The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-11
Washington News and Gossip.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 81.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 81.
In an interview to-day, the President
expressed himself atlength upon some of
the aspects of the Presidential complica-
tions. He thought the settlement of the
question might be postponed till the 4th
of March, when his power and authority
would cease. He said that the law and
the precedents gave the President of the
Senate the right to open the certificates
and count the electoral votes, but they
also established the power of either house
to object to the vote of State. One or
the other of the two houses, he thought.
would early fall into making objections
to the count of some one OF the States,
and when this was once begun, it would
be difficult to say where it would end.
Three weeks might thus be consumed
before decision wnul6 be reached. Ac.
cnrding to the constitution and the act OF
1871, he held that the President OF the
Senate would then become the acting
President of the United States, and he
would be sworn in as such. His own
powers would then cease. The powers of
the members of the Cabinet would con-
tinue uninterrupted. The subject had
been examined by his Judicial advisers,
aud he was of the opinion that the Cabi-
net all held over until the appointment
of their successors, except t''r Postmaster
General, whose functions were limited to
thirty days after the outgoing of Presi.
dent. Thus, the President of the Senate
would have every facility for carrying on
the government.
In regard to the calling al extra ses-
sion, so far as the Senate was concerned,
it was customary for an outgoing Presi-
dent to call the Senate together, that be-
ing a continuous body, but he was in
doubt as to his power to call the next
House of Representatives for an extra
session. This, however, he said, need
occasion no embarrassment. The acting
President could convene the Forty-fifth
Congress. The question of the Presiden-
tial election might come up, and it MIG ght
be decided to hold the election earlier
than November next, rs provided by the
act of 1892. He suggested that the cleo
ton might be fixed for June, and the 4th
of July the day of Inauguration of the
President who should be chosen.
In these remarks it will be observed
that the President only discusses possibil-
tiles, based upon the election being un-
decided by the 4th of March next.
L. @. w.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.
A thorough inquiry by the agent of
the Associated Press tonight confirms
the statement that the action OF the Cab
met to-day was negative and conservative.
No action will be taken regarding South
Carolina. Florida or Louisiana, unless
some overt act of disorder makes Federal
imperative. The recognition
of Hampton or Chamberlain in South
Carolina, Nichols or Packard in Louisi-
ana, Stearns or Drew in Florida will be
avoided if possible. The taxpayers have
the issue in their own hands. This Is
positive.
The Cabinet meeting was the first that
has been held for two weeks. It's action
throughout was mainly of negative
character. The application of the Re-
publican portion of the Louisiana Legis-
lature was brought up, but it was the de-
cided opinion of the Cabinet that the
troops already in Louisiana are sufficient
to cope with any difficulties that may
arise which would probably demand mil.
itary interference. The situation in
South Carolina and Florida was discussed,
but no action in the case of either was
deemed necessary. Secretary Fish pre-
sented some appeals from the Rio Grande,
but it was agreed that the existing orders
covered the cases.
The State, War and Navy Departments
are expected and instructed to act prompt.
" should new exigencies arise.
- WAsHINGToN, January 3.
Mr.. Lamar is quoted as follows: The
safety of this country, and especially the
happiness and prosperity OF the South,
depend on the strictest and most loyal
devotion to the Constitution. All the
disorders that affect the country at this
time are the result of departures from the
fundamental law. All the dangers now
apprehended are the dangers which will
spring alone from the violation of consti-
tutional methods. There is no necessity
for any violation or for violence in order
to bring the government back to constitu-
tional procedure. 1t is only necessary to
concentrate the attention of the people
upon the violations already committed,
and those threatened, in order to exercise
the danger and difficulty. Indeed the
result of secession has eliminated from
our system all resorts to extra constitu-
tional remedies, and happily in this
emergency, none are needed. Whether
the Joint committee of the two Houses
agree or not, the provisions of the consti-
tuition are adequate to safe, satisfactory
and final solution of every question in
volved in the present emergency. On
the 14th of February next the houses will
be bound, under the constitution, to meet
in the same chamber and perform the
duties and exercise the powers which the
constitution devolves upon them: to ex-
anime and ascertain the result of the
election of President and Vice-President.
Neither house can refuse to perform these
duties without abnegating its constitu-
tional power and violating it's constitu-
tional duty. In this august assemblage,
it is the condition Of our national life
that the duties imposed shall be dis
charged in the spirit of truth and patriot
ism, regardless of the consequences TO
party, but profoundly anxious for those
that concern the whole country. IT,
however, asthe constitution contemplates
in this, as we'll as in other cases, requiring
the cooperative action of the two houses,
they are unable to agree upon decision
whether either candidate has been elected,
it must follow there can be no constitu-
tional ascertainment and judgment put
upon record, that any one has received
the votes of majority of the Electors
appointed. The effect is failure to
elect. In such case the constitution is
clear. It devolves upon each of the
houses Immediately their respective du.
ties; one to elect the President and the
other the Vice President. Let the con-
stitution be maintained inviolate, and
there need; be no. disorganizing collisions
and no necessity lofresorting to force.
ssiYl-E.-771 - f..u,
The ETAsMoRTALITY OF THE SOUL
+, Ii. ;.loctnro m HDuou Death End III 9r