Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-03-07
THE ELECTORAL COUNT.

The Electoral Commission reassembled
In secret session At 1890 q. M, on the 23d, and
remained In consultation on the Oregon case four
and hall hours At three O'Clock. the discus.
SION beint concluded. and Senator Thurman not
having been able to attend on account of Illness,
q recess was taken and committee appointed to
learn from him whether he would come to the
Capitol 10 vote or preferred that the Commits
sion should proceed to his residence and trans
act their business there. The latter was his
wish, and the members Of the Commission pro-
ceeded to Senator Thurman residence Tue
Senator was confined to his bed. and so
remained during the entire session. The Com
mission was called TO order and vote was taken
on the several propositions noted below. Mr..
Edmuuds submitted resolution, 10 the effect
that the certificate signed by Cronln, Miller and
Parker supporting to cast the Electoral vote OF
Oregon, does not contain or certify the Constltu-
tonal votes to which the State liz entitled. JUS
tce Field offered as substitute resolution, de-
claring in substance that j. W. Waits was ineligi.
BILE, on The 18th of November, to the office OF
Elector, within the express terms OF the Consti-
tuition. This substitute was rejected to 8.
Justice Field then offered a resolution, declar-
ing that Odel andCartwright weEethe only persons
chosen az Electors in Oregon. Watts being incl
gbe because be held Office Of profit and
trust under the United States, and that there was
failure on the part of the State 10 elect third
Elector. This was rejeced-7 to 3. Justice
Field offered third resolution, declaring that
the attempted selection OF a third elector by
Odel and Cartwright was imperative. 1t was
rejected by the sane vote tos. Mr. tayard
offered resolution to the effect that the votes of
Odel and Cartwright were the votes provided
for by the Consi tuition, and that they, and
they only, were TIE persons duly appointed
Electors from Orepn, and that these votes and
none others shouldbe counted from the State OF
I oregon. This resolution was also rejected ITO
| s. Mr.. Edmunds' Original proposition was then
/ adopted-ayes, Is; tOes, none. Mr.. Morton then
offered resolution that Odell Cartwright and
Watts the Lawful ELECTORS o; the State OF Ore
eon, and that their votes are the votes provided
for by the Constitution. and should be counted for
/ pnn
to strike ont the nane OF Watts. Disagreed to-
tpS. Mr.. Morton 8 resolution was then adopted
IS lot. The deciuon and report of the Com
mission was then dawn up and signed by the
eight members asserting thereto. in substance as
follows: THE Electoral Commission, having re-
ceNed certain certificates and papers purporting
to be the certificates OF the Electoral votes OF the
Stae OF Oregon, and certain papers accompanying
the same and the objections thereto report that
II has duly considered the same, and has
decided and does hereby decide that the
yotet OF w. Ii. OdeA, J c. Cartwright and j, w.
Watt, the persons named In the certificate of the
Secretary OF the State of Oregon as the persons
receiHng the highest number of votes for Pres-
deniia Electors, The votes provided for by the
Constitution and thar the same are lawfully to
be coutted AS testified to in u certificate OF said
Electou, namely. three votes for Rutherford b.
Hayes, Ohio, for President, and three votes for
VIM. Wheeler for Vice President" The re-
port further sets forth that the election of Watts
BY the other two members Of the Electoral College
WAS in accordance with the Constitution and laws
OF Oregonl The grounds for this decision, 80 far
as they cor tern the eligibility OF Watts are, sub.
stantially, THAT 1t Is competent to go be-
as the same is not founded upon the action OF
the canvsssiAg or returning minority provided
for by the Lawn OF the State, wSich authority in
the case OF Oregon IL held to be the Secretary OF
State. The report also takes the ground that it
is not essentialt to show that an Elector elig-
BILE on the 9TH OF November, provided it be shown
that he WAS eligible when he cast his vote IN the
Electoral College, and the fact appears that the
alleged ineligible Elector, Watts. was chosen to
MI the vacancy caused by his own absoncs from
The Electoral College, and that he vas not ineligi
bic At the time lac cast his vote. The Commits sion
thereupon adjourned to meet in the Supreme
Court room at noon on the Gath.
The two housesof Congress met in Joint
Convention at noon on the 24ih and the decision
OF the Electoral Commission on the Oregon uues-
ton was read, The Presiding officer asked IL
there were any objections to the decision SEN
ator Kelly objected on the grounds: First, that
Watts was not elected; second that he was not
appointed; third, that he was disqualified from
serving as Presidential Elector because he held
an office ofprodt and trust under The United
States; fourth, that Cronin was elected and cast
the legal vote for liden, and that his vote ehould
be so counted There being no further objections
the Senate withdrew TO its chamber to allow both
houses 10 separately consider the m. They reas-
semoied subsequently, and counted the vote OF
Oregon for HAYES When the certificates Of
Pennsylvania we,e read. objection was offered 10
the vote OF Mr. Morrill,. and the Senate retired
Without discussing the question, the House took
u TeCets uulll the Sotl.
The Senate, on the Goth, overruled the
objections In the PENNSYLVANIA case. In the
House, an exciting discussion arose. at the con-
clusion Of which 1t was voted-l85 TO ilQ-that
Brsgs' vote ongh; not % be counted At3:l5 the
Seuate entered the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatlNes, aud both houses went into Joint ses-
sion. The Presiding Officer after The action OF
each house had been stated directed the announce
ment To be made, aud the vote of PENNSYLVANIA
was counted FOR HAYES and Wheeler. " hen Rhode
Island was reached, objections were made to
the vote OF Vim. S Slater. one OF the
Electors, on the ground that his appointment
was unconstitutional and void The Senate re-
urea and o,erruled the objections. and the
House also over uled them. At six O'Clock the
Syuate re entered the chamber, aud the vote Of
hhode Island was after the usual formality
counted for Hayes and heeler The certificates
from South Carolina were next read and ohiec-
lions 10 the Republican certificate were presented
by Mr.. Cochrane and objections to the Demo-
cratic certificate by senator Patterson The obiec-
tons having been read, the Presiding Oficer an
nounced their reference 10 the Electoral Commits
sion, aud the Senate ret red The House took
recess until the fol owing morning The
Electoral Commission re'sscmb,ed after the
two houses had separated. All the mem
eers were present., Mr.. Herman, successor
The list time. The papers referred to the
Commission by the two houses in iulnt session
were read by the Secretary. In response To the
inquiry a. 10 who appeared as directors Mr. uuri
announced that Mr.. CocHrane and himself would
appear as directors 10 certificate No l. Mr. Law
renee said that Senator thri-tanry and himself
would appear for the directors to cesif-
cate Ne. ,. senator Christiancy said he
appeared for the DIRECTORS, but they did not
propose 10 occupy the whole time allowed them
In response to another inquiry as TO who would
appear IS counsel, Mr.. Hurd said be not pre-
pared TO stAe az That time, but would announce
the counsel TO the Commission next morning
Mr.. Matthews stated that MIR. Shellshargtr and
himself would appear TN favor Of certificate. No
/. aif N1rr tha B-,F,