New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-02
THE LEADING EVENTS OF THE DA
SCENES IN THE JOINT CONVENTION.
THE FIRST MEETING WITHOUT EXCITEMENT-DIsTIN
GUIsHED VISITORS PREsENT-sIY STATES COUNT
ED-FLORIDA.


fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNA
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The scene in the Hall Of
Representatives to-day during the counting of the
vote of the first six States almost wholly devoid
Of striking dramatic incidents. The business pro-
ceeded in the ordinary manner and without objec
ton for nearly two hours Even when the trpli-
cate returns from Florida opened and protests
were filed against the counting of each Of them the
houses separated without excitement, and business
was resumed in both branches as though nothing I'M
usual had occurred. Thus far the counting of the
votes has been less of spectacle than at any time
since 1865.
The arrangements for the preservation of order
and for the admission of only as many people as
could be comfortably accommodated were almost
perfect Fifty special policemen were on duty in the
Capitol, and stationed at every entrance lead
ing from the main building into the House wing.
Thousands of people thronged the Rotunda from
early in the morning, almost completely filling it,
and streamed through the Hobbies and corridors OF
the Senate wing but when they reached the en-
frances to the House wing every who had not
been provided with ticket at once stopped, SO
that the southern end of the Capitol was less crowded
than Oh an ordinary occasion. Holders OF tickets
began to arrive early as IN the morning, al
though the ceremony of counting the yotes was not
to begin until 1. The galleries filled up slowly, but
were comfortably packed before the House met at
~ o'clock as no moro tickets had been issued than
the galleries would accommodate. There were
of the crowds pressing upon the doors which are
usually seen when anything especially interesting
is expected to occur. The Diplomatic Gallery was
comfortably filled. Mrs. Fish occupied one of the
front seats, and the wives OF other Cabinet Mill
listers noticed nterspersed among the families
Of the Diplomatic Corps. Sir Edward Thornton and
6 tbaD fisI hn haNa
watched The proceedings in connection with the
Presidential controversy with great apparent
interest were present during the earlier
part of the day. The japanese Minister
and several members Of the japanese Lee
CATION Madame Mantiia. the wife Of the Spanish
Minister NJ. Cemusch the eminent French writer
OIL political economy, and other distinguished f0s-
eisn ladies and gentlemen looked down upon the
House from this gallery. The section OF seats I'M
mediatcly north of the Diplomatic Gallery reserved
for the families of representatives and their friends,
was also entirely filed the greater part OF its occu-
pants being ladies. A portion OF Speaker Randalps
family and friends occupied one of the front rows
Of seats, while that on the other side OF the aisle
was reserved for members Of the Presidents family
and those visiting at the White House. Col. Fred
Grant and wife, bIrs. Gen. Sherman, and the wives
of many of the Senators and Representatives were
ally packed with negroes from the time the Capitol
is opened in the morning until the adjournment OF
the House, was to-day reserved as gentlemans
gallery. As no one was admitted without ticket,
and as these tickets We're much sought after, the
colored population of Washington had very few
representatives at the House to-day. The gallery
was filled principally with men, with here and there
q lady interspersed. The remaining galleries on the
east and south sides of the chamber were packed
with ladies and gentlemen who were not fortunate
enough to obtain admission to reserved positions.
Very few persons not entitled to the privileges OF
the door were admitted to-day, but among those
who were there were considerable number OF dis
tinpuighcd gentlemen either residing III tAls city OF
who have come hter to witness the solution OF the
Presidential controversy. The venerable historian,
George Bancroft, occupied a seat among 'ie hc,i-
hers rs did also Secretary Robeson ex-Goy Fcnton,
ex-senator Trumbull, Postmaster-Gcnerai Iyner'
Mr.. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs; the
Commissioners of the District, Col Peton, formerly
nriyate secretary of Gov. Tilden; extiovs Kellogg
of Loulslana and Noyes of OHIO. Gen. Lew Wallace
Stanley Matthews, Samuel Shellabarger l.. W.
Stoughton Gen. Harry White OF pennsylvania
District Attorney Stewart l.. Woodford and Thomas
Murphy Gen. Sherman, Secretary Cameron, Hccre-
tary Chandler Jeremiah Black, WilllamSi. LVaits'
Jusfices Miller and Field and some other distiil-
ouishad gentlemen were seated in chairs placed III
the open space in front OF the Speakers table
The House transacted no business oil importance
before the hour appointed for the counting Oh III"
votes The Democrats were anxious TO get az the
Florida resolution which they attempted 10 lhtro-
duce last evening but the Republicans demanded
the reading of the entire journal including all the
rcsolu,,ons presented and the rolcas aud this oc-
cupied nearly all the time few necessary resol'-
fions we're then passed, such as one directing Tue
daily proceedings of the Electoral Commission 10
be printed and another 10 inform the senate '1a'
the House was ready to receive that OOiy ana 10
procecd 10 count the vote At exactly O'Clock
the Senate appeared at the bar 0i the House. ana
was announced by the DoOrkceper. Inc speaker
rauped three times with his gave, and TN iheihpers
arose in their places aud remained standing uhtii
the Senators were seated The procession entered
the hall led by the Scrgeants-at-ArhS "i tie
Senate and House, two special poiiceniei' W."
the President of the Senate, accompanied ny
Can't BasSett, the veteran DOoikeeper vi '"c
Senate who carried in his hand two large
so,,are boxes containing the electoral returns
Senators Hamn, Sherman Conkling, ana howe
marched near the head of the PROCESSION When
tho members of both houses were seated. 1t was dis
covered that the counting Of the electoral votes a.
well as other political experiences sooties makes
arrange companions. Fernando Wood, who has
during the PRESENT session been the representative
of extreme Democratic views, sat between pep'
Banks of Massachusetts and MIR. Page Of California
two of the most radical Of the Republicans: Mr.
Faulkner Of West Virginia sat by the side OF Mr.
Chittenden Of New-York, aud Mr. Ward OF New