Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-12
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
Second Session.


SENATE.
WASHINGTON, February 10.
The chair laid before the senate the following
communication
WASHINGTON, February 10.
SIR am directed by the electoral commission
to inform the senate that it has considered and de
clded upon matters submitted to it under act of
Congress concerning the same, touching electoral
votes from the state of Florida and herewith by
direction of said commission, transmit to you
said decision in writing, signed by members agree
ing therein, to be read at the meeting of the two
houses according to said act. All the certificates
and papers sent to the commission by the presi-
dent and senate are herewith returned
(Signed) NATHAN CLIFFORD,
President of Commission.
To Hon. Thomas W. Ferry President of the
But few senators being present, on motion of
Boutwell,, the call of the senate was ordered. and
at l0.l5 twenty seven senators answered to their
names.
Boutwell, said as the subject presented to the
senate was one OF much importance, and as there
might not be quorum present even by twelve
O'Clock, he moved that tie sergeant be di-
rected to request the attendance of absent sena-
tors. Agreed to.
AT 1920 the clerk of the house appeared at the
bar OF the senate, and announced that the house
would be prepared 10 meet the senate in the hall
OF the house at one o'clock, to proceed with the
further count OF the vote for president and vice
president.
Cameron of Pa. moved tn at the senate take
recess until five minutes before one o'clock.
Edmunds objected, and said under the law moth
ing could be done until after the two houses met
in joint convention.
Cameron withdrew his motion.
The senate returned to its chamber at 20, and
objections to the decision of the comm ission sub
mitted to the house by Field, having been read,
Stevenson moved that the senate take recess I'M
til ten o'clock Monday. Rejected, yeas 26, nays
A. Strict party vote.
After further debate the following WAS submit
ted BY MIR. Sherman and agreed to by party
vote:
Resolved, That the decision of the Commission
upon the electoral votes of the State of Florida,
stand, as the judgment of the Senate, the obec-
ton thereto to the contrary notwithstanding.
A lengthy debate took place as to the form of
questions sustaining or overruling the objection
filed by Mr.. Field.
An order submitted by Mr. Whyte that the Sem
ate do not concur in the decision made by the
comm issiop, created under the act approved JAM
20, 1917. but that the votes cast by Wilkinson,
Call, Robert, Bullock, j. Z. Yonge and r. b. Hill
ton as electors of the State of Florida, are the
true and lawful votes for President and Vice Pres
ident Of that state, and should be counted as the
electoral vote of the State, was defeated by
strict party vote.
The Senate then agreed to an order subm tilted
by MIR. Hamlin that the vote of Florida should be
counted for II. b. Hayes for President and W. ID
Wheeler for Vice President as determined by the
Electoral Commission.
The vote upon this was-yeas 43, nays p. A
strict party vote.
On motion of Mr.. Sargent at 2 IS the Secretary
was directed to notify the House of Representa-
tives that the Senate had reached determination
in regard to the decision of the Electoral Commits
sion, and was ready to meet the House of Repre-
sentatves for the purpose Of proceedings with the
count.
At o'clock the Senate took recess until 10
o'clock Monday morning.
House
The speaker laid before the house q commuui-
cation from Justice Clifford on the action of the
electoral commission.
The clerk was directed to inform the senate that
the house was ready to receive that body at one
o'clock.
Bill for relief of the heirs of the late rear adj
miral Charles Wilkes was passed.