The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-02-10

Proceedings Of the Joint Convention
and Joint High Commission.
FIRST DAY.


THE JOINT CONVENTION.
WASHINGTON, February 1.-At two minutes past
O'Clock Speaker Randall announced the arrival OF
the Senate, and the members of the house, at the
Speakers tap, arose and remained standing while
the Senate preceded by its officers, fled down the
main aisle and took seats in the first four rows on
the Democratic side of the chamber. The President
of the Senate took chair, having the Speaker on
his right. When senators and members were seited
the President of the Senate said: "The Joint Con-
venion OF the two houses OF Congress for counting
votes for Presidenl and vice-president will now
come to order" Perfect silence followed, and the
President OF the Senate continued: SIN obedle nee
to the constitution the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatvs have met to be present at the opening of
certificates and counting and declaring OF tn" re-
suits OF the electoral votes for the office OF Plesi-
dent and V1cepresidcnt of the United States for the
term OF four years, commencing on the fourth
day Of March next In compliance ith
now proceed in The presence OF the two
houses to open all certificates of The several sites
and in their alphabetical order beginning n
box in which the certificates were placed
was carried IN by Mr.. Bassett, assistant
doorkeeper of the Senate, and placed ON the desk
before the President o. the Senate, who opened it,
and took from 1t a certificate from the state of
Alabama which showed that Samuel j. Tilden and
Thomas A. Hendricks had received ten electoral
votes. Then followed: Arkansas, six votes tor
Tiden and Hendricks; California, six votes for
Hayes and Wheeler; Colorado three votes for Hayes
and Wheeler; Connecticut, six votes for Tilder and
Hendricks; Delaware, three votes for Tilden and
Hendricks. When Florida was reached, cei tif-
cate was read showing four votes for Hayes and
Wheeler. Also another certificate showing four
votes for Tilden and Hendricks. Then the presid-
ing officer handed down to the teller still another
certificate received through messenger the 3lst of
January, and corresponding to the one received by
mail the 18th of January. This third is authcnti-
cation of the act of the electors who voted for Tden
| and Hendricks, and is made by Governor Drew.
Objections to the first certificate filed by Sem
ators Jones, of Florida, Casper Mcdonald of Indi-
ana, and by Representatives Field, Tucker, jerks
and Springer. The paper asserts that the persons
Pierce, Humphreys Holden and Young, assuming
to act Presidential electors, were duly APP
| pointed by the state of Florida or IN any manueI
whatever; that the other four persons had been
elected, and had an irrevocable title to the office
that the certificate of election of the first four per
| sons was untruly and corruptly procured, ano
| made in pursuance of conspiracy between then
| and NJ L. Stearns, late governor that they were
usurpers, and that their acts were Illegal null ant
| and void. Further objections being called for
Senator Sargent sent up to the clerks desk, be
half of himself and Senators Conover
Sherman and Teller, and of Representa-
tives Woodburn, Dunnell. Kasson and Nc
Crazy three sets Of objections to the votes cast by
Call, Hinton, Outlook and Young, Democratic cleo
tors, on the ground that the papers not authen
ticated as required by the Constitution and laws
Senator Jones, of Florida, made objection specially
| to Humphreys, as holding an Office of trust an(
profit under the United States. Mr.. Kasson mad
additional objection to the third set of certificates
because they were not authenticated by the person
who held the Office of Governor at the time tn
functions Of electors were exercised. The presid
ing officer then asked whether there were any fur
ther objections to counting the vote of Florida
After pause, there beng none, the certificates
papers, together with other papers accompany in
the same as well as objections presented wer
transmitted to the electoral commissioners 70
judgment and decision The Senate then withdre'
| to its chamber, 80 that the house could separated
determine objections.
THE COMMISSION.
a.
provisions of the electoral act to hear and decid
all matters in dispute affecting the vote for Pres
dent and Vice President, met at three O'Clock to
day, in the room of the. Supreme Court, at th
Capitol. Communication from the two House
of Congress, in joint session, was presented by MI
Gorham, Secretary of the Senate, and read, show
ing that more than one return or paper purportin
to be return certificate OF electoral votes OF tt
State of florida having been received, and this da
opened in presence OF the two Houses of Cong es
and objections thereto having been made, sal
returns, with all accompanying papers, and also oil
jectons thereto, herewith submitted to the JUDI
ment and decision of the Comm issioners, Pre-
vided by law. debate then had as to til
feasibility of printing all the papers in the case
order 60 economic time, which ended without an
, definite conclusion being reached. The presidin
justice stated hot bat two DIRECTORS in each certif
cate could represent their cases to the tribunal an
requested that this fact be made known to til
joint convention in order that such persons migf
be designated The presiding judge then called fo
the names of council who would appear in the cas-
} Mr.. Charles O'Connor, of New York, Judge Blacl
of Pennsylvania, Judge Trumbull, of Illinois, Nj
Merrick, of Washington, and Mr.. Grier, of Ne
Jersey, were enumerated as counsel on the Demo
cratic side and Mr.. Steughton, Stanley ma
thews and VIM. NJ. Evarts in beha
of the Republicans. The judge the
stated that counsel, not exceeding two in numbe
on each side, allowed to participate in argument
In reply to the question of the Commission as I
which of objectoIs would present the case asid
from counsel, on conference it was determined tina
Mr.. M'Crary and Mr.. Kasson would appear. Afte
some further debate on general matters motion
was put and carried that the public sittings of tn
commission adjourn urtil 1890 to morrow. Tn
| room having been cleared, the Commission re
manned for consultation, and after some time spen
in elaboration adjourned until tomorrow mornin
at 10 O'Clock.
SECOND DAY.
THE COMMISSION.
! WASHINGTON, February 2.-The cleo
toral commission met at 1920 O'Clock. The pre-
siding officer said the question had been asked yes
terday, g What is the case?" to which he replied
"It consists of three certificates, with the accom-
panying papers and the objection to The same. H
would state that the two DIRECTORS on eacl
side would be allowed to speak on the opening o
the case. Those represeI ting obJe ctlon numbe
one, which was presented by Field, would speal
first and under the fourth rDle would be allowed
two hours to state the case and argue in support
the objection. Field asked whether after theobject
orsl had spoken, and the opening argument wal
made any reply would be allowed. Judge Clifford
stated that the rules made no provision tor reply
Field then opened the argument as an obJecter II
the case of Florida, and argued in favor Of goint
behind the face of the returns, on the ground tina
If this could not be done, the American people
would be in position of standing peweress IN ting
face of a gigantic fraud. He was followed
by Representative Tucker, another oil
. the directors on the same side OF the case
At the conclusion of Mr.. fuckers argument, Mr.
Kasson addressed the Commission. He argued al
great length against the power Of the commission
to 90 behind the returns. Mr. McCreary followed
with an argument in the same line. The presiding
Justice inquired whether counsel proposed to onel
evidence before proceeding to argument. Mr.
| O'Conor replied that he expected to offer evidence
and MT Eyarts said he had no evidence to offer I'M
less evidence was admitted against his side, Whlcf
he would have to meet. The presiding justice ASK
ed Mr. Eyarts whether if the Commission decide
! to receive evidence, he would require to meet II
and Mr. Evarts answered in the affirmative. Mr.
Thurman suggested that there must pe si sa
many facts as to which counsel upon both side
could agree, not as to whether proof OF them !
admissible but as to the existence Of the facts.
counsel could agree far as they could IN respec
to facts of which there was possible doaD'