New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-19
D1SCTsSION IN CONGRESS.

trpoN REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNk'l
W,sU1NGroN. Feb. Ex-senator Kelly explained
matters Yesterday He pleaded ignorance oil rat
r;ck's cipher at the time he Endorsed the dispatch
about buying a Republican elector. When Patrick
Iaf, Portland he gave him the cipher, but he pro-
tested that he never heard of the project for brlbng
,be elector until the dispatches translated the
ether day. He supposed the money was asked for
.oIelv 70 pay lawyers. Mr.. Kelly proceeded to give
h. theory of the antics Of Mr.. Tildens extreme
,,.ste.o agent in Oregon. He said he imagined that
Patrick was endeavOring to get the Democratic
managers in New-YOTk to think that he alone was
going TO make the next President. The dispatch
soned Governor" Kelly said must have been sent
he Patrick. because Gov. Grover not in Port
land on tine day it sent Mr. Kelly read tele-
cram lust received from Grover denying all knoWl-
edge of the dispatch. Mr.. Kelly's explanation APP
nears 10 be credited by most of his Senatorial assO-
ciates During his six years service here he has
gained the respect of Senators of both parties as
man of frmness and integrity, and they are glad to
he shown reason for believing him innocent OF
compIcity in Patricks conspiracy TO corrupt an
elector Mr. Kelly said nothing, il will be noticed,
toexeulpate the Gramercy Park end of the con-
spiracy In fact, he took 1t for granted that Col.
Pslton's dispatches genuine, and was only
anxious 10 wash his own hands from the transac-
ton.
After the explanation - which occupied nearly
half an ho1r-was over, MI Sargent took occasion,
without rejecting upon the correctness OF Kelly
parrltive TO deuOunce the scheme to hire an
eector to betray his trust one OF exceptional IN
fanny and called attention to the fact that it con-
pectcd itself with the very household Of the leader
Of the Democratic party. A solemn silence ensued
after these remarks 1t was broken, after few min
utes. bv Mr. Bogy who made a kind Of you're
another" answer to Mr.. Sargent, accusing the he
ppblcan partv of fraud in Florida, and saying that
party was "as corrupt as a hell filled with dead
mems bones" Mr. Sargent replied by detailing
Democratic election frauds in Florida.
Mr.. Bocy who appeared all the morning to be III a
state of rage over the Louisiana decision, which
made HIM quite beside himself, was guilty OF assali-
ing Judge Bradley by name. He SAID that Judge
Rradley's memory would 60 down TO posterlty win
those Of Jeffreys and MarborOughand that ms name
would never be pronounced without mss py goou
men. look of disgust came upon the faces OF
Senators on both sides Of the chamber, but no one
seemed 10 think at the time that Mr.. BOgy was
worth borrowing 4 brisk debate ensued between
Mr. Sargent and Mr. Cooper, who were both on the
Florida Iuyesti cation Committee, on the proof OF
frauds on one side OF the other in that State An
hour later Mr.. Morton came IN. and getting the
floor sad Mr. Bogy had done Judge Bradley gross
Injustice and that L he had heard the discussion IN
the Commission be would know that he was
conscientious. upright Judge aud Commissioner
The session of the House yesterday was IN many
r,spects one OF the most important of the present
Winter. although the excitement which prevailed
was largely suppressed consultation of prominent
Democrats was held in the morning before the
House me; at noon for the purpose of determining
what action should be taken in regard 10 the count
Of the electoral vote and it was agreed that Mr..
Lamar should offer resolution fixing IL o'clock on
Monday as the time when the joint convention
should again meet aud the counting OF the vote
ssou.d continue Some of the Republicans seemed
( apprchend that this motion was de-
signed for flibustering, and indicated their
Intention to force an immediate contest Had they
been successful in doing il there would undoubtedly
have been scene of great excitement IN the House,
which might have dIsgraced forever those who par
tcipated in IT, 1t was the plan Of the Democrats to
force this resolution through the House before any
notice was received from the Senate that that Dody
had agreed TO sustain the Commission. Accordingly
the Secretary of the Senate who had come to the
House with a notice that the Senate was ready TO
meet the House in joint session, was kept
standing in the center aisle for three-quaTters
of hour, not being recognized by the
Speaker, in order that the vote on the resolution
might be completed. The oldest parliamentarians
do not remember that such an act of dlsc0urtesy
was ever committed byvone house toward another.
Besides the Republicans few of the Democrats
voted against the resolution presented by Ar Lamar
These were Messrs. Savage, Southland, Iarbox wal
ling, Erastus Wells, Whitehouse, Goodin, and Hay
mond. One or two Of these were men who wished
70 force the issue at once, and were ready for any
revolutionary measures. The remainder desired that
The House should 20 on at once with the count, ana
believed that sufficient number Of their own party
would unite with the Republicans to prevent any
unnecessary delay.
HE time from the adjournment, shortly after
O'Clock until ~ IN the the evening, was occupied by
many conferences among the Democratic Represent
atlyes Of different sections of the country. About
~ OF the Southern men assembled at WIZARDS no
TEL and, with the exception perhaps of one or two,
ey agreed 20 stand by the Electoral bill, and allow
the report of the Commission to have its full effect
IN accordance with the law. Some of those present
al tbs conference thought that the President might
recognize Gov Packard in Louisiana before Monday,
and that this complication might do very much to
arouse imprisoned partisanship here and prevent
Tie success of the efforts Of these moderate Demo-
Gratis, who are determined that the Preslden-
ta count shall be completed. Messengers were
sent 70 some influential Republicans and to the
PRESIDENT to ascertain whether any danger OF this
KIND existed. The answer came seml-oficlally that
IL was untrue. and that the President has no inten-
uon Of disturbing the statu IN quo In louisiana at
hast until after the joint convention shall have con-
eiuded the Presidential count and the President
shall be declared elected. This course Is highly ap
proved by prominent Republican Senators and some
OF the Cabinet officers who do not wish to have the
difficulties Of the situation increased by another
embarrassment Of that sort.
noticeable feature of the days discussion was