Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-01

rected the tellers TO announce the vote of Leuisi
ana. which was done, ard the same counted for
her seven votes for Hayes aud Wheeler; Mary
land. with her eight votes for TfldeE and
hendriess, and Massachusetts, with her fh thir,
teen votes for HAYES and Wheeler. Whyn
Michigan was reached, objections were filed TO
the count, on the ground of the alleged
neaPaeb Sbeeo6 one be6d Of he hfseor
withdrew to let the objections be con-
sidered by each house separately. Each
house overruled the objections and at twenty
minutes after five the Joint Convention reas
sembled. The Presiding Officer announced the
action of each house on the objection and airected
The vote of Michigan to be announced. This vas
done, and the eleven votes of that Sta e were
counted tor Hayes and Wheeler. Then followed
Minnesoi a. with five votes for Hayes and Wheeler;
Nj ssissippi with eight votes for ii den and Hen
bricks; Missouri with fifteen votes for Tilden and
Hendricks. and Nebraska, with three votes for
Hayes and Wheeler. When Nevada was reached
Mr.. Springer filed objections to the vote on the
ground that of the Electors at the time of his
appointment, held an Office o. profit and trust
der the United States The Senate Withdrew to
reached by either house at the time OF adjourn
ment.
The House and Senate, in separate ses-
sion on the 21st overruled the objections filed in
the Nevada case Noice was sent to the Senate
that the House was ready to proceed with the
count, and at quarter TO twelve O'Clock the Sen
ate made its appearance and the Joint Convention
was called to order. The vote of Nevada for
Hayes was counted; then followed New Jersey
for I1lden; New Ha -pshife, for Hayes; New
York and North Carolina, for Tilden. and Ohio.
for Hayes. Fifteen minutes only were occupied
IN opening and counting the voIes of these six
States When Oregon was reached the reading OF
ali the papers was demanded The first certificate
the Cronin, certificate The Pr,siding Officer
called for objections. Mr.. Kelly filed his objec-
uons to the Republican certificate, aud MIR. Mitch
ell to the Cronin GER ifCate. Mr.. Lawrence pre-
objections
There being no further objections, the Senate re-
tired and the papers were referred to the Electoral
Commission. hat body met at one clock. The
Presiding Ju tice lid the papers received from
the two houses before his colleagues and
motion 10 print was adopted. Senator Kelly
and Mr.. Jenks appeared as obectors to the Re
publican, and Senator Mitchell and Mr.. Lawrence
as obJectors to the Cronin, certificate. On motion
OF MIR. Kelly, an order was issued for the produc-
ton OF the commission and resignation of Mr..
Watts. and Senator Mitchell and Mr.. Waits sub
p9naed as Witnesses. Mr.. Kelly submitted his
objections to the Republican certificate, claiming
that Watts was Postmaster at the date of the
election, and consequently disqualified to serve
as Elector and that it The Govern
ors duty, knowing this fact, to decline
to issue commission to him. He was followed
by MIR. jerks, also in behalf of the Democrats.
Mr.. Mitchell presented the objections ON behalf of
the republicans, and claimed that the Governor
OF oregon was not authorize d by law to certify to
the election OF a minority candida e. Judge Law
renee followed, claiming that the Republican
Electors came with evidence of title which
and declared that the whole controversy
might be disposed of in favor of the
Hayes 4 tn Electors by single proposition that
that Cronin was legally appointed, yet he refused
to acf, neg ected t, attend with Odel and Cart
wright, and hls place become vacant, and Watts
was duly appointed to fill it. The Democratic
counsel, at this time claimed and were granted
additional time. and the Commission took re-
sion reassemb ed. Mr.. Merrick and Judge Hoad-
ley appearing for the Democ ats, and Mr..
Evarts and Judge Stanley Matthews for
gan his argument, making the point
that the Commission excluded evidence in the
Florida and Louisiana cases because it was with
out judicial power, and said with 1ut the exercise
of judicial power they could not deprive Tllden
and Hendricks of one vote cast for them in Ore
could not award it to Hay es and Wheeler AT the
conclusion of Judge Ho ldley's argument, the
Commission adjourned to meet at ten a. M, on
the 22d
The Electoral Commission reassembled
at ten o'clock on the morning of the ed BIr.
Matthews, for the Republicans. spoke in opposi-
ton to the Cronin certificate. He insisted that
the Republicans occupied the ground they occu
pied at the beginning, and which had been fully
sustained by the dec sions in The Florida and
Louisiana cases, viz, that certificate, based on
the returns. was conclusive evidence of an cleo
ton. The trouble wi h the Oregon case was hat
the Cronin er,ifcate was not based on the re-
turns. bur en- irely independent of them At the
conclusion of Mr.. Matthews speech, the Commits
sion resolved to receive evidence, but,
none being for hcoming the Commission
took a recess After the recess, Mr.. Merrick
offeI ed certified copy of the commission of ohm
w Watts, as Postmaster, dated Feb. 13, 1873. Mr..
Evarts objected to the PAPER not autht picated.
Judg3 Clifford sustained the objection, but Mr..
Evarts afterward withdrew it, and Mr. Merrick
presented the commission of Henry NJ II i'll as
Postmaster. dated Jan. 8, 1s77, in which it was
recited that he was appointed on the Sd of Novem-
ber 1876 A telegram from Mr.. Watts, receiv
on the 18th of November, resigning his position,
offered and admitted. Postmaster General
Tyner testified to the receipt of this resignation
and the appointment of successor. Mr.. Watts
testified as to the same facts, and Mr. McGrew
Sixth Auditor, testified that Watts accounts had
been adjusted up to and including Nov. IA. At
half past one O'Clock Mr.. Evarts commenced his
argument. After stating that the Republican
view of she case consistent with their claims
in the cases of Florida and louisiana he took up.
the certificate of Odell. Cartwright and Watts,
claiming that in it every Constitutional require
ment had been complied with Mr.. Merrick
spoke in behalf of the Democrats, and argued
that the laws Of Louisiana, Florida and Oregon
being similar in respect to the appointment of
Electors, if it was wrong to go behind the certif
Gates in one case, itwas in the other AT he coll
clusion of Mr.. Merrck's address. the Commission
went into secret session. and soon after ad-
Journed until ten a. m. on the following day.
agreeing to take vote at four p. M, unless the
members should be prepared to vote at an earlier