The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-02-03

Mr.. Knott DCm.), of Kentucky, chairman Of
Tho committee, addressed the House In support
Of the principles Gnunciatctl In the resolutions,
concluding with these worlds;
Relieving that this lIOnsc has high power
aud solemn duty to perform In regard IL
counting tho electoral votes for President and
fIre-rrcsilcnt, in my humble Judgment, any
attempt OH the part Of any men or body OF men,
executive, Legislative or ministerial, 10 cOerrC
this House to count vote which In Is jndS-
ment Is invalid or void, or to cocrcc this House
to throw ont vote which, In Its Judgment, Ia
legal and valid, or 10 Interfere IN any manner
whatever with Tic peaceful discharge OF itl
constitutional functions In this high regard,
would 10 All utter SubverSiOn Of our con!tttll-
tinnal government, and, II accompanied by
armed aud organized force, would be TREASON 10
the United States Of Ancrira.
Mr.. Nnrclnnl (lsOp.), OF Illinois, member
Of the committee, offered. on behalf OF tho four
Republican members Of the committee, The fol-
lowing IN substitute for the resolutions By the
committee !:
rlrst-1hAt It IL the power and duty Of the
IlOusc, coufOrlnably with the Senate, TO provide
by Inv or ether constitutional method, mode
for fairly and truly aSccrtaining, and properly
counting the electoral vote Of each State, 40 az
10 give effect 10 tho choice Of each State IN the
election OF President and vice-PrcSdent.
SccOnd-That In the absence Of Legislative
provision on the subject. or authoritative dirce'
lion from the Senate and House Of represents
tivca, tho president Of tho Senate, upon opening
the certificates, declares and counts the elccto.
raj votes for President and V!ce-PrcshleMt Of
the United States
Nrr. Hunter Ocni.), of Virginia, from the
Judiciary committee reported q resolution dis
charging VIM. orion, president Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, from the custody Of
tho scrgeant-at-arMs. Adopted.
Mr., Ellis Dcm.), Of Louisiana, offered a
resolution calling on the President for Informs
ton III regard 10 tho rival governments in
LouisiAna. Referred.
Two Of the members Of the Louisiana return
Ing board, J. Madison Wells and Thomas @.
anderson, were brought before the bar Of the
House to answer to tic charge Of contempt.
They asked for and were granted further time.
AlrsSrS. Willis and Tarlox expressed their
hostility to the Electoral bill, md Mr.. Chittc-
ten, Of New York, followed with q speech In lis
defense. In tue course Of Iis ronlnrliS lo said
that hG had Aaccrtained that the House colt
mined only nlnety-olIo members who werc not
LAWYERS. lfe was, he Sail, one Of the ninety-one
IA lnyman-and willie lie had great respect for
the Constitution and listened usually with great
interest to the discussion OF very nice md fine
Constitutional points ly tho eminent legal
talent Of tho lIonSo, III this case lIc was mere
laynlan, having tho interests and prosperity Of
the country nj heart, wishing TO Eco confidence
md prosperity restored, md great calamities
avGrtod begged them moi TO dwell too long
on those rccollditc ncctles Of law In which they
naturally delighted, but to sct tho country Mt
ease by passing the Electoral bill.