The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-13

LOUISIANA VOTE COMMITS
SION TO HEAR ARGUMENT To-DAY-Eo
OBJECTION MADE BY THE DEMOCRATS TO
THE ILLINOIS voTE-HEwlTT AND OTHER
PROMINENT DEMOCRATS INSIST THAT
THE ELECTORAL ACT MUST DE CARRIED
| UUTlN GOOD FAlTtI.-A ROPE THAT H0AR
AND EDMUSDs WILL VOTE TO THROW
OUT LOUISIANA IF NOT COUNT IT FOR
TILDEE, &C., &C.
REPUBLICANS PUZZLED AT THE COURSE OF THE
DEMOCRATS.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February 12.-Republicans
have been puzzled at the course Of the
Democrats III taking a recess from Saturday
until to-day, and have IN vain cast about for
a reason. Their general conclusion has
been that the Democrats intended to defeat
the completion Of the count by dilatory pro-
ceedings. The mob on both sides Is de-
moraliZed by the result Of the Florida case,
the one side being overioyed and the other
utterly discouraged. But the leaders Of
both parties keep their sclf-possession, and
no policy to be pursued after giving the
Commission another opportunity to make
its record Tor fairness or partisanship has
been agreed upon. The Democrats concede
the impolicy OF delaying the count, at least
until after Louisiana IL disposed Of; but
they have seriously discussed, and are fear
fully divided, as to what shall be done IL the
Commission decides Louisiana hy party
vote.
Mr.. Hewitt and many OF the moro promi-
| nent Democrats insist that
THE ELECTORAL ACT MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN
Goop PATH,
whatever he the result, and the correction
OF unfairness OF decisions OF the Commits
sion be left TO time and the good sense OF
the country. 1t is fact important to be
remembered that either party has the power
to defeat the completion of the count by
dilatory proceedings, and il such proceed
ings be prematurely inauguratcd the prece-
dent thus set may be dsagreeably brought
to bear upon its originators.
There are strong hopes that IIoar and
Edmunds will vote to exclude the electoral
that they be counted for Tilden.
| OF course the House was crowded to-day
in anticipation OF the debate upon the de-
cision OF the Commission. Morton, Payne,
IIunton, Hoar, and Garfield, OF the Com
mission, and q dozen senator's were present
during the discussion.
| VARIOUS PEOPosITI oSS---AN INTERESTING
DEBATE.
AT hali-past 10 Mr.. Field, in order that
the subject should come up in due form,
moved that the count should not proceed in
accordance with the decision OF the Com
mission in the case OF Florida, and that the
four votes OF that State shall be counted iol
Tilden and Hendricks.
Mr.. Hale proposed amendments proyid-
ing that the count should proceed in con-
! iormity to the decision of the Commission.
| Mir. Knott proposed substitute, re-
hearsing the powers conferred upon the
| Commission by the electoral act, their reso-
! luton to consider only evidence presented
| in the record as laid before them by the
president OF the Senate, and the fact that
they subsequently ignored the greater part
| OF that evidence; and that the case OF
| Florida should be returned to the Commits
sion for review and to explain the incon-
sistencies of their decision, and that In the
mean time the votes Of Florida shall not be
counted.
Mr. Hale raised the point Of order that
Knots proposition involved delay, which
he thought was in express contravention OF
the terms of the electoral act.
Mr. Wood said he would have preferred
that the discussion should have proceeded
solely upon the resolution OF Mr.. Field and
its negative submitted by Mr.. Hale, but he
thought Mr.. Knott had the right to express
his views, and nobody on the other side OF
the House had right to say the Democrats
desired to delay. He believed the provisions
of the act should be carried out IN good
faith, but neither house had surrendered its
right of expression Of opinions or right to
| dissent.
TIE QUESTION SETTLED.
| After further discussion by Banks, Burch'
ard. and Knott, the Speaker ruled thut
knott's amendment was not out OF order
because in conflict with the electoral act,
| 1,,E roithnr borco ontipp Spporotaly had