New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-07
THE SECRET SESSION.
THE DEBATE CONDUCTED WITH ARDoR AND ABILITY
THE JUDGES NoN-COMMITTAL--THB OTHERS


THE DEBATE CONDUCTED WITH ARDoR AND ABILITY
THE JUDGES NON-COMMITTAI--THB OTHERS
Loyal To Party.
ny TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUyE.I
WASHINGTON, Feb 8.-Tbe Electoral Commission
met in secret session at ~ o'clock to-day and con-
tinued its discussion until p. M. with the excep-
ton of recess Of half hour beginning at p.
No vote was taken on the question which is now I'M
der consideration by the Commission, namely,
whether Congress has power to consider any evil
dence except the papers submitted to the two houses
by the President of the Senate but before the adj
journment an informal understanding was reached
that decision should be made at 3 o'clock tO-mor-
row. 1t is hardly probable that this decision will
be publicly announced tomorrow. The Commission
will undoubtedly adjourn to meet ut the same hour
on Thursday and cause notice to be given to the
counsel and the public that it will be then ready to
proceed with its business with open doors.
Although injunction of secrecy was by for
NAL vote placed upon the members of the Commits
sion, remark made by Judge Clifford just before
the adjournment makes all of them unwilling to
converse much upon the subject this evening. 1t is
learned from various sources that the discussion
day was participated in only by the political
branches OF the COmmissiOn-that is, by the Sena-
tors and Representatives The judges seemed to act
separately and quasi court while the remaining
members have acted the role of advocates arguing in
support of the positions taken by their respective par
ties. The discussions to-day were sometimes heated
and in almost every case showed greater familiar
ity and q better grasp of the ques-
ton on the part Of the members of the
Commission than evinced in the speeches
made by the counsel in the open meetings of the
Commission. In some instances the members pre-
sented what they had to say in conversational
manner, while in others they spoke in court or
legislative body
As far as can be learned the Senators and Repre-
scntatives of each party stood firmly together. The
Republicans held the ground advanced by Gen. Gar
field in his speech in the House, and subsequently
urged by Stanley Mathews, that the Commission
only has power to inquire what the Returning Board
in Florida did. The Democrats held the doctrine
that it is proper for the Commission to inquire how
and why the Returning Board acted As it did. There
was nothing said by any of tho judges which indi-
Gated their opinions on the question, but Republic
can members Of the Commission express belief that
the judges will divide politically, and that Judge
Bradleys vote will decide the question. Ii is under
stood that the judicial members of the Commission
have this evening requested the political representa-
tives upon it to prepare short succinc briefs and to
present them for the consideration of the Commits
sion Tomorrow and that the immediate representa-
tyes of the two parties shall also present arguments
on the question orally.
1t is conjecturcd that the judges may consult
among themselves after this argument before the
vote is finally taken. After the decision of this IN
terlocutory question, additional arguments will be
made on both sides occupying four hours, so that
the Florida case will not be decided before Friday
or Saturday.