The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-22
Washington Gossip.
Democratic Plans-Cabinet Making-riI-
den's Course-The Filiibusters-An IN,
eligible Elector from Maine,

The Washington correspondent of the Boston
Advertiser says the proceedings in Representa-
tlves hall Tuesday were quite as interesting as
those OF any previous session since the electo-
raj count began. Considering the feeling
which exists on the Democratic side, the debate
was surprisingly free from acrimony, and some
members actually INDUCED in iocosity. The
Louisiana question was decided in the House
by strict party vote, excepting the votes of
Messrs Pierce and Seelye, who voted with the
Democrats. The attitude of Messrs. Seelye
and Pierce greatly stiffens the fillibusters. The
course of this class Tuesday affords some indica-
tion of their plan of action, which is to delay
the count by plausible pretexts as long as pos
sible, thus gaining all the advantage without
incurring the edium of open fillibustering.
A careful examination of the list of those vot-
ing for recess, Immediately after the
Michigan objection came before the
House. shows that they can depend upon about
thitty-ive men, about half of whom are Ohio
Indiana and Kentucky members. The conser-
vative Democrats are treating these hot-headed
friends of theirs very tenderly. For example,
when the roll call, on Mr.. Woods motion to
take recess, was complete, it was found that
the nays were in the majority. upon which Mr..
Hunton hurried over to the Republican side,
and pleaded with Messrs. Hoar Townsend and
others to change their votes saying that the
conservatives were anxious to mollify the IRE
concilabes, and that a refusal to take recess at
that time would exasperate them. This reason
appeared to be sufficient to enough Republicans
to change the result, and the recess was carried.
The conservatives are still conf lent that they
will be able to restrain the fllibusters from any
overt act, but to do this they feel that they
must allow them some latitude. The appre-
hension is that the fllibusters will, after profit
ing all they can by the complaisance of the
conservatives and Republicans, break away at
last and prevent the completion of the count by
any meaus.
Mr. Crapo's speech on the louisiana case
is highly praised, even ny those who do not
sgree with him in his conclusions. The speech
of Mr. Foster of Ohio was happily conceived.
He deprecated the contemplation of ths result
OF the electoral contest as triumph of one
party over another, and enforced the idea that,
pc matter which candidate was successful,
both parties would share in the triumph of
peace and law over disorder and possible civil
war.
To man of Randolph fuckers expectations
as a constitutional lawyer, the result of the OBJ
lection to the vote Of Hanchett, one of the
Michigan electors. is humiiating. The obiec-
ton was the product of fuckers legal mind
solely, yet in the Senate it was voted unani-
mously that it was without foundation either in
law or in fact, an in the house Mr.. jerks OF
pennsylvania, who is good lawyer and not
merely pretentious one, took the matter
quietly out of Mr.. fuckers charge and let him
down easily and ANONYMOUSLY.
During this afternoons session of the elect
oral convention four distinguished generals of
the Union armJ-Sickles, Logan, Burnside and
Sherman, CHANGED to sit in group together,
and within few feet of them were Generals
Clayton and West of the Federal army and
Cockrell aud Maxey of the Confederate
The Massachusetts deleg alton voted, seven to
four, against counting the vote of louisiana;
Messrs Banks, Crapo, Harris and Hoar for,
and Abbott, Chaplin, Pierce, Seelye, Tarbox,
Thompson and Warren against
Now that Maine is counted says the Boston
Advertiser, an ineligible elector turns up there.
A genuine case too.
The Globe correspondent has information
from the most trustworthy source that Mr. Til
den is averse to the policy of delay, and that
as soon as Mr.. Hayes is inaugurated he will in
stitute proceedings in quo warranto, or in scjre
facias by citing Mr.. Hayes to show cause why
he should not vacate the Presidential Office, for
the purpose OF getting before the full Bench of
the Supreme Court the question as to whether
the tribunal In excluding evidence construed
the Electoral bill in accordance with its true
meaning and with the Constitution. This Will
nave the effect OF an appeal from the Tribunal
to the Supreme Court in'full bench, and compel
the Court to go on record as sustaining or re-
versing the action of the Tribunal. The first
test will come on the question OF jurisdiction.
If jurisdiction is affirmed, the next test will
come on the question as to whether the Tri-
bunal properly discharged its duties under
the law If this be entertained by the
Court, the third and final test will come on the
question as to whether the evidence excluded
by the Tribunal shall be admitted in reioinder
to Mr.. Hayes's answer to the citation 20 show
cause why he should not vacate the Presidential
Office.
The persistent efforts INDUCED in by inter.
ested parties in forming Cabinet for the in
coming President seems to give great annoy
ance to Governor Hayes and his friends. A
private letter received states that mention
of names Of persons for Cabinet positions under
tie next Administration is entirely speculative,
as the subject has not been mentioned by Gov
ernor Hayes to his most intimate friends and
therefore he is entirely unpledged to the ap-
pontment of any one to any OF these positions,
and intends to be in no haste in the making up
of his Cabinet