, 1877-01-27

plan is open to all the objections
which have been frequently set forth
in these columns. It imposes on
the judges of the supreme court
functions which they were never
intended to perform, and it relieves
the president of the Senate of duties
which the trainers of the constitu-
ton deliberately and distinctly i'm
posed ON him. It is merely q de-
} vice to stave off settlement of
questions which can and ought to
be decided at once, and it renders
possible the occurrence of a presi-
Dental interregnum which would
neither be creditable nor profitable
to the country.
NEW YORK, Jan. 19.---The 1ri-
bme's Washington special, describ-
ing the reading of the committees
plan, says that when the report had
been read through the secretary
said it was signed by members of
the committee, and read the names.
1t was found that Morton's name
was not there. OF the fourteen
members of the joint committee,
every one had signed except the In
diana Senator. All eyes were turned
towards him, but he offered no mi
nority report and said nothing.
Sargent, who came in after the bill
had been read, insisted on a second
reading. Morton stated this morn
ing, to one of the House members
of the committee, that although he
did not sign the report. he should
probably say nothing in the Senate
to oppose the passage of the bill.
He took strong grounds last session
against the constitutional power of
Congress to throw settlement of
disputed question growing out of
the Presidential elections into the
Supreme Court, or into any tribu-
nal outside of the two Houses.
In the House, Hnrd, Wallace,
Southard, Bell and others opposed
the bill; some saying it is an out
rage on the Democratic party; 9th
ers that it is entirely unconstitu
tional. Douglass of Virginia pro-
fanely says: Il will see it in nell
before I vote for it." WattersOn is
not pleased with it, but will not
make fight. Tarbox says no de-
partment of the government ca- alb
,rogate any of its proper functions
in favor of anybody. Il prefer
that Hayes should be counted IN.
and let the Republican party take
the responsibility of their fraudu-
lent course, than that Congress
should stultify itself by delegating
its powers to any one." Cox ele-
gantly says: Il want to let the mat
ter soak till morning before I ex-
press a decided opinion, for would
like to consider whether we can give
any of our powers to any other fell
lows, and who these fellows are"
Almost the universal belief in Wash
ington political circles tonight is
that the mittee's plan will be
adopted in both Houses by over
whelming majorities.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 90 This
morning the dead body of Charles
Collins, chief engineer of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern Bail
road, was found in his house with
the appearance Of having been life
less twenty-four hours. One revol-
yer was held fast in his hand, while
another revolver and razor lay near
him on the bed. He undoubtedly
committed suicide by shooting. 1t
is supposed it was on account off the
late accident at Ashtabula, which
made him deranged. His family
were absent at the time of the shoot
ng.
New YORK, Jan. 10. Gen. Dix
writes long letter to the Times Civ
ing history of the method of count
ing the electoral votes, and declar-
ing that any other way than that of
allowing the President pro tenn. to
count would be revolutionary.
| OMAHA, Jan. 18.-Alvin Saunders
was to-day elected U. S. Senator for
Nebraska on the third joint ballot,
receiving SO votes a full Republi-
can and Independent vote. Saun-
ders was the last Territorial Govern
or of Nebraska.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The Senate
claims committee have favorably
reported a bill authorizing Col. Ben
Holiday to bring suit in Court of
Claims for property used by troops,
depredations by Indians and dam
ages and expense incurred in chang