Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-03-08
FEB. 26.-The Electoral Commission re-
at G 40. Immediately after the two

assembled at $50, Immediately after the two
houses separated, all the members present.; Mr..
Herman, successor to Senator Thurman, taking
his seat for the first time. The papers referred
to the Commission of the two houses in joint ses-
sion were read by the Secretary. In response 10
an inquiry as to who appeared as ob1ectors, Mr.;
Hurd announced that Mr.. Cochrane and himself
would appear as DIRECTORS to certificate NO. l.
(the Hayes Electors). MIR. Lawrence said SEN
ator Christiancy and himself would appear Ior
the DIRECTORS to certificate No: 2 the Illden
Electors). Without further action the Commas
sion adjourned till tomorrow.
FEB. 27.-The Electoral Commission
met at 10 o'clock. Mr.. Hurd briefly submitted
reasons why the Commission should reject the
Hayes certificate NO. y from South Carolina
that the presence of United States troops in the
State at the time of the election was calculated
to overawe and influence voters, and did have
of registration as provided by the State Consti-
tuition, by which neglect over 30 600 fraudulent
votes were cast for Hayes. When Mr.. Hurd had
and Mr.. Blair would appear as c0unsei
for directors to certificate No l. Mr.. Cockrane
then submitted certain profers of proof, which
were admitted. MIR. Lawrence tnen made an
argument for the Hayes DIRECTORS, showing that
the want of registration did not affect the cleo
ton, and that the allegation that troops had
been stationed in the State without au-
thority of law was untrue in fact. Hon
Montgomery Blair then followed on the
Democratic side, celebrating somewhat the
arguments made by Mr.. Hurd. at the conclu-
sion of MIR. Blair's argument, Mr.. Lawrence
said the counsel on the other side, IN view OF the
brevlty of time had concluded to submit thecase
without Ju1ge Black then MADE a
brief address, at the conclusion OF which the
Commission went into secret session, and after
about five hours delibera ion, by n vote OF s 10
7, decided in favor of the Hayes Electors. A
resolution declaring the Electors named IN
certificate No. 2 tTilden) not legally chosen
was adopted unanimously. A report was
drawn up to be presented to the two
houses, giving the grounds on which the Com
mission reached its decision. A resolution OF
fered by Mr.. Strong was adopted authorizing
the members OF the Commission to file remarks
made by them during the consultations of the
Commission, and have the same published with
the proceedings of the Commission. On motion
/ of MIR Garfield. the Commission adjourned till
IL q. m. Friday, March =, unless
sooner called together by its presiding officer.
The grounds of the decision are substantially
as follows. That 1t appears upon such evidence
as. by the Constitution and law creating this
Commission. is competent ana pertinent TO the
! CO nsideration of the subject, that the before
mentioned Hayesl Electors appear to have been
lawfully appointed, an" that they voted as such
at the time and in the manner provided by the
Constitution of the United States and the law
and the Commission has, by a majority
of votes, decided that 1t Is not con1epeient,
under the Constitution and law, to 60 into evi
dcnce dtjtndi papers opened bS the President OF
the senate, in the presence of the two houses, tn
prove that other persons than those regularly
certified to by the Governor OF the State, on and
according to the determination of appointment
by Returning Ofhcers for elections n salG state,
prior to the time required for the performance
of their duties, had been appointed Electors, or
by counter proof to show that they
had not. or that the determinatiCn OF said Re,
turning Officers was not in accordance WITH truth
and fact; the commission, by Il majority of votes,
being of opinion that 1t is not within the juris-
diction of the two houses OF Congress assembled
tn count votes for President and Vice President
TO enter upon the trial of suCA question. The
report will also set forth the fact that the votes
OF the Democratic Electors of South Carol M
were rejected by The unanimous vote OF the ON
mission.