The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-03-08
COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES.

@!-nOt TO sustain the decision OF the Electoral
Commission. 1t was nearly strict party vo e,
voting with the majority. A little after one
O'Clock message was sent to the Senate an
nouuc ng that the House was ready to meet that
o:al count. About halfpast one the Senate
reached the hail of the House of Representatives
when The Presiding Officer stated that the two
decided The objections to the certificates from
the State of L ruisiana, and directed thst the ac
ton of each house be read. This having been
done. the Presiding Officer announced that tn.
two houses not having decided otherwise, the de-
cision of the Commission would stand, and di-
rected the tellers to announce the vote Of Louisi
HAYES and Wheeler Then followed Maine, with
her seven votes for Hayes and Wheeler; Mary
land; with her eight woes for Tllden and
Hendricks, and Massachusetts. with her thir-
teen votes for Hayes and Wheeler When
chigan was reached. objections were filed to
the count. on the ground of the alleged incapacity
hcirg. made the Senate Withdrew to let the objec-
tons be considered by each house separately.
oh house overruled the objections, and at twen-
~ MIMI es after I'VE the Joint Convention reas-
action Of each house on the objec'io and direct
ed the vote of Michigan to be announced. This
was done. and he eleven votes of that State were
counted for HAYES and Wheeler Then followed
Minresota, With five votes for Hays and
Wheeler; Mississippi, with eight votes for
Tilden and Hendricks; Missouri, with fifteen
with three votes tor Hayes and Wheeler. When
Nevada was reached Mr. Springer filed objections
to the 70 on the ground hat one CT tie Electors,
at the time OF his appointment. held an office OF
pr'ft and trust under the United ates. The
Senate Withdrew TO consider the objection. No
conclusion had been reached by either house at
the time If adjournment.
The House and Senate, in separate scs-
sion, on the .1st, overiuled the objections filed in
the Nevada case. Notice was sent to the Sena' e
hiatt hG ,Nr-as lie, 10, .S,l,
count, and quarter to TIVE I've o'clock the Sen
ate made i,s appearance and the Joint Convention
was called to order. The vote of Nevada for
Hayes was counted: then followed New jersey.
for Tiiden: New Hampshire. for Hayes: New
York and Norih Carolina, for Tilden. and Ohio,
Tor Hayes. Fifteen minutes only Were Occu lied
| in opening and counting the woes of these six
States. When Oregon was reached. the reading of
all the papers was demanded. The first Ger, ifcate
was that of The Republican Electors: 7 hen came
called for objections. Mr.. Kelly filed his obiec-
tons to the Republican certificate. and Mr. Mitch
ell to the Cronin certificate. Mr.. Lawrence PIE
There being no further obje ctons, the senate re-
tired and the papers were referred to the Electoral
| Commission That body met at one o'clock The
na hass Rsp
| motion to print was adopted. Senator Kelly
and Mr. jerks appeared as objectors to the Re-
publican. and Senator Mitchell and Mr.. Lawrence
as @ jectors to the Crouin, certificate. On mot on
of NJ. Kelly, an order was issued for the produc-
lion Of the commission and resignation of Mr.
Watts, and Senator Mitchell ard Mr. v ats sub
| penaed AZ witt esses. Mr.. Kelly submitted his
objections to the Republican certificate, claiming
that Watts was Postmaster at the date Of the
election. and consequently. disqualified to serve
or's duy knowing this fact to decline to issue a
commission to him. He was followed by Mr.
J J! also in behalf Of the Democrats; Mr.
| the Republicans. and claimed that the Governor
OF oregon was not authorized by law to certify to
the election Of minori Candidate. judge Law
| Electors came with evidence Of title which
| sati fed every provision of law and u>ag
and d.e,ared ,, that the whole controv rsy
Hayes Electors BY single prop ,sition, that
II the monstrous. proposition could be maintained
that Cronin was legally appointed, yet he refused
| to act, neglected to attend with Odeil and Cart
wright, and his place became vacant. and Watts
was duly appointed to fill it. The DemOcrAt,c
| counsel at this time claimed and we're granted
addi ional time. and the Commission TOOK a re-
cess. At half-past seven O'clock the Commits
sion reassembled, Mr.. Merriak and Judge Hoad
ley appearing f,r the Democrats, and Mr..
the Republicans. Mr.. Hoadley then began his ar
gument. making the point that the Commission
| excluded evidence in The Florida and Louisiana
said without the exercise OF judicial power they
cOult not deprive Tilden and Hendricks Of one
| vote cast for them in Oregon. Without the excr.
Hayes and Wheeler. At the conclusion OF judge
HOadley's argument, the Commission adjourned
| to meet at ten a. M, on the 22d.
The Electoral Commission reassembled
| at ten O'Clock on the morning of the I'D. Mr.
Matthews. for the Republicans, spoke in opposi.
ton to the Cronin certificate. He insisted that
| the Republicans occupied the ground they occu.
pied at the beginning. and which had been fully
| sustained by the decisions in the Florida and
Louisiana cases, viz, that a certificate, based on
the returns, was con lusive evidence OF an cleo.
,ion. The trouble with the Oregon case was that
the Cronin certificate was not based on the re.
turns. but entirely Independent Of them. At the
conclusion of Mr.. Matthews speech, the Commits.
none being forthcoming, the Commission
took recess. After the recess, Mr.. Merrck
offered certified copy of the commission of John
w. Watts. as Postmaster, dated Feb. IL. 1873. Mr..
Evarts objected to the paper as not authenticated
Judge Clifford sustained the objection, but Mr..
| Evarts afterward withdrew it, and Mr.. Merrck
presented the commission Of Henry NJ. Hill as
Postmaster, dated Jan. 8, 1877, in which it was
recited that he was appointed on the Sd of Novem:
ber. 1876. telegram from Mr.. Watts, received
| on the 4th of November, resignirg his position
was offered and admitted Postmaster General
Tyner testified to the receipt of this resignatin IN
testified as to the esme facts, and Mr.. McGrew,
Sixth Auditor. testified that Watts accounts had
been adjusted up to and including Nov. a.. At
argument. After stating that the Republican
view of the case was Consistent with their claims
in the cases Of Florida and Louisiana, he took up
1
claiming that In it every Constitutional require.
ment had been complied with. Mr.. Merrick
spoke In behalf of the Democrats and argued
that, the laws Of Louisiana, Florida and Oregon
being similar in respect to the appointment Of
Electors, If it was wrong to 60 behind the certiA-
Gates In one case II was in the other. At the con-
clusiOn OF Mr. Merrfchee address the Commission
went into sec ct session, and coon after ad.
jOurncd until ten q. m on the following day,
agreeing to take vote ~ four p. m, unless the
members should be prepared to vote at an earlier
| hour.
The Electoral Commission reaesembled
in secret session at 1880 a. M, on the ssd, and
remained in consultation on the Oregon cass fou,
| and half hours. At three o'clock the discussion
| being concluded, and Senator Thurman not hay
ing been able to attend on account Of illness,
| recess was taken and committee appointed Il
| Learn from him whether he would come to the
Capitol to vote or preferred that the Commission
should proceed to his residence and transact
and the members Of the Commission proceeded
to Senator Thurman's residence. Thu
Senator was confined to his bed. and &c
Commission was called to order iel''i and :,
noted below. Mr.. Edmunds submitted 4 res"lu
Cronin; Miller and Parker, purportinx to cast the
Electoral vote OF Oregon, does not contain O.
certify the Constitutional votes to which the Stat
. resolution. declaring IN substance that j. W.
Watts was Ineligible, on the 9TH Of November, t,
the once OF Elector, within the express terms o
the Constitution. This substitute was rejected
toS Justice Field then offered resolution, declar
Ing that Ode!l and Cartwright were the only person
chosen q Electors in Oregon. watts being incl
trust under the United States, and that there wa.
failure on the part Of the State to elect thur
Field offered third resolution. declaring thai
the attempted selection OF third elect0r b,
OdeIi and Cartwright was imperative. 4 wa
rejected by the came vote--7 to 9. Mr.. Bayar,
i Odcll and Cartwright were the votes pr0videt
for by the Consultation. and that they. am
Electors from Oregon, and that these v.Mcs an;
none Others should be counted from the State Of
Oregon. This resolution was also rejectsd-7 I,