Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-14
The Commission.

WAsmSoToS, February 10. The electoral
commission met at eleven A. NJ. All the mem
pers were present except Thurman.
Judge Clifford said objections to certificates
Nos. and (the Hayes electors), would be heard
for two hours, and then objections to certificate
No. 2 would be heard for two hours, and that the
commission was now ready 10 hear objections on
the first named certificate
Senator Mcdonald said he observed one of the
commissioners (Thurman) was i'll, and he sug-
gested there be little delay before going on, to
allow hlm TUE to come in, which was agrCe ed to.
After delay Of fifteen inmates Judge Clifford
announced that Thurman 5 clerk reported he was
suffering with neuralgia, but would be down to-
day. The commission directed the argument to
proceed. Thurman came in ten minutes late.
Senator Mcdonald then proceeded in the sup
port of the objection to Hayes certificates. re-
capulating the objection presented in the house
yesterday.
Mr.. Jencks said that by the ac, &. o. the
commission, it had been determined aud settled as
fact that the two houses should count the votes.
The duty to count carried with it the necessary
power to perform the act. This being enibi aced
IN the constitution, no legislative act could deprive
them Of the power SO do SO inteiligently.
Senator Howe addressed the commission, OBJ
yectlng to the counting of the votes rendered by
McEnery and his associates because the statutes
OF the nied States required electors votes to be
certified by the governor of the state, and Nc
Emery never was governor.
ask, he continued, this commission to listen to
the lawful voice OF Louisiana, as YOU would listen
to the lawful voice of any other state, and give
weight to it. There is more than one foul stream
to be found in Louisiana. That to which the 9TH
er side pointed may be dirty, but coming right
from that state know of other and larger streams
which are not merely dirty bu: bloody
| would be glad if in this tribunal, or in any,
there was power to say that only pure water
should run anywhere. Bat the power does not
reside in any tribunal. l want all the streams to
be cleansed and purified as soon as can pc, but
take the touler element out first.
At the conclusion of Senator Howe's argument,
Judge Campbell informed the commission that
Messrs. Carpenter, Trumbull and himself would
appear as counsel for the democratic side of the
case
Mr.. Evarts announced that Messrs. Stoughton,
Shellabarger and himself would appear for the re-
publicans.
Judge Campbell requested that the time for the
argument on the merits be extended to six hours
for each side, and Commissioner Abbott submit
ted motion to that effect.
Commissioner Garfield moved to amend by
making the time four hours for each side
Without voting on the question the Commission
on the motion OF Mr.. Edmu uds took recess uu.
30 o'clock
On reassemblng the commission announced
that four hours and a half be allowed to each side
for their arguments and that the commission
would commence the hearing at O'Clock and sit
until this evening.
When the Commission again assembled at ,
O'Clock, ex-senator Carpenter rose aud said, "If
the Court please to relieve some little anxiety that
exists in some parts of the country let me occupy
one moment in stating for whom appear here. |
desire to say in the first place that | do not ap-
pear for Samuel j. Tilden. lie is a gentleman
whose acquaintance / have not the honor of,
with whom have no sympathy, against whom |
voted on the 9TH of November last, and if this tri-
bunal possessed power to order another election
should vote against him again, believing as |
do that the accession of the democratic party to
power in this country to-day would be the great
est calamity that could betal the people, except
one, and that one great calamity would be to keep
him out by fraud and falsehood. ! appear here
four ten thousand legal voters in the State of Lou
lsIana, who without accusation or proof, indict-
ment or trial, notice or hearing, have been dis
franchised by four villains incorporated in per-
petual succession, whose official title is the Gre
turning Board of Louisiana"
beg your honor to pause moment and con-
slider the lesson you to teach to the future pol
iticlans of this country by this days work. This
Is no ordinary occasion, no ordinary tribunal, no
ordinary cause An emergency has arisen which
has induced the two Houses of Congress to create
a tribunal never before known, tribunal made up
of what is most distinguished in this country fer
integrity, for learning, for Judicial and legislative
experience, and 10 tide the Nation over a great
CT us It's affairs. The decision which you pro-
nouhc o. tins couIse will stand a land mark in
all the future history OF this country, and ask
you to pause and tor slider for momen what you
are asked to do here. The honorable gentlemen
from the House who have appeared here against
us do not pretend that by the votes given on the
9Th of November, the Hayes electors were elected
in Louisiana.
No serious pretence of that Kind is made. Since
the last election the democrats have got possession
OF Florida, saved to them by the decision that
where clear proof is offered that returning board
has acted fraudulently in making up their certif-
Gates this high tribunal will take no notice of 1t,
and if this tribunal will not neither house of cor
gress can, for you have here the power of each
house and Of both houses, and If these democratic
congresses of Florida don't send up another ticket
Mere by ten thousand majority it will be because
they have not improved upon the lesson given.
Shortly after seven o'clock Mr.. Carpenter COM
planned of being unwe and unable to proceed,
to morrow.