The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-19

WASHINGTON, FEB. 1.-THE Democrat
ic Senators and Representatives were in
cancus tonight, Representative Clymer
presiding.
The following resolution was offered
by Mr.. Walling, but received only thir.
teen votes:
"RcSOlred, That in view Of the fact that
the so.called Electoral Commission have
refused TO receive evidence of frauds
charged in the recent elections, or ineligi.
bility Of the Electors, it is our duty, as
representatives. ofthe people, to do no fur
ther legislation recognizing said Com
m:ssion, or meet in joint session to fur
ther count the Electoral vote under its
decision"
Mr.. Cochrane offered n preamble and
resolution substantially as follows:
"WHEEEAs, The Electoral Commission
was created in good faith with view to
the examination OF the evidence and all
questions which pertain to the disputed
votes Of Florida, Louisiana and Oregon;
and
"WHEREAs, The said Commission, in
disregard Of their oaths, fraudulently re-
fused to obey the law and the will Of the
people by defeating said examination;
therefore
ReSolred, That it is the duty OF Con-
gress, which it owes TO the Democratic
party and the American people, TO defeat
the fraudulent acts Of said Commission
by all means known to the Constitution
and laws, 10 the end that all possible de-
lays may be interposed, dilatory motions
made and objections interposed to the
votes OF every State yet to be counted,
with view Of multiplying the issues and
thereby defeating the Inauguration Of a
usurper.
Mr.. Reagan offered the following res
olution us a substitute:
RtSOlued, That the count OF the Elec-
toral vote shall proceed without dilatory
opposition to the orderly execution Of
the act Of Congress creating the Elector-
al Commission, whose decisions shall be
received and acted upon in accordance
with the provisions OF said law.
A long and animated debate ensued.
On one side il was contended that the
conception Of a tribunal 10 adjust the
controverted questions was the sublime
act of statemanship, freighted with the
hopes and wishes Of the Nation, but the
result was disappointment, mixed with
grief and misfortune. 1t would, how
ever, be injurious to the Democratic
party, which so strongly supported the
Electoral Bill, if they did not now abide
by the result in good faith.
On the other side it was urged that it
would be better to have an interregnum,
and for the presiding officer Of the Senate
to act as President until there could be a
new election, rather than submit to
fraud, which should be defeated by all
the means known to the constitution and
the rules Of the House.
Among those who advocated Cochrane's 8
proposition were Thompson, Southard,
Hurd and Lynde, and among those who
opposed it were Brown OF Kentucky,
Reagan, Singleton, Hill, Bayard and
Herman.
Mr.. Bright offered the following amend
meRt to Reagan's resolution:
"But this resolution is accompanied
with the solemn and earnest protest OF
the Democratic party against the gros
and shameless violations OF law. Justice
and truth contained in the decisions 0 I
the majority who signed the same in the
cases OF Florida and Louisiana"
The resolution Of Mr.. Reagan, as
amended by Mr.. Bright, the whole being
n substitute for Mr.. Cochrane's PROPOSE.
tion, was adopted by vote ot-yeas 90,
nays 40.
Mr.. Field offered resolution for the
appointment Of committee Of five to in.
quire whether 1t would be expedient to
withhold the appropriations for the sup.
port Of the army.
Mr.. Willis moved to lay the resolution
on the table, saying to withhold such sup.
plies would be revolutionary; the effect
will be to alarm the country. Therefore
he should oppose any such legislation to
the bitter end.
Mr.. Field withdrew his resolution, and
Messrs. Field and Tucker suggested that
there be an adjourned meeting Of the eau.
Gus, but this was objected to, and an ad.
jOurnment took place.