The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-02


Agreed to.
Adjourned.
~ Especial dispatch to the Baltimore sun.I t,
Inside History Of the Electoral Conn
mission. ..s.la-..t -
WHAT THEY SAID IN SECRET SESSION-DIsCCs-
SION OF THE DISPUTED sTATES--SENAToR
BAYARD ON JUDGE BoND..THE PARTISAN DE-
CIsIoNs OF THE COMMISSION, &c. - 49,
IS WASHINGTON, February 2S.-A few bits
of the inside history OF the Electoral Com
mission Will be interesting. While the
Louisiana case was under consideration
MIR. Justice Miller read an opinion that it
was perfectly competent for the four mem
bers of the Louisiana Returning Board to
canvass the vote, notwithstanding that the
law said the vacancy must be filed. Repre-
sentative Abbott said, "Judge, let me read
you an opinion from Woolworth's reports"
and read from decision Of Justice Miller,
on the Circuit bench, in which he laid down
the doctrine that the acts OF certain Coun-
ty Board of Canvassers were void because
they had neglected to fill vacancy. Justice
miller was completely dumb-founded, and
did not undertake to make the least reply.
Representative Payne, in the same case
made speech, in which he ironically eulo-
cized Senator Edmunds for his non-parti-:
san course when the electoral bill was be-
fore the Senate, and expressed his deep re-:
eret that the able Senator from Vermont
would not now rise above party and give
his voice for Justice. Mr.. Edmunds recipro-
Gated the compliment by clapping his hands
in applause Mfr. Payne then turned his at
tention to Justice Bradley, whom he adj
dressed as the fifteenth mantle Warwick,
the king-maker. He told Justice Bradley
that the decision depended upon his vote,
and implored him to act as Judge and not
partisan. He said the people Of the coun-
try had always entertained the highest re-
gard for the Supreme Court, and it depend
ed llpon Justice Bradley whether they
would hereafter look upon it with con-
tempt. Justice Miller then interposed and
said they were all the fifteenth man, and the
result did not depend upon the vote Of JUS
tice Bradley any more than it did upon the
vote of any Of the others. ~
Tn the Florida case General Garfield was
displaying his partisanship and want Of de-
cency in an exceedingly bitter speech Of the
bloody-shirt order, filled with allegations OF
all sorts Of crimes against the southern
people. Justice Field tried to stop him two
or three times, and said as evidence had
been excluded it was hardly competent to
enter on such line Of argument. Justice
Clifford said Mr.. Garfield had the floor, and
it was his privilege to go on in his own
way. Justice Field only made one set
speech during the entire sittings OF the
Commission, which was on the Florida case,
when he took strong ground against the
ridiculous plea that the two houses and the
Commission were to be no more than pas
~ q PRO I1dS urhipt, had haan
committed.
Justice Field, however, asked great
MANY questions When Justice Miller was
arguing that no power existed to 60 behind
the certificates, he asked: "Suppose the
Constitution said that none but white men
were eligible as electors, and a negro was
elected, must the certificate be given to
him ~ Justice Miller replied that he would
have no right to look at his face. Justice
Field: But suppose you did look at his
face and saw that be was black" Justice
Miller said: 81 would be compelled to give
him the certificate if he was elected-eVen
il it was a woman. would have no power
to refuse, as the Constitution and LAWS do
not provide remedy" '-t,' a.l..' ..1"
Mr. Bayard appeared to take the most in
terest in the proceedings OF the Commission,
giving his earnest attentio to every point.
Judge Thurman did not talk much, being
too much indisposed. He made, however,
speeches OF length on both the Florida and
Louisiana cases, which were very able. JUS
tice Clifford took less part in the discussions
of the Commission than any other member,
and did not occupy twenty minutes alto
gether. ~ - -@:% t"-t J.. co., ID.
Before the discussion in the Oregon case
had fairly begun Justice Clifford said al
want it distinctly understood that do not
endorse the Cronin vote" Representative,
Abbott, in an impassioned argument on the
Louisiana case in favor OF the Tilden cleo
tors, said: "DIy God cannot act other
wise, on nv conscience, after taking the
oath which we all have."' Justice Strong
said 81 hope and believe we are all acting
accord ding to our conseiences." r q; -, r.
Last night, on the South Carolina case,
Justice Miller read paper, carefully pre-
pared in advance, giving the reasons Tor his
decision. Mr.. Payne said those are nat
reasons. they. are arguments. Justice Mil
7ler said az am sorry we cannot please
you, gentlemen; we would like to."', GOV.
ernor Morton made exactly the same speech
In the Commission last night as, be made, in,
tine Senate this afternoon, appealing direct
Iy to the partisan preiudices OF the. Supreme
Court Justices. He told. them that ballot,
box stnfing to carry an election was not so,
bad rs murder ~ - ,.,<,,,.-,..ir..i's.,r
Senator Bayard advocated throwing ont
the vote of South Carol lima .on the sole
ground OF Federal Intim idation through.
the" illegal use of troops and deputy mar
ishals' 1h the course OF his remarks he eS-,
eoriateds the notorious Judge: Bond most
tearfuily. He said that it was a matter OF
doubt with him which, was the more mex
cusable, the unlawful action Of. the Presir
dent or the course Of Bond in bis Interior
ence. He said ''f there is any one case
in which injustice and outrage Is more
shocking than another, IL is that OF man
assuming to be the minister of Justice. and
defiling her sanctuafy."! The action Of Bond
was the most monstrous Federal interior
ence OF all. II mot here, he believed that.
hereafter this,uni Just Judge would, suffer for
his Grimes cHe would repeat, in the Ian.
igliage OF st, Patil. &c God shall srlite thee,
thou whited wall, for'sittest thou to Judge
me after the law, and 'eomtha dest me to be
smitten contrary TO the law - 's.sla'sss
la when the vote Was taken In the South,
Carolina case, Mr. Abbott said he; was in
doubt but should vote against counting the
vote The rssoiu Of Mi. Morton, Which,
we're passed,by the esfdsa ssIon last hight,
IVeere! drawn up BY and were in tile hand
writing Of Justice Bradley, and are couched