The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-11
Washington News and Gossip.
WABIIINGrON. Dec.

expressed himself az length ::,o:: sa..e nf
the aspects Of the Presidential complica.
iion,. lie thought S'ie so..ss,,e;aea. ot The
question might he post poncd till the 4th
OF March, when his power and authority
'-'"ld cease. He said that the law and
t.e precedents gave the President Of the
Senate the right to open the certificates
and count the electoral votes, but they
also established the power of either house
to OBJECT TO the vote Of a State. One or
the other Of the two houses, he thought.
would early fall into making objections
tn the cOuut Of some one of the States,
and when this was once begun, it would
be difficult To say where il would end
Three weeks might thus be CONSUMED
before decision would br reached. Ac.
cnrdiDg tn the constitution and the act Of
1871, he held that the President Of the
Senate would then become tke acting
President of the United States, and he
would be sworn in =. sucb. His own
powers would then Cease. The powers Of
the members of the Cabinet would CON
.inuc uninterrupted fhc subject lu,l
been examined by his judicial advisers,
| aud lie WAS Of the opinion that the Cahi
net all held over until the appointment
0f their Successors, except the Postmaster
General whose functions were limited II
thirty days afte. the outgoing of Presi
dent. Thus, the President Of the Senate
would have every facility for carrying on
the government.
In regard to the calling al extra Gea.
sion, so far as the Senate WAS concerned,
1t was customary for an outgoing Presi.
dent TO call the Senate together, that be-
ing II continuous body, but he was in
doubt rs to his power TO call the next
House OF Representatives for an extra
session. This, however. he said, need
occasion no embarrassment. The acting
President could convene the Forty filth
Congress. The question Of the Presiden-
tial election might come up, and it might
be decided to hold the election eqrlier
than November next, rs provided by the
act of 1892. He suggested that the cleo
tlon might be fixed for June, and the 4th
of July the day of Inauguration OF the
President who should be chosen.
In these remarks it will be observed
that the President only discusses possibil-
tiles, based upon the election being un-
decided by the 4th of March next.
L. Q. w.
WAsnINGToN, Jan. 9.
A thorough inquiry by the agent of
the Associated Press tonight confirms
the statement that the action of the Cab
met to-day was negative and conservative.
No action will be taken regarding South
Carolina. Florida or Louisiana, unless
come overt act of disorder makes Federal
interference imperative. The recognition
of Hampton or Chamberlain in South
Carolina, Nichols or Packard in Louisi-
ana, Stenrns or Drew in Florida will be
avoided if possible The taxpayers have
the issue in their own hands. This is
positive.
The Cabinet meeting was the first that
has been held for two weeks. It's action
throughout was mainly OF n negative
character. The application Of the Re-
publican portion Of the Louisiana Legis-
lature was brought up, but it was the de-
cidcd opinion Of the Cabinet that the
troops already in Louisiana are sufficient
tn cope with any difficulties that may
arise which would probably demand mil
itp.y interference. The situation in
South Carolina and Florida was discussed,
but no action in the case of either was
deemed necessary. Secretary Fish pre-
sented some appeals from the Rio Grande,
but it was ayreed that the existing ordern
covered the cases.
The State, War and Navy Departments
are expected and instructed to act prompt.
iy should new exigenciea arise.
WAsHINGroN, January 8.
Mr. Lamar ii quoted IN follows: The
safety oi this country, and especially the
happiness and prosperity of the South,
depend on the strictest and most loval
| devotion to the Constitution. All the
disorders thut affect the country ut this
time are .he result of departures from the
fundamental law. All the dangers now
apprehcnded are the dangers which will
| spring alone from the violation of consti-
tutionnl methods. There ia no necessity
for any violation or for violence in order
to bring the government back to constitu-
tional procedure. 1t is only necessary to
concentrate the attention of the people
upon the violations already committed,
and those threatened, in order to exercise
the danger and difficulty. Indeed the
result OF secession has eliminated from
our system all resorts to extra constitu-
tional remedies, and happily in this
emergency, none are needed. Whether
the joint committee of the two House,
agree or not, the provisions of the consti-
tuition are adequate TO safe, satisfactory
and final solution of every question in.
volved in the present emergency. On
the l4th of February next the houses will
be bound, under the constitution, to meet
in the same chamber and perform the
duties and exercise the powers which the
constitution devolves upon them to eg-
anime and ascertain the result of the
election of President and Vice President.
Neither house can fefus, to perform these
duties without abnegating It's constitu-
tional power and violating its consti,u-
tional duty. In this august assemblnge.
it is the condition of our national life
that the duties imposed shall DO dis
charged in the spirit Of truth and patriot
ism, regardless of the consequences 70
party, bat profoundly anxious for those
that concern the whole country. IF,
howeser asfhe constitution contemplatea
in this, as we'll as in other cases, requiring
the cooperative action ofthe two houses,
they are unable to agree upon decision
whether either candidate has been elected,
J. must follow there can bs no constitu-
S,Onal ascertainment and Judgment pus
j Upon record, that any one has. received
the votes of majority of the Electors
! appointed. The efact il a failure fn
| elect. In such case the constitution il
clear. 1t devolves upon each of the
houses Immediately their respective du-
ties; one to elect the President, and the
other The Vice Prssid don't. set, the, con.
stitution be maintained iiiRi0lasss and
there needfhB ne q lfIsjsiilg coIlisious
and nc. .iles aity ipf eaosting TO force.
THItssfoRTAllrEBor THE souL.-
L IL 'rE1LN raNN