The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-26
From Washington.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.


DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.
The democratic caucus convened at half
past seven last night. At that hour about
seventy-hve members were present. Some
of those who favored dilatory proceedings
in the electoral count were absent, as they
were dissatisfied with the action of the ma
jority of the party to-day in voting to con
tinue the count, while those who were in
favor of continuing the count did not care
to meet with those of opposite views. The
object Of the caucus, no wever, had no ref
erence to the proceedings of the house re.
garding the count, but with regard to the
law of 1902, which provides that in case of
removal, death, resignation, or inability of
both president and vice-president of the
United States, the president of the senate,
or il there is none, then the speaker of the
house for the time being, shall act as pres.
dent until the disability is removed or a
president elected. 1t was commended in the
caucus that should there be no declaration
OSiOiC tuO iOuiih Vi VI tuS CicCtlOu
Of president, based ON the electoral returns,
there would be no such vacancy as contem-
plated by law, and therefore pro-
vision should be made for such con-
tingtncy. Mr.. Field stated that he had
prepared a bill to meet the contingency
which he explained. After sone discus
sion the caucus adopted resolution in
structing the committee on powers, priv
ileges and duties of the house to report
MoLd y, or at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, Fields bill providing that in Case
there be no cleo ion of president and vice
presld-nt under the count of the electoral
vote, the president of the senate shall as
sumo the functions of president aud oew
election is to be held at time to be fixed
by the committee. The resolution further
instructs the committee to report Fields
bill providing for quo soarranto proceed
ings before the United States supreme
court with reference TO the final settlement
| of the presidential question, the electoral
bill containing no definite provision re-
garding the subject. There was also some
general discussion relative to the disposal
Of points of order that may arise during
the further count of the electoral vote, but
no resolutions on this point we're adopted
and the caucus adjourned.
COCK AND BULL STORY.
About eleven o'clock yesterday a rumor
| gained circulation that an attempt would
be made when the senate passed in process
sion through the rotunda on its way to the
house TO seize the two mahogany boxes
containing the electoral returns in order
to prevent any further count. But little
credence was attached to the report, but
the chief of police placed an additional
number of policemen in the rotunds dur
ing the passage both ways of the senatorial
procession. No attempt was made, how
ever, and probably none was intended.
PRIZE MONEY.
Judge Carter issued an order on Satur.
day requiring the secretary Of the navy &c
show cause why he should not be compell-
ed to pay Charles L. Stevens and Others
prize money to which they allege they are
entitled tor the capture Of the rebe
Albermarle.
BAD FOR Combines CHANCES.
The Worlds Washington special says
Senator Sherman was summoned from
Ohio for consultation on the election OF {
new president of the senate from the list O
senators who hold over, and that it is pro
posed that either Sherman or Morton viii
be selected, for the republicans of tn,
senate have decided to elect new presid
ing officer. One of the plans to controver
the result of any filibustenng on the par
of the house, this dispatch says, is to cleo
Morton or Sherman president and hav
Grant resign Saturday. The vacancy con
templaled by the act of 1893 will then ex
ist, to be filled by the president of the sen
ate until a new election is held.
FIELDS BILL.
The Times Washington special say
Fields bill discussed In last nights caucu
cannot be introduced except In legislativ
session of the house and that cannot b
held till after the commission takes up th
case of South Carolina.
BEN HILLS OPINION.
The Heralu's Washington special says
In Friday nights caucus Ben Hill oppose
Fields bill providing tor failure to cleo
presidtn', conteniipg that whether ther
had been failure to elect could not b
known until the count was completed, An
If there was failure TO elect, the bill vic
, lated the constitution because that provit
cd in such case for an election by tn
house.
e LOUISIANA TAXES.
Gov. Packard telegraphs Marshal Pitkir
now here, as follows; Nichols despatch |
e Burke relative to tax collections In Loun
a ana merits no confidence. Nichols Ia
o collectors can neither collect taxes nor g,
a local recognition as such collectors II
v assessment rolls for collectable taxes III