The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-02-14

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Miller. Morton and Strong-8.
Nayes- Messrs. Abbott, Bayard
Clifford. Field, Hunton, Panye and
| Thurman.
/ On motion of Mr.. Abbott, it wa!
resolved that in the case of Florida
this Commission will receive evidence
relating to the eligibility of Franz
c. Humphreys, one of The persons
named in certificate No. l as al
elector. The vote stood:
Yeas-Messrs. Abbott, Bayard
Bradley, Clifford, Field, Hunton
! Payne, and Thurman-8.
Nayes- Messrs. Edmunds, Ere
linghuysen, Garfield, Hoar, Miller,
Morton, and Strong--7.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The Elec
toral Commission were in secret
session from 10 A. NJ. until half-past
8 P NJ. continuously, with the ex
ception of two short recesses. Al
most the entire time till nearly the
close of the session was occupied
with debate, in which every one OF
the fifteen members of the Commits
sion by turns participated. Two oil
three of the Justices and severa
Senatorial members read elaborate
| ly prepared opinions on the main
points at issue, and the discussion
is understood to have been, from its
close of extraordinary power and
ability. The question of the eligi
bility of Humphreys was not made
the subject of much discussion, MOI
was any vote concerning it taken in
any stage of the proceedings. How
ever, Senator Thurman offered g
restitution declaring that there was
no sufficient evidence offered to
show that Humphreys was not a
Shipping Commissioner on the 18th
day of November. This resolution
was criticised By several Republic
can members on the ground that il
might carry an implication that il
Humphreys had been such comni~-
sioner on Nov. his vote would "a.
been involved, and the resolu ..Ug.
was not urged, there seemed 10 he
practically a unanimity of olimi III
that Humphreys resignation was
legally effectual, being rendered and
accepted before the election.
About o'clock P. NJ. the debate
being ended, Senator Edmunds SUBJ
mitted a resolution declaring in
substance that the four Republican
Electoral votes OF Florida should
be counted, and embodying also va
rious reasons for such declaration.
Representative Hunton offered
the following as a substitute
Resolved, that the Electors nam
ed in certificate No. 2. to wit: Wiki
inson Call, j. z. Young. Robert
Ballock and Robert B. Hilton, are
the four persons who were duly ap-
pointed Electors by the State of
Florida, on the 9TH day of Noyem-
Der, and that their votes, as certified
by such certificate. and the votes
provided for by the Constitution Of
the United States.
This substitute was rejected by
the following vote:
Yeas-Messrs. Abbott, Bayard,
Clifford. Field, Hunton, Payne and
Thurman.
Nayes- Messrs. Bradley, Ed
munds, Frelinghuysen, Garfield.
Hoar, Miller, Morton and Strong S.
Mr.. Edmunds then Withdrew his
and Mr.. Garfield offered
the folIwing. which was adopted by
the foregoing vote reversed:
Resolved, that the four persons,
to-wit., Frederick c. Humphreys,
Charles w. Pearce, William IL.
Holden, and Thomas w. Long. were
iiuly appointed Electors of President
and Vice-President for the State Of
Florida, and that the votes cast 10y |
The aforesaid four persons are the |
votes provided for by the Constitu-
lion of the United States"
The vote in detail on the adoption
Of this resolution was as follows:
Yeas-Messrs, Bradley, Edmunds
Freliughuysen, Garfield, Hoar. Mil
er, Morton and Strong-8.
Nays-Messrs. Abbott, Bayard,
Field, Hunton, Payne and
The formal decision or report to
Congress is very brief, but it is
The phraseology is with.
leld from publicity tonight from
considerations of etiquette, as it is
O be transmitted tomorrow MORN
ng to the President of the Senate.
nd to be by him Immediately laid
'efore the joint session of the two
ouses. Its poin1s, however, can be
tated as follows:
/. The Commission exercising the
overs o: both houses under the
aw, and having examined all the
certificates and papers referred to
hem, find that they have no autllori-
Y to hear evidence dliundi. or in 9TH
r words, to here evidence outside
+ the certificate of the Governor or
ne State of Florida, founded upon
40 determination of the Canvassing
oard of the State as to its vote. I
2. The commission could not con.
der as evidence any act of the
legislature or court in determining
HON the State had appointed as
lectors after the day said Electors '
ave their vote. {
5. In regard to the alleged ineli- c
Ibility OF F. G. Humphreys, there
as not sufficient proof that he held
ice on the 9TH of November. 7
The Secretary of the Commission !