Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-14
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, d. C., February 10Th 1871
MeSsrs. Editors The first decision Of the Flee
toral Commission has been rendered for Hayes
and Wheeler, and, as a consequence Republicans
are iubilant and the democrats feel correspond
ingly demoalized.
THE DEMOCRATIC CoUP D'ETAT
in the House, to-day, has caused some uneasiness
and universal excitement. Under the electoral
act the two houses separated to vote upon the de-
cision of the Commission in the case Of Florida
soon after they had been called together BY the
provisions of the bill they are required to recon-
vene at once. The House, however succeeded in
defeating the requirements of the bill by adjourn
ing until Monday. This act which was performed
by the democrats, under protest from the Repub-
lican side, gives serious indications of mischief,
and is, at least, proof of their decentralization
and grievous disappointment. 1t is quite certain
that the democrats are taken completely by sur
prise at the decision in the case Of Florida which
they have all along admitted was the strongest
case they had and it will take day or two for
them to recover their senses, and decide upon
their future action. A plan has already been
preached by outside parties which they may vet
seize upon rs the last resort, tits that should the
vote of Louisiana be counted for Hayes objections
Will be made to the count Of each succeeding
state, and as there are twenty-four states to be
counted after Louisiana, and assuming that the
latter case would occupy week, there would
main but seventeen days until the 4th of March,
and under an objection, after the houses separate
n recess would be taken until the following day
In this way time could be consumed as to leave
some states uncounted on the 4th. There would
be no election and the President of the Senate
would become the President OF the United States
until special election could be held in December
under the proclamation Of the Secretary Of State,
as provided by the constitution There is every
reason to expect some such chicanery on the part
Of the democracy, as they are desperate in their
assertions to prevent Hayes from becoming Pres-
dent, and prefer a new election even or a resort
to arms.
Looked at from an unprofessionable and non
political standpoint, the chances for Iiden are GER
tainly good when the Commission took up
the case.
JUDGE BRADLEY,
it is true, has so far caused much grief to the
democracy by voting against them And yet it is
far from certain that he will vote with the Repub-
licans on all important questions 1t is certain
that party claims will have but little influence
upon his action. He voted for the first order of
the Commission to the effect that no extraneous
evidence be received, except in the case of the
alleged ineligible eector, and against the Repub-
liclns on the resolution which followed to the eff
feet that the Commission would receive testimony
in the case Of Humphreys This would seem to
be one evidence of his intention to act in nom
partisan spirit, 1t is said that when the Republic
can State Committee of New Jersey made poll
teal assessment upon him last fall they received
in reply letter reminding them that he was not
in politics" and that he did not propose that
any one should gain a chance to say that he was
forgetful of the prophecies of his position
THE BELKNAP NoLLE PROS
The considerations which moved the President to
direct noHe proseqW in the of the United
States rs, ex-Secretary Beknap doubtless seemed
sufficient to him, from a personal point of view
The case is, however, a peculiar one in many re-
spects and under the circumstances it is regretted
by n large majority of people here that it could
not have gone to trial before a jury. Had YER
dict of d" not guilty been rendered in open court
the eX-Secretary would then have stood fairly
vindicated before the country at least in legal
point of view. This opportunity is now denied
him, and he is now doomed to rest under cloud
for the remainder of his life.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL GOSSIP
Considerable amusement has been created in
the city the past few days, by the suit for breach
of promise which has been brought against Sena-
tor Simon Cameron by a Mrs. Oliver, to recover
fifty thousand dollars The complainant is the
daughter OF a deceased naval officer, and the
widow of former officer in the United States
army who went South and served in the confeder-
ate army, She held place In the treasury de-
partment at one time, through the influence of the
venerable Senator, but is now out of office. The
Senator says the proceeding against him is, in his
belief matchmaking operation. lie is over
eighty years OF age and has been awidower about
two years.
A chair had to be made for the special use OF
Hon. Daniel D. Pratt, when he went rto the Sem
ate which has been unoccupied since his re-
tirement, owing to the want Of sufficient avoirdH-
pos among the senators Senator-eect Davis of
Illinois, will now find it very comfortable place
in which to rest els three hundred pounds weight
Mrs Portus Baxter and her daughter, the wife
Of Dr. Baxter, are sat home" to their friends ON
Saturdays, and last Saturday held large and
very agreeable reception
Senator and Mrs. Edmunds gave an elegant
party, on Friday evening, to a limited number Of
friends. Sol.