The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-01-13
VOL. 9.
Ghe Bulletin.
COUNTING TssE VOTE.

The special committee appointed toex
smine into the powers, privileges and
duties Of the house OF representatives in
counting the electoral votes for presiden,
and vice-president, have held their meet
ngs. At the second meeting the follow.
ing propositions were submitted by Mr.
Tucker, OF Virginia:
!. The power 10 count the electoral
vote is not conferred by the constitution
on the president OF the senate.
2. The power TO count the electoral
! vote is conferred by the constitution on
! the senate and house Of representatives
3. In the execution Of the power Ia
! count the electoral votes, the house OF
J Representatives is at least coordinate
! and equal - the senate.
4. II ~" counting OF the electoral
votes. no vote can be counted against the
/ judgment and assent Of the house 81 rep.
rescnta,lNcs.
IN the DISCUSSION OF these propositions.
two OF tie Republican members. Dir.
Burciiard. Of Illinois, and Mr.. McDill, OF
Iowa. declared their belief that the pre.i-
dent Of the senate has the right to count
the electoral vote. Mr Scelye, Republl.
can, objected to This, expressing tn.
opinion that the committee were ap-
pointed TO inquire into the functions OF
the house and not 10 discuss those of the
president OF the senate. lie submitted
the following resolutions
RssoIred, That II Il the privilege OF the
oi the house OF representatives TO attend
WIN the senate when the electoral votes
are opener, 10 appoint teliers, who, ia
connection with the tellers appu!uted bv
The senate, shall register and compute
the vote, and 10 object for any reason
which 1t deems proper 10 the reception
OF any electoral yot. that il is the power
oi The house OF representatives with the
concurrence OF the senate TO reject auy
electoral vote which may be contrary 10
law that /; l. the duty OF the house Of
representatives 10 accept every properly
certified electoral vote which the two
houses do notagree 70 II ject as contrary 10
law that the privilege. the powers, and
the duties OF the house OF Representatives
IN counting the votes for president and
vlce-president OF the United States are
40 more aud no les. than those OF the
senate.
On the vote upon these propositions
the committee stood tour Democrat. to
three Republicans. On Mr.. fuckers
resolutions, the two first received four to
three vote. the third seven, and the last
one vii! receive the attention OF the com.
mIt.ee a; its next meeting, aud Will
doubtless be adopted by a party vote.
-
i few days ago, Republican indIgna-
ton wa boiling over in consequence OF
certain expressions said 10 have been Ut
tered by Sir. Justice Field OF the supreme
court, at dinner party ia Washington
Il seems that Mr.. Field did not say that
he believed that Mr.. Tilden had been
ialrIy elected but that when the subject
OF the presidential election
was incidentally referred to,
"the answer was promptly made
that II wa, hoped the good
sense and patriotism OF the American
people would be sufficient to provide
lair count aud means OF adjustment sat
isiactory 10 the country This was con-
strued a. indicating leaning on the part
ut MIR. Field toward the Democratic side
al the presidential controversy. True it
is Thai every Republican, not excluding
Mr.. Conkling or Mr.. Blaine himself, who
il suspected vi having even intimated his
desire for "A "falr count becomes an OBJ
ioct OF wstchiulne,. on the part OF the
party leaders, and is covertly
regarded a All enemy IN the camp. ANA
the fact is a strong comm entary on the
attitude OF the Republican party in the
contest now agitating the country