The Portland daily press., 1877-02-01
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION,
Justice Bradley the Fifth Justice-Th
mmission Organized.

Justice Bradley the Fifth Justice The
Commission Organized.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 31.-It is reported that
the electoral commission will not hear counsel
because they have not time to listen to long ar
guments.
Justice Bradley was this morning chosen the
fifth member of the judicial branch of the COM
mission.
A special despatch to the Boston Journal
says Judge Clifford was earnest in his efforts
to secure the selection of Judge Davis as the
fifth Judge, and urged that instead of Mr.. Da-
vs's election to the Senate disqualifying him,
it really made him the more eminently fit for
the position. He had been elected to the Sem
ate not as the choice of either the Republican
or Democratic parties, but as an independent
man upon whom the conservatism of both par
ties united. He was really the selection of the
independent members of the Illinois Legisla-
ture, and Democrats and moderate Republicans
voted for him because they knew him to be an
absolutely fair and impartial man, one who
would exercise his own judgment on all politi-
cal questions, but whose action on all questions
of national Importance would be that OF an in
dependent and honest man. Judge Jerry Black
was very earnest in his endeavors to have Judge
Davis appointed, and declared that his declina-
tion would be cause of regret for all the bal
ance of his life. 1t is very evident that the
democrats have counted on the casting vote of
Judge Davis.
The electoral commission assembled at noon
in the Supreme Court room, and was organized.
The special oath OF office was administered to
Justice Clifford by Mr.. Middleton, Clerk of the
Supreme Court, and Justice Clifford, who, by
the terms of the act is presiding, officer of the
commission, then administered the oath to the
other fourteen members. The oath Us to be FL
ed with the Secretary of State, and runs as fol-
lows:
do solemnly swear or affirm, as the case
may be, that will impartiay examine and consider
o
am member, and a true judgment give thereon,
agreeable to the constitution and the laws So help
me God.
James H. McHenry was then appointed tenn
porary clerk to the commission, and it was Or
dered that the proceedings, except those above
stated, shall be held confidential until other
wise ordered.
A Rush for Admission Tickets.
There was a large attendance of visitors at
the capital today from all parts of the country,
In anticipation of the counting of the electoral
vote tomorrow. Not few of them sought Of
the members tickets of admission to the galle-
ries, but as the number is necessarily limited
not one in ten Of the applications could be met
The reporters gallery will be crowded with ad-
ditional representatives of the press, thirty or
forty new tickets having been requested At
least 500 able bodied men were anxious appli-
cants today for positions of the fifty additional
policemen authorized to be appointed.
Speaker Randall having decided to appoint
two Democrats as tellers in counting the electo-
raj vote, the President pro tem of the Senate
will appoint two Republican telers on the part
of that body. The President pro tenn. desired
that one Democrat and one Republican be ap-
pointed from each House, but in this the Speak
er did not acquesce.
The Republican Counsel
The Republican National Committee TODAY
decided to engage as legal counsel before the
electoral commission William M, Evarts and E.
w. StoughtOn OF New York. and Stanley Mat
thews and S. S. Shellabarger of Ohio. All
these gentlemen are here and have entered upon
the preparation of their case except -Stou ghton,
who is expected tomorrow morning. They are
authorized to associate with themselves any
others they may desire who are familiar with
the Louisiana and Florida cases.
The Democratic Couusel.
The Democrats have as counsel Lyman Trum-
bull of Illinois. Matt 81. Carpenter of Wiscon-
sin, Jeremiah Black of Pennsylvania, and Ash
abel Green of New York. AS some comment
has been made on the small vote received in
Democratic caucus cast for Field as one of the
commission, it is proper to state Field was alb
sent from The caucus in consequence of sick
ness, but had he been present he would have
forbidden the use of his name in that connec.
ton BE had previously declined being can
didate, although there were indications that he
would have been unanimously elected. His de,
clination was on the ground of improperly. be
having taken an active part in the preparation
of the case which will come before the commits
sinn