The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1877-02-15
TIE PRESIDENCY.
IhIense Excitement and Republican
Enthusiasm.
WASHINGTON, Feb. z.

vote at 3 O'Clock on the vital ques-
ton which 1t had discussed for two
days, and as tbst hour approached,
little knots Of anxious people began TO
gather in the corridor leading from
the Supreme Courtroom TO the Sen
ate Chamber. Among these were
Senators and Representatives, jour-
nslIsts, and not few Of the pOliti-
clans of both parties, Of national
Reputation, now In Washington
watching the progress OF events.
! During the half hour Of waiting many
rumors were ahoat as to the decision
of the Commission, and furnished,
for the time, topics Of discussion
among those assembled. None of
these rumors had a substantial foun-
dation, for no one came from the
Supreme Courtroom to give any inti-
nation Of what was going on within
its closed doors. ---
THE FIRST NEWS.
Soon alter half past three there was
movement In the crowd, and Sena-
tor Edmunds was seen to come from
the courtroom with several law
books under his arm. He threaded
his way through the obstructed cor
ridor, and passed into the Senate,
without stopping to speak TO any one.
The satisfied look which oYerspread
his face, gave the Republicans some
hope. He was followed a few min
utes later by Senator Morton, who
walked with difficulty, leaning upon
his two canes. A personal friend
Joined him as he came into the cor
ridor, and walking by his side to the
door of the Senate Chamber, got the
first news OF the Commissions de.
cision. Then, as II telegFRphed, the
word went around, 'fEight to seven
against testimony" A moment
later several other members OF the
Com missiJn appeared, and the result
was known more in detail throughout
the crowd. The Republicans were
greatly elated and the Democrats in
like degree depressed, when they
heard the news.
THE PIVOTAL JUDGE.
After all, everything depends upon
the fifth Judge. The action Of the
Electoral Commission o-dsy, shows
that Judge Bradley holds the balance
of power on all questions affecting
ths final result. Stanley Matthew'S
witty comparison Of the Commission
to q Papal Consistory has perfect sp-
plication. 1t was held he said OF the
Consistory, that the Spirit Of inspira-
tion was upon all the mem bers, but
that the Holy Ghost resided espe-
oiRlly with the old man. The four |
Judges originally appointed by the
Electoral bill, balance each other just |
as the ten OOngressmen do, and Judge |
Bradley sitting, as 1t were, in the
middle OF the beam, makes the scale |
turn to the one side or the other,
according as he throws the weight of
his vote.
When the Commission reassem-
bled, ct noon to-day, all the Senators |
and Representative had spoken, ex-
cept Payne. He opened the debate |
in q speech which is said to have
been the most partisan one made
upon the Democratic side. It was
in some respects sn echo of that made |
by Lawyer Field in the open session |
and asserted the right Of Congress to
go clear down to the county returns
In an effort to discover and correct |
frauds. This vas not the general |
Democratic position. Thurman had,
maintained the inviola-
biIity OF the sovereignty of the State,
and had only sought to push investi-
CATION far enough to ascertain wheth-
er the Returning Board were legally |
and had kept within its
Jurisdiction. -
Some Of the Democrats, however,
insisted on going little further and
the record in the office of
the Secretary of State, to learn what
had been reported to him from the /
County Canvassers. The i've Judges,
in stating their views to-day, made |
an evident effort to preserve 8 judicial |
manner, and kept pretty closely to
the traditional style Of the bench in
delivering opinions.
Clifford, Bradley and Field read
their speeches from manuscript,
Strong and Miller spoke from notes. |
Field is said to have taken almost
as strongly part in Democrstic /
grounds as any of the congressional
memb bers OF the Commission.
Clifford, It is reported, went outside
Of the pending preliminary question
to declare that he had no doubt that
the TiIden Electors had been fairly
elected in Florida.
Some of the speeches are said to
have been exceedingly powerful and
among them, that of Justice
Miller is highly praised. 1t was
based on the statement that no in
stance can be found in the history Of
our Government where the judicial
power reversed the acts Of the pOliti-
cal power.
Justice Strong made an effective
use in his argument Of the clause In
the Florida election law, which en-
powers the Board Of Canyassers to
determine and declare the result OF
the election. This he held to be con-
elusive.
Judge Bradley's opinion was clear
and forciDle against the power Of
Congress to go behind the returns to
the election or the acts OF |
the csnvassing authority. It is q
great pity that all the arguments
made in secret session were not re-
ported and published, for they are far |
more important as part OF the rec
ord of the case than those delivered |
by the counsel, and the objections in |
the open sessions,
THE VOTE.
The Commission, at three O'Clock,
proceeded, in accordance with the
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