National Republican., 1877-02-12
F0RTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
SATURDAY, FBBRuARY 10,


The Senate MET at 10 O'Clock.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a commu-
nication from the President of the Electoral
Commission, as follows
~ SIN T. tdr Sd,rscsd M X Electoral Commission
ofCorsisss concerning DC same touchins % he
e sU You
Sr na" s s se
anS mSps Snps ea 'sa s ~ T &c
NATHAN CLIfFonD,
The Hon. ruos 3iS;1ssas issaf o. the Commission
President OF the Senate.
Mr.. BOUTWELL, said that as there were so
few Senators present he would move . call Of
the Senate to bring In agreater attendance.
The roll was called, and about dozen Sen.
ators answered 10 their names. The call was
continued for about fifteen minutes, during
which time about twenty. fvo Senators in all
had come in.
Mr.. BOUTWELL, moved that Senators be
notified Of the call and broughtin Agreed TO.
The CHAIR said II there was no objection
be would appoipt conference on tho disagree
ing votes Of the fertilization bill.
He appointed Messrs. WINDOW, LOGAN and
DAVIS.
Mr.. DAVIS said he did not object, but he
would like to inquire II 1t was not the dis.
tinct understanding that no business what
ever, not even call of the Senate, should be
transacted between the hours Of ten and
twelve each morning.
The CHAIR said II was the understanding
that no business would be transacted, pend
ing the deliberations of the Commission, but
as the Com mission had now agreed, call OF
the Senate was not Of order to obtain Q quo
rum.
At 1890 Mr.. BOUTWELL, said that he had
learned that the House had taken Q recess
till f2 O'Clock. As there was some doubts
about quorum Of the Senate getting to.
eetber even at twelve, unless the Senators
were notified, he would move that the notia-
cation be continued, but that further pro.
ceedlnes under the roll call be suspended, and
that the Senate take q recess till twelve
O'Clock. Agreed to.
AT r Recess.
The Senate rcassembled at 12 NJ, with o
full attendance present.
Mr.. HAMLIN said that the President
notified the Senate that the Commission had
come to decision on the disputed electoral
vote Of Florida, he therefore moved that the
Secretary of the Senate be instructed TO In
form the House that the Senate is ready TO
meet In Joint convention to continue the can
Vass Of the electoral votes. Agreed to.
Mr.. BOUTWELL, rose to Introduce Do
ttion, and was inormed by the CHAIR that
no business was In order.
At 1929 the Clerk Of the House appeared
In the Senate chamber with o resolution from
the House notifying the Senate that the House
would be prepared 10 receive the Senate In
Joint convention in the hall OF the House at
l O'Clock to continue the canvass Of the cleo
Mr.. CAMERON, of Penn, I move that
the Senate take recess till flve minutes be-
fore 1 O'Clock.
Mr.. EDMUNDs. We cannot do that. The
law says that, after a decision Is reached BY
the tribunal, the two Houses shall immedi-
ately convene 10 continue the count. We can
not, In my opinion, even take recess.
Mr.. CAMERON. Mr.. President, always
yield to the opinion of my friend the Senator
from Vermont, and 1 withdraw the motion.
No business was transacted, and at three
minutes to one the CHAIR called attention to
the notice Of the House. and said, FIT be the
proceed to the hall Of the House, and the
Senators Immediately formed In procession
and left the Senate Chamber.
AT 10 the Senate re-peared at the Senate
Chamber, preceded BY the Sergeant-at-Arms
and four special policemen guarding the boxes
susTAIRING DECISION OF THE COMMISSION,
When the Senate had been called to order,
the Chair announced that the Senate having
met the House for the purpose of continuing
the electoral count, and objection having
been made to the counting Of the vote or
Florida, the two Houses had separated, and
the objection to counting the electoral vote of
Florida would be laid before the Senate.
The objections were read by the Clerk, and
the CHAIR asked: "Wnl the Senate sustain
the objection"
Mr.. HERMAN. will suggest that the OBJ
lections be taken up seriatini.
Mr.. SHERMAN. would suggest that the
proper question will be Il: "ShsiI the decision
of the tribunal be sustained, notwithstanding
the objections preeented}O
Mr.. STEVENSON suggested that the objec-
tions be printed and the Senate take q recess
sntil 10 O'Clock on Monday, and he made that
as q motion.
ride.
Mr.. STEVENSON. Oh, we'll, Senators
may say no, no, and they can vote as they
please, but have q right TO express my opln-
lon. This 10 very momentous proposition,
probably the most important ever brought be-
lore tho Senate, and 1t Is customary 70 print
such documents.
The CHAIR put the question to take recess.
Mr.. STEVENSON. And TO print the pa
pers also.
The CHAIR understood the Senator to
move totske recess.
, Mr.. STEVENSON. Asthe CHAIR misunder-
stood me, will withdraw the motion and In
sist upon the motion to print. Several ssna-
tors suggested that the papers would come
out In the Record to morrow, while a docu.
meht could not be printed Tor some time, as
The printing outside Of the Record had stopped
Tor lack Of an appropriation.
. The motion to print was " thdrawn, and
lhe motion to take recess was put to the |
Senate, and the yeas and nays were demand
I'd, ordered and called, resulting in-yeas 90, |
nays A, and the motion to take recess was
lost.
Mr.. wHYTE offered resolution that IL ia
ordered that the Senate do not concur In the |
1ecision Of the tribunal. He said II the two |
Houses do not concur, the decision will |
stand by the very terms OF the law itself.
Mr.. HAMLlN moved to amend by striking |
,ut the word "not" and inserting the names |
of the Hayes electors Of Florida in place of |
ion.
Mr.. SHERMAN submitted resolution that
he decision Of the Tribunal stand, notwith- |
'tanding the objection thereto.
Mr.. WRIGHT submitted a resolution that
he objection made and considered to counting
he vote Of Florida DO overruled, and thai
he electors named In certificate No, 1, and
he decbion Of the Tribunal be sustained,
Mr.. WHYTE said that by the language Of
ne law the decislon stands, unless the two
iousos shall concur In ordering otherwise.
10 moved his resolution as o substitute for all
'tbers.
Mr.. SARGENT inquired II the two hours
mentioned In the law for debate were now
,oing on.
Mr.. MERRIMoN said that the various pro.
being offered were evidence that
Nlt..A IL