The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-02-14
THE FLORIDA FRAUD.
How the Tribunal Displayed Its Partf-
san Character at the First Oppor-
fuuifv

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9-The electoral COM
mission were in secret session from 10 a. m.
until $3.50 p. N. continuously, with the excep-
ton of two short recesses. Almost the entire
time until nearly the close was occupied
in debate, in which every one of
the fifteen members of the commission by
turns participated. Two or three of the
justices and severalSOf the senatorial men,
bers read deliberately prepared opin-
ions upon the main points at is
ne. The discussion is understood to
have been. from its commencement
to the close, of extraordinary power and
ability. The question of eligibility of
Humphreys was not made the subject of
much discussion, nor was any vote taken
concerning it. At one stage of the
proceedings, however, Senator Thur
man offered a resolution declaring
that there was not sufficient evidence offered
TO show that Humphreys was not shipping
commissioner on the 18th day of NoYem-
ber This resolution was criticised by
several republican members on the ground
that 1T might carry an implication that
if Humphreys had been such
commissioner on the 18th of November
his vote would have been invalid and the
resolution was not urged, there seeming to
be practically unanimity of opinion that
Humphreys resignation was legally effect
ual, being rendered and accepted before the
election. -.t... ..--
THE FIRST RESOLUTION.
About p. m, the debate being ended.
Senator Edmunds submitted a resolution
declaring, in substance that the four repub
lican electoral votes of Florida should be
counted and embodying also various reasons
for such declaration.
THE RAIDS KILL FAIR RESOLUTION.
Representative Hunton offered the fol-
lowing as q substitute:
Resolved, That the electors named in GER
tifcate No. ?, to-wit: Wilkinson Call, J. E.
Yonge, Robert Ballock and Robert B. Hilton
pointed electors by the state of
Florida on the 18th day of November, and
that their votes as certified by such certifi-
cate are the votes provided for by the con-
stitution of the United States. This substi-
tute was rejected by the following vote:
Yeas-Abbott, Bayard, Clifford, Field,
Hunton, Payne and Thurman, Z; nays
Bradley, Edmunds, Frelinghuysen, Garfield,
Hoar, Miller. Morton and Strong, s.
THE RADICAL ELECTORS COUNTED IN.
Mr. Edmunds then withdrew his resolu-
ton, and Mr.. Garfield offered the following,
which was adopted by the foregoing vote
reversed:
Resolved. That the four persons, to-wit:
Frederick c. Humphreys, Charles w Pearce,
William II. Holden and Thomas W. Long,
were duly appointed electors of president
and vice president for the state of Florida,
and that the votes cast by the aforesaid
four persons are the votes provided
for by the constitution of the United States.
The vote in detail on the adoption of this
resolution was as follows:
Yeas-Bradley. Edmunds, Frelinghuysen,
Garfield, HOar, Miller, Morton and Strong,
S; nays-Abbott, Bayard, Clifford, Field,
HuntOn, Payne and Thurman, Z.
REPORT To THE TWO HOUSES.
On motion of Mr., Garfield, Messrs. Ed
munds, Bradley and Miller were appointed
committee to draft report of the decision of
the commission, with a brief statement of
the reasons therefor, to be signed by the
members agreeing therein, and to be trans
mitted to the john session of the two houses,
as required by the electoral act.
THE REPORT OF THE EIGHT
The argumentative resolution previously
offered and withdrawn by Mr. Edmunds wss
adopted by the committee of three with
few verbal changes as their report, and about
o'clock D. m. it was signed by the eight
members of the commission who had voted
for..the adoption of Mr. Gartield's resolution.
The formal decision or report to congress is
very brief but its complete phraseolOgy is
withheld from publicity tonight froia con-
siderations of etiquette, as it is to be trans
mitted tomorrow morning to the president
of the senate, under seal, to be by him inn
the two houses.
THE POINTS OF THE REPORT.
Its points, however, can be acceptably
stated as follows:
/. The commission, exercising the powers
of both houses under the law, and having
examined all certificates and papers referred
to them, find that they have no authority
to hear evidence Gtiundi, or in other words
to hear evidence outside of the certificate of
the governor of Florida, founded upon the
determination of the canyassing board of
the state as to its vote. rihramm
2. The commission could not consider as
evidence any act of the legislature or courts
in determining that the state had appointed
as electors after the day the said electors
gave their vote. MI
3. In regard to the alleged ineligibility of
f., c. Humphreys there was not sufficient
proof that he held Office on the 9TH of No
vember. .ar.r ll
THE TWO WILL RECEIVE NOTICE OF THE DE-
81" a 100 CIsloY. f
The secretary of the commission will to-
morrow morning deliver to the president
pro tenn. of the senate the formal decision
above described, together with all certif-
Gates and accompanying papers in the Flor
ida case which were referred to the commits
sion, and the secretary will also deliver
to the speaker of the house formal notifca-
ton, signed by the president of the COM
mission, that their decision has been COM
municated to the president, pro tenn, of the
senate. Thereupon, in compliance with the
electoral act, the two houses will again meet,
and the decision will be read and entered on
the vote of each house, and the vote of Florida
will Immediately be counted for Hayes and
Wheeler unless, objection being made in
writing by at least FIVE senators and FIVE
members of the house of representatives,
the two houses shall separately concur in
ordering otherwise, it being known that the
two houses will not so concur 1t is not
thought likely that any objection viii be
made to the immediate counting of the
republican votes, as this would be an I'M
npcesSarv waste nf time -i'i'