 10 hopo
for. The Republicans, who had peeh una
BILE to conceal their anxiety, fet as tho"sn
great load nau Dceh ih''"
sboulders. They could not help showing this Ill
their countenances. All other questions that had
beeu settled by the Commission were preliminary
The decisions i'm the Florida case were encouraging
IN the Republicans and equally depressing 10 inc
Democrats because the latter had entertained great
bonos that the law in the case OF FLORIDA was on
tbar side and that il might be so declared by the
Commission In the Louisiana case they depended
more upon the equities. Even when Florida hai
beep decided against them, although temporarily
d;scouraged they still hoped that the new points
which they raised against the legality OF the returns
from Louisiana might be favorably considered, ana
might turn the scale in their favor.
II is evident that the Democrats do not intend 10
mako a fyht on the Oregon After the exposure
90 the climber dispatches it would require more forth
,ude 10 do so than than the party possesses Inc
s. ppst go to the Commission under the Electoral
Lou bscouse there are contesting returns; put II
ss.ms certain that a decision against the Crohlh
votes will not be resisted by the Democratic oou',
sel Judge IIoady Is said to be ID great state Vi
mind over the prospect that he VIII nave 10 OPP
nortunity of enliglteninR the Tribunal ana the
country on the legality aud proprety OF tine scheme
for stealing vote.
In spite of the agitation among the Democrats
Mr. Hewitt saws tonight that there VIII dc nc
t,mnt In DELAY the count of the electoral votes
The democrats feel that they have been swindled IN
way that il humiliating but they agreed To accept
Abe arbitration of the Commission and they intend
TO do it.
Tho House will take recess after the joint session
tomorrow until Monday, and then in the two hour
An L.. t.taiu tai