Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-23

IS to be considered but the bare naked fact
ol Inc certificate based upon the forgery and
chieanery Of the returning board, which
returned the fact that 10 400 democratic
votes were not counted.
Mr.. Kelley declared the democratic can
vass In Louisiana was vast series Of or
ganiZed crime and spoke of the outrages on
Henry and Eliza PinkstOn. He argued 10
conclusion that the decision OF the commits
sion was in accordance with the cOnstitu-
ton, law and precedents. and would meet
the approval of every well-instructed
LAWYER
Mr.. Pratt defended the actiO- of the cleo
tOral commission, and repealed the charge
Of fraud and corruption made against the
returning board and the republican party.
Mr.. Wood closed the debate and said the
commission was created to impartislly in
vestigatc and determine the questions at
issue, and having refused to consider the
most important of them. it had nullifed the
objects of its creation, and under these cir
cumstances he doubted whether either
House is bound to abide by its action but
he still hoped neither would refuse to sub
nit. The patriotism OF the House in sub
hitting to arbitration had been treacherous-
ly rewarded by an act of public infamy as
criminal in character as it would be far
reaching and universal in its effects. lie
protested against 1t and denounced the
treachery practieed. In conclusion he said,
the sll-ruling influence of party over
shadows everything everywhere, at all
times and under all circumstances. God
help our cOuntry. God preserve our institu-
tlOns, and God protect what is left of the
blessed inheritance derived from the wisdom
and virtues of our foreiathers.
PROCEEDINGS IN JOINT CONVENTION TUE
COUNT GOES ON TO MICHIGAN.
An lbs the Senate appeared in the hall
of the House. The presiding officer having
to ken the Speakers chair, called tha meet
ing to order, and stated that the two
Houses acting separately had considered
and decided the objections to the certifi-
Gates from the State'of Louisiana and the ac
ton OF each House would now be read.
This having been done, the presiding officer
announced that the two Houses not having
decided otherwise, the decision Of the com
mission would stand in force and he direct
ed the tellers to declare the vote Of of Louis
lana. Mr.. Allison thereupon announced
that Louisiana had given eight votes for
Hayes and Wheeler. There was no mani
festation of any Kind at the announcement.
and the opening and counting Of the certif
icates proceeded in alphabetical order.
Maine giving seven votes for HAYES and
Wheeler. Maryland eight votes for Tilden
and Hendricks and Massachusetts, thirteen
votes for Hayes and Wheeler. When the
certificate from Michigan was read, having
its eleven votes for Hayes and Wheeler, Mr..
Tucker presented an objection to counting
the vote of Daniel l.. Crossman, one Of the
electors, declaring that Benton IIanchett
having been elected one of the electors for
Michigan, and having held. and still hold
ing the Office of United States Commits
sioner, had absented himself from the meet
ing of electors on the 9th of Deem
Der, and that his place had been
filled by other electors. The objection claims
the fact that Hanchett absenting himself
from the meeting. did not create vacancy,
and therefore that said Crossmsn had not
been duly appointed eector The objection
also submits the testimony OF Benton
Hanchett before the committee on priyi-
leges, In which he states he has never rs-
signed his office as United States Commits
sioner, and that he absented himself for
reason from the meeting of the electors. The
objection is signed by Senators Norwood,
Wallace, Barnam and Hereford, and BY
Representatives A. S. Williams, Tucker.
Vance. McMahon, Rice. Sparks. Marsh,
Savage and Hurd.
No further objection being offered, the
Senate withdrew to allow separate action.
Mr.. Southland then moved recess till
10 tomorrow. Hale made the point that a
recess is not now in order. The Speaker
oyer-ruled the point and after discussion
the motion was rejected 1876 to 81.
Mr.. Tucker then offered a resolution de-
claring that Crossman had not been ap-
pointed elector by Michigan as the legisla-
ture directed, and that his vote as elector
shall not be counted.
After considerable debate, Mr. jerks
offered the following substitute for lockers
amendment:
Whereas, The fact has been established,
that 1t is about IL years since the alleged
Ineligible elector exercised any functions of
Office OF United States commissioner, and 1t
is not sufficiently proven that at the time of
his appointment he was an officer of the
United States, therefore
Resolved, That the vote objected to be
counted.
The substitute was agreed to without
division and the Senate IVES thereupon
notified of the action of the House and of
Its readiness to meet the Senate in joint
convention.
ACTION or TIE SENATE IN TEE MICHIGAN CASE.
Debate upon the eligibility of Crossman,
the Michigan elector was carried on under
the 10 minute rule. MessrI. Bayard,
Stevenson. Maxey and other democrats
argued that the evidence OF disqualification
was not sufficient and would therefore favor
counting the vote.
Mr.. Allison offered a resolution to the
effect that the objection to the vote OF Cross
man is not good in law and not sustained
by any lawful evidence and that the vote
be counted with other votes of electors of
the state.
Mr.. Whyte submitted the following sub
stitute:
1t is ordered that. while it is the sense of
the Senate that no senator or representative,
or person holding Office of trust or profit
under the United States shall be appointed
elector, and that this provision Of the con-
sttution shall be carried out in its whole |
spirit into rigid execution, yet that the |
proof Is not such as to justify the exclu- |
SION OF the vote of Crossman, one of the |
electors of Michigan, and that the vote
should be counted.
Whites substitute was rejected BY q strict |
'Nhe1 - W Luz tUen
being on Allison's resolution, Mcdonald |
moved to amend so as to read
Resolved. That the objection made to the
vote OF Crossman Is not sustained by lawful |
evidence"
Rejected-Yeas 70. nays 3s-a strict party
vote.
Allison's resolution was then unanimously
agreed to. The House was notified that the
Senate was ready to resume the count, and
'eply being received announcing the action
u that body, the Senate proceeded to the
House.
IN JOINT ASSEMBLY AGAIN.
At 500 the senator's again entered the
nal, and presiding officer took the chair
md the joint convention resumed its ses-
Ion. The concurrent action of each House
laving oyer-ruled the objection in the case of
ne Of the Michigan electors. the votes
I the state were announced as cast for
Hayes and Wheeler. Then followed the
tato OF Minnesota, with FIVE votes for
iayes and Wheeler; Mississippi with eight
otes for Tilden and Hendricks Nebraska
nth three votes for Hayes and Wheeler