Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-09
The Counting OF the Electoral vote.
JOINT SESSION OF TUE TWO HoUsEs-slX
STATES COUNTED AND THE VOTES AN
NoUNcED-T HREE SETS or CERTIFICATES
FROM FLoRIDA-THE PAPERS REFERRED
TO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.

NoUNCED-THREE SETS or CERTIFICATES
FROM FLoRIDA-THE PAPERS REFERRED
TO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
The two houses of Congress met together
at o'clock, p. M, last Thursday, TO begin
the counting Of the Electoral votes. Just
before the recess in The House preparatory
TO the joint session there was an incident oil
some significance, and deserving particular
attention. Speaker Randall announced the
two telers on the part OF the House 10 be
Gen. Cook of Georgia, and Mr.. Stone of
Missouri. Both are Southern Democrats
of much muscle and plenty of pluck, but
not heretofore renowned for their abilities
IA counting. Mr.. Kasson of Iowa called
attention to the fact that IL was unusual for
the minority to be deprived Of representa-
ton in so important function, and Mr..
Randall explained that his Intention had
been communicated to the President of the
Senate, who would look after the interests
Of his party by appointing two Republican
Senators as tellers. Mr.. Kasson mildly re-
marked that II should go on record that
such action by the President of the Senate
was caused by the action OF the Speaker of
the House, of which there were demonstra.
lions of disDleasure on the Democratic side.
Mr.. Randall bad previously been besought
by Democratic Senators TO appoint one Dem
ocrat and one Republican, as was intended
in the Senate, but he was innexible, and 1t
seems for a purpose. There was a plan
a while ago for the telers of the House to
count Tilden In, whatever might be the
count of the Senate tellers, and so 10 re-
port 10 the House. That the report might
be unanimous, 1t was necessary that no Re
publican teller should be appointed. Mr..
Randall cannot get over the notion that
some contingency may arise under the new
law in which that game might be played,
and hence he has displayed what appears
TO most people 10 be piece OF petty parti
sanship, but what really has 4 deeper
meaning.
At 1855 Mr.. Simpson, clerk from the
Senate, announced the appointment of Sem
ators Allison and ingalls, aud Ibis message
was almost Immediately followed by the
Senators, walking two by two, preceded
by the Sergeants at Arms OF both houses.
The House rose 10 receiI e the Senate, and
the latter were soon seated in the seats re-
served for them. In few moments per-
feet order aud quiet reigne1 in the House,
while Vice President Ferry, occupying the
Speakers chair, prepared to open the Elec-
toral returns. The House at this moment
was densely filled in every corner, both on
the floor and in the galleries, about 1900
persons, probably, being within hearing of
Mr.. Ferry's voice.
Mr.. Ferry had the returns in a wooden
box, little more than one foot in dimen-
siuus. He announced in the usual formal
manner that the two houses were met TO be
present at the opening of the certificates
and The counting Of the votes for President
and Vice President for four years from the
4th of next March. Then he opened the
box, and, taking out the return from Ala
bama, broke the seal and handed the pa
pers to Senator Allison, one of the tellors,
10 read. The return received by the mes
senger han ing been read, the duplicate re-
ceived by mail was handed to Mr.. Stone
and was read through by him. This double
reading was afterward discontinued, the
duplicate return being compared in each
case with the return which was read. The
presiding officer inquired if any obi :clions
were offered 10 counting the vote of Ala
bama as reported, and none being offered
the 10 votes of Alabama were ordered 10 be
counted for 1ilden and Hendricks.
The second returns opened were from
Arkansas. They were read by the tellers,
and the six votes wero counted for Tilden
HanItickS l'aliCNrnia
followed, and were rapidly disposed of, the
six votes of the former and the three votes
of the latter being counted Tor Hayes and
Wheeler. The 6 votes of Connecticut and
the votes of Delaware were counted for
Tilden aud Hendricks. The reading OF the
papers occupied considerable time, but
everything was found 10 be in order. The
next certificate opened was from Florida.
The reading Of the papers in the case Of
this State, which everybody had been wait
ing for, was the most tedious and weari-
some of all. though interesting TO those
who were about TO consider them in anoth-
or tribunal. First, Mr.. Ferry opened and
the teIlers cad the regular and lawful re-
turn from the State, which was seen to COM
ply with Tue law in every particular and
with complete exactness. This reIurn, of
course, gave four votes for Hayes and
Wheeler. Mr.. Ferry ueXt produced and
opened second return, which proved 10
be tue pretended vote Of the Tildcu Elect.
ors, which was certified 10 by the Secretary
OF State. This return was gravely aud SOL
EMMY regular, except the absence of the
proper executive certificate. This return
having been read, a third return was OPEN
ed, which was received only The day before.
This set OF papers is the result of the new
count by the order OF the Legislature. The
papers were printed and everything done
with elegance, the broad, gilt seals shining
upon every corner. There was attached 10
the paper a broadsde of election returns
which would have required an hour or
more 10 read. The reading, except little
OF the first part was dispensed with by
unanimous consent. Then followed the
presentation of objections. Mr.. David
Dudley Field presented long written oh.
jecIion TO the counting ofthe Hayes return.
This was signed by five Senators and five
Representatives. Objections were made on
the Republican side 10 counting the pre-
tended votes for Tilden aud Hendricks.
The papers were brief, setting forth in few
words the reasons well known TO every
body why neither the second nor the third
set OF returns should be counted. All pa
pers and returns, including great bundles
of testi nony taken by the Florida Investi-
eating Committees, were then ordered sent
10 the Electoral Commission, and the two
houses separated, each going on with its
own usual business.
The Electoral Commission was assem- bled
in tue Supreme Court room at 2 o'clock,
awaiting any papers that might be sent to