Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-02

OF tho Supreme Court az three CLOCK yester- |
day afternoon.
A communication from the two Houses of
Congress, in joiot session, was presented BY MIR.
Gorham, Secretary Of the Senate. and read as
follows
HALL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February !, 1877.
10 the President Of the Commission:
More than one return or paper purportlug
to be return or certificate Of electoral votes OF
the State oil Florida having been received and
this day opened in the presence oil the two
Houses of Congress, and objections thereto
having been made, the said returns, With all
accompanying papers, and also the oojectsons
thereto, are herewith submitted to the judy
mcut and decision of the commission, as pro-
vidcd BY law. r.. W. FERRY,
President of the Senate.
The Presiding Justice-lt is suggested, and
| think With proprety, that the doors may now
be opened and that proper persons be ad.
| mtted.
Mr.. Justice Bradley understand there are
three certificates from the State OF Florida that
have been sent to us. should think that the
| proper course would be 10 have these three
| certificates read, and then as each Is read let
| the parties be called upon 10 state whether
they are objected to AID who are the obj ectors.
Until We read these certificates or hear them
read we do not know what we have before us.
| After that it will BIZ time ~ take such other
order in regard to proceeding as may be ne
cessary.
Representative Payne-I move that the GER
tiicates with the papers be printed at as carly
an hour as possible.
The Presiding Justce-The motion before
tl..A kl1tt Al.
the case Of Florida be printed with the obJec
| tons thereto. II that is your pleasure you
will say aye quitting the question: 1t is
agreed 10. How soon can they be printed
Considerable discussion ensued as to the
printing of other papers accompanying the
certificates and objections. A motion TO this
effect was made by Representative Abbott, but
Withdrawn in order 10 give time to consider
the question as to whether all papers could
properly be printed with the certificates and
objections.
The Presiding JusLce.-Ths motion is with
drawn. 4 pause.) l am requested DOW to
call for the names OF counsel who appear in the
case On each side.
Representative Fied~-We have several
counsel on our side. We have Mr. O'Couer
Of New York, Judge Black Of Pennsylvania,
Judge Trumbull Of Illinois, MIR. Merrick Of
Washington, and Mr.. Green Of New Jersey.
The Presiding Justice -Couusel not exceed
ug two iu number on each side are allowed TO
participate III argument.
Representative Fled-We have not selected
these two. | only mentioned names to you III
answer TO questions: How many there arc
who are concerned IN the case? We shall al
range that matter IN The course OIL the evening.
The Presiding Justice. That will answer.
| bo al tho fbor dap
MIR. EVarS. As representing DIRECTORS to
certificates other than those that have been
represented in enumeration by DIR. Field, |
will state that MIR. Stoughtou, MIR. Stanley
Matthew'S MIR. Shellabarger and myself are ex-
pectcd to represent directors 10 some cases
which will appear, and l would ask the instruc-
ton Of the court, II it IS pertinent now to make
Inquiry, as to what is included in the phrase,
"on the merits Of any case presented to it, y
whether that means any issue joined 90 obIec-
tons to auy particular certificate, or whether
it includes all that arises 10 case OF ! particular
Statc2
The Presiding Justce.-l think counsel will
! have to Judge of that matter Tor themselves.
Unless they have some question to ask the
commission ii is hardly within the province Of
the presiding justice 10 determine that.
MIR. E1arts.-As | understand them, il the
commission please, that the designation of Two
counsel will be sufficiently early made when
the case Is up.
Senator Edmunds. That is merely for the
final argument.
! The Presiding Justice. After the objectors
have opened the case?
MIR. Evars.-So We understand.
Mr.. Justice Bradley sugges. to MIR.
EGars that probably the construction of that
would be the case on its merits; the priucl
pal question would be included 10 that term,
and all interlocutatory or other motions would
not be included 10 that phrase.
Senator Ednunds. covers the whole SUBJ
ject of particular State.
Senator Sargent, 10 reply to question Of the
commission as to which OF the DIRECTORS would
present the case, aside from counsel 90 confer.
cucc, it is determined that Dir. McCrary and
Mr.. Kasson will appear
Representative Garfe!d.--[ think there Was
one objection filed regarding which 20 action
has been taken, 40 objection | believe from
Senator Jones. l have heard the president Of
the commission make no alIusion to it. 10.
uuire whether there is any special hearing to
be had on that objection? think it was DIFF
fercnt from other objections which have been
filed. | refer to it because it makes distinct
case aud is different objection 10 its charac.
| ter from either of the other two that have been
referred to.
The Presiding Justioe,-Aly impression is
| Though do not make that decision IN behalf
of the comnissioD) that the several objections
TO returns from State constitute one case, and
two obje,tors will be heard upon one side and
two on the other, and after they shall have
been heard two counsel will be heard upon one
side aud two upon The other. Unless otherwise
advised By the commission that will be the rul-
ing ,,,.,
Representative Field. Will you allow me
| to say that perhaps there may be some misun-
derstaudiug in regard to that rule unless state
| to you precisely facts?
The Presiding Justice. Proceed, sir.
Representative Field.-There are objections
| TO the four votes Of Florida on each side; that
is to say, We object to the four votes mentioned
in the first returns.
Senator Edmunds. Which are they