, 1877-02-10

DOuv else, we OuSnI 10 go. III may ne
question for consideration whether time
would warrant US in receiving and print
ing everything that might be proposed
ON either side.
Thurman President, it is true the
statute requires papers and accompanying
certificates to be laid before the commits
sion, but it also authorizes the commits
sion to take into view all documents, dc.
positions and other papers that may be
competent and pertinent in its inquiry
and il we have received papers from
either of the houses which, in the estima,
tiun of the House, it is proper to send
US, we must look at them and see wheth-
er they are competent and pertinent. |
think, therefore, the motion to print
ought TO be adopted: that will not de.
lay us in having before us tomorrow
morning, as early as we see fit to meet,
printed copies OF the certificates and oh.
jections. We can give directions that
they shall be sent to us Immediately, and
printing these other papers Can go on.
Knowing the great rapidity with which
work is done Mt the Government print
ing office, do not think we should have
to wait very long.
Finally Abbott withdrew his motion
temporarily and the President called for
the names of the counsel on either side.
Field named O'Conor, Black, Trumbull
and Merrick. 1t being remarked that
not over two counsel would be allowed
to participate in the argument on each
side, Field said they had not selected
those two, but would this evening.
Evarts named es Republican counsel,
stoughton, Stanley, Mathews, Shellsbar-
ger and himself. After some converse
tion, Sargent said it was decided that Nc
Carly and Kasson would present each
side from counsel on the conference.
Edmunds moved that the commission
adjourn till 1880 to morrow; agreed
to, with the understanding that the re-
mainder of the day might be spent in
consultation, but not in any public ses.
sion.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The electoral
commission met at 1890 this morning.
The Presiding Justice said it had been
asked yesterday, "What is the case p
to which he had replied, it consists Of
three certificates with accompanying
papers and objections to the same. He
would state that two objectors on each
side would be allowed to speak on the
opening of the case; those representing
objections number one, which was pre-.
sented by Field, would speak first, and
under the fourth rule would be allowed
two hours to state their case and argue
in support of the objections.
Field asked whether after the object.
ors had spoken: and the opening oh.
lection was made, any reply would be
allowed.
Justice Clifford stated that the rules
made no provision for reply.
Field then opened the argument as an
objector in the case of Florida, and ar
gued in favor Of going behind the face
of the returns on the ground that if this
could not be done the American people
would be in u position of standing
powerlcss in the face Of the gigantic
fraud.
He was followed by Representative
Tucker, another of the obiectors, IN the
same side of the case. Senator Sargent
and William L. Chandler being familiar
with the subject, are the Republican
counsel.
Field reviewed the action OF the Flor
ida returning board and OF Governor
Stearns, and read from evidence taken
before the House committee to show that
the votes of precincts had been thrown
out without n particle of evidence, and !
upon the mere suppositional belief that |
intimidation had been practicetl. The
votes of JohnsOnVilIe and Darhyyille