Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-20

mission in declining TO hear evidence of those
and other facts, was violation of the letter and
spirit OF the act under which the commission was
created, and Of the Constitution of the United
States.
No further objections being presented, the pre-
siding othcer announced Cat | o'clock that the
senate would withdraw to its chamber, so the two
houses might separately consider and decide up
on the objections. The Senate having accordingly
Withdrawn, on motion Of Wood of New York,
the House took a recess til tomorrow morning
yeas l40 nays 100.
SENATE.
On returning at IL IS the president DO TEN
announced that unless some Senator asked, he
would not direct the decision and objections there
to be read again. OBJECTION was made and the
president pro tenn decided that the time occupied
by the reading of the papers would not be taken
out the two houses allowed for debate. The
two hours would run from the time of debate in
the Senate Was actually commenced.
Sherman submitted a resolution that the decis.
ION OF the commission upon the electoral vote of
me state OF louisiana, stand as judgment of the
senate, objection thereto to the contrary notwith-
standing.
the debate upon sustaining the decision Of the
electoral commission in the Louisiana case was
commenced at LIZ p. NJ, by Maxey of Texas
who denounced the decision. Discussion was con-
tinues by Herman, Thurman and Bay ard, and by
sherman, Morton and Logan in favor thereof
MIR. herman said the senate should not he trust
ed It would not affirm the decision which had been
made by the commission.
MIR. Thurman said that the statute of Louisiana
created returning board consisting of five per-
sons who were to hold Office indefinitely and with
power to fill all vacancies that might occur. The
stale OF Louisiana under our constitution had no
power to create such board. He then referred
TO the alleged inelig bility Of certain election in
that state. and said he could not regard that other
than nnllihcaton of q constitutional provision
on that subject. Under this decision no matter by
what fraud man might be elected president and
vice president, or how ineligible an elector night
be there was no power TO inquire into it.
MIR. Sherman said that he was surprised at the
objections to the decisions of the electoral ribu-
mai. 1t wss constituted by the votes of the very
gentlemen who now object to its finding. The
senators Directing knew that when they voted for
the bill organizing the commission these very
questions OF taking ev idence were to be submit
ted TO 1t, and they were in honor bound by its de-
csion.
After further debate, the question being on the
resolution Of Mr.. Sherman 1t was agreed to, yeas
Al, nays 2S, strict party vote.
MIR. Hamlin said, the senate having concluded
its action on the vote of Louisiana, he moved the
secretary he instructed to notify the house of rep
reseHtaves that the senate was ready to meet
that body and proceed with the count of the cleo
toral vote. Agreed to.
MIR. Sargent inquired if it was not necessary to
inform the house that the senate has arrived at
conclusion in regard to the decision of the COM
miss ion.
The president replied that that would be includ-
ed In the notification.
The senate at 3.35 clock took recess till ten
o'clock tomorrow,