Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-02-07
WASHINGTON, Feb. {

w WASHINGTON, req. Z, 1911.
Certainly never before was the Hall OF
the House Of Representatives or any hall
on this continent filled with so many dis
tinguishcd men rs assembled on yesterday
to witness the counting of the electoral
vote. VIM M. Evalts, Judge Black and
Charles OConner were there. The hsto-
rian Bancroft, Judges of the Supreme
Court and the General of the Army were
present. Members of the cabinet, many
governors and eXgovernors of states were
on the floor, while the galleries were filled
with the Diplomatic Corps, the families Of
Representatives and Senators. members Of
the press and an "elect' host that had been
admitted by ticket. The interest in the
count was such us has never before been
manifested, and when, at one o'clock the
Senators filed in two abreast and arm in
arm, while the Members of the Honse
arose to receive them, the solemnity of
the occasion, and the magnitude of the
interests involved were felt in profound
silence.
The Senator's took the seats that had
been reserved for them, the lame Senator
from Illinois coming in last upon his
crutches As soon us order was restored
after the confusion incident to the seating
of the Senators, Vice President pro tenn
pore Ferry announced that in accordance
with the act Of Congress the counting of
the vote would be proceeded with. IN
locking one of the boxes in which the
certificates were all carefully arranged in
alphabetical order, he took from it the GER
tficates of the State Alabama. Inspecting
the exterior of one of the two packages,
he broke the seal Of the one delivered to
him by the messenger, took from it the
paper enclosed, which he at once passed
to Senotor Allison, one Of the tellers on the
part Of the Senate, who proceeded to read
the electoral vote and the accompanying
redundant legal certificates. AS he ap,
preached the CONCLUSION, excitement and
anxiety arose to an almost painful height,
for it had been announced that Senator
Spencer would object to the returns from
Alabama. All eyes were turned toward
him while he sat grasping the arms of his
chair us if ready to rise, But, if he enter
tanned such an intention, he did not carry
it out,
The count proceeded smoothly and with
out incident until the vote of Florida was
reached, when, after the Hayes electoral
returns We're read, the Vice President pre-
sented another set of returns from that
State, and, when these had been read by
the tellers, to the surprise of all, there was
third set of returns presented, duly at
tested and stamped with the great seal OF
the State. This last return proved to be
more vOluminous than any of the others,
for it contained in detail the vote of every
county in Florida. Mr.. Conkling insisted
that the total footings only should be read,
and this was agreed to with the under
standing that the matter should be printed
IN ertensO in the Record.
The reading of the returns from Florida
was followed by objections presented re-
spectively by Hon. David Dudley Field
against the Hayes certificates, and by Sen
ator Sergent and Representative Kasson
of Iowa against the Tilden certificates
The certificates from Florida, with accom-
panying papers, were referred to the com.
mittee appointed under the provisions Of
the new electoral bill, md this committee
tllltlEu llIluCNltI"l1 upon llCllIAlll'Ll y
consideration of the question in the Su.
preme Court room. 1t is of course idle tc
speculate upon the final result. If the
committee deci les that Florida must be
counted for Tilden, the agony will bC
over; if, however, the state shall be count
ed for Hayes hope and anxiety will be pro
longed. The court of reference and the in
vestigating committees absorb all interest
now; but little thought is given to legis.
lation The appropriation bills were never
before so far behind at this advanced day
of the short session as they now are, and 1
call for an extra session Of Congress il
seems will be indispensable.
Just at present society seems 10 have 4
pencbHlt for masked balls. Our represen
ttives and their wives and daughter,
must have recreation, something " to kn
the raveed sleeve of care" The Jal mas
que at Wizards Hotel, last night, was tn,
social event of the week, many distinguish
ed personages were present, among other,
stripping the light fantastic toe" was Gen
Sherman. Wizards spacious and elegan
hotel has II large hall to which there is &C
cess by II covered and carpeted way. The
hall is used lo' dancing, the drama, lee
lures or religious services as the occasion
demands. c.