New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-10
A REVIEW OF THE DAY.
THE DECISION.

WASHINGTON Feb. 9.-As soon as the Commission
met to-day the question of the eligibility of Hunph-
mes was taken up. One of the Judges tremarked
that he thought il waste OF time to go on WIN
discussion. Ii was apparent from the debate III
the last private session that of the Commission
were convinced that they had no power to take up
the question of eligibility; and lnasmuch as TINS
question had been raised by Justice Bradley, the
shortest way to dispose of it would be for him to in
dictate his views on the question:. Justice Bradley,
however said that he preferred 10 hear further argu-
nent on both sides from members of the Commits
sion. so the debate was reopened and conducted
for some time on the eligibility question only. Mr.
Rayarl made a speech an hour and half long, ana
other Commissioners occupied the floor for shorter
periods. At the conclusion Justice Bradley gave his
opinion.
Neither the Democratic nor the Republican Com
m:ssioners are willing TO state the substance OF
Justice Bradleys views. Some of the latter go so
far as TO say that they understood them they COW
cred all possible questions of eligibility that can DE
raised in the cases of electors in other States and
took the broad ground that however Ineligible an
eector might have been be voted for, if his vote
was received by the Electoral College ii could not
he questioned bv Congress. The Democrats while
admitting that there was comfort for them IN
Justice Bradley's opinion do not think that IL
wholly precludes them from raising an issue against
tho two Louisiana electors. or from making a final
stand on the Oregon case. 1t is plain from their
way of talking, however, that they have almost no
hone Of success IN either direction, and that they
look upon whole eligibility question as likely to
be frlitless of results favorable TO Mr.. lllden'
AT the close of the discussion Mr.. Thurman offered
resolution 20 the effect that there was no evidence
that HUMPHREYS was a shipping commissioner on the
eth of November. This objected TO Oh the
ground that il might be supposed TO IMPLY an opln-
Ion that if he had been in Office that day his vote
vonld not have been eligible. Gen Garfield offered
resolution stating that the four persons named III
the Hayes certificates giving their names. were the
electors Of the state of Florida under the ConStlu
ton Of the United States and that the certificate de-
ca1lng them be such electors was valid, and that
tbcr votes should be counted. Some of the COM
mssiouers wanted a declaration to the effect that
whether Humphries was officer or not his vote
was valid. but they gaveway i'll favor Of Cen Gar
fields resolution. Mr.. HUuton offered 4 substitute
striking out the names of the HAYES electors and in
sorting those Of the Tden electors. This was lost
Jv strict party vote-Yeas, :; Nays, 5. Afterward
Cen GaTtields resolution was passed by like vote
Of Yeas. ) Nays, 7. motion was then agreed
u that Mr. Edmunds and Justices Bradley ana
Miller should be appointed a committee to prepare
form of report with the reasons sustaining IL, ana
the Commission thcrcupon at o'clock took a recess
for hour. Tn TcISSt'nhl!lG lnc Cpl-4AAbtC e"'-
mitted draft OF letter for Presiding Justice Cliff
ford TO sign transmitting the decree 10 the President
of the Senate This was duly signed by Justice
CIhonl A second letter also signed, informing
the Sneaker Of the House of the finding of the Co
mission and Of the fact that had been transmitted
L. the President of the Senate. An order was chen
adopted directing all the papers inthe Florida case
10 be returned to the President of the Senate.
The report of the committee 20 accompany the
verdict states first, that the Commission having eX-
amined all the certificates and papers submitted ana
the objections Of the objcctOrs nd ana declare that
tlcv. representing the powers of Congress, have no
authority to hear evidence aliunde to the certificate
Of the Governor OF the State. made IN accordance
with the determination Of the Board of State Can
vassels as 10 who is elected. Second that the Coir-
mission could not consider as evidence any action
Of the state Legislature courts, taken after the
day On which tie vote of the electors was gwen, IN
reference to the appointment OF such electors.
Third. the committee find no evidence that Hum
pines was a shipping commissioner on the Hh q
November, waving. at the same time, all question
Of tie effect of the ineligibility if proved, on the
validity Of his vote.
protest against counting the vote OF Florlda III
accordance with the verdict signed by six Senators
and six Representatives all Democrats has been
prepared Tonight. and will be submitted 10 the
Florida for Hayes is signed by the eight Counn's-
soners who voted for it, adoption, and has leen
sealed and transmitted 10 the President Of the son
a,e. No minority report will be made, because no
provision is made III tie law for the TRANSMISSION 10
the TWO houses Of any other information touching
the proceedings Of the Commission, except rs
report AID the reasons therefor. All that can
be done is to present the protest referred TO-
HE course Of proceedings Tomorrow Will he these
The Houses will meet III joint convention at the
hour t. be fixed Oh assembling III the morning lAe
report Of the Commission will be announced 10 the
convention The Houses viii then separate, and
each VIII have two Hours for debate. From the
temper Of the Democrats Tonight there viii be
sOr.-y time al each end of the Capitol. The cal!
FOL the Yeas aud NAYS in the House will occupy
from half 70 three-guarters' of an hour. So that
about three hours after the convention assemblies
II viii be ready TO proceed with the count of the
eta RS next after Florida.
Many signs were visible among the Democrats to-
day Of desire to postpone the report of the Eec-
torsi Commission to a. late an hour possible III
order that certain court records might be received
non Illinois TOUCHING the inelgibility of one Of the
Electors Of that State named Chsffee 1t seems that
Tins man held tine office Of u. s. Commissioner IN the
Southern District Of Illinois on the day of the last
election, and according 10 current report still con-
hhied 10 office Oh tie day on which the Electoral Col
hge met. II doubtful if ne has resigned 10 this
day. This fact was not known till a few days ago.
and certified copies Of papers LII the court showing
these facts were at once telegraphed for They can
bot mach Washington until late tomorrow, and II
believed that some Of the Democrats desire 20 OBJ
stfuct the proceedings of the Joint Convention ia
order that these papers may be received and lie Used