Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-12
BY TELEGRAPH.
From Washington.
THE SENATE.


WASHINGTON. D. G., February II. The
Senate met at teo o'clock.
1t was decided that 10 recess could be taken
until the count Of the electoral vote Of Florida
had been proceeded With, and that in the mean
time 10 other business could be transacted.
So the Senate remained in session, ready to
proceed to the House, until Two o'clock, when
it went iuto joint session with the House.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House mct at 10 o'clock, but the point
being made that there was not quorum pres
ent-a pateot fact-it was agreed that nothing
should be done until balf.past ten, at which
time
The report of the electoral commission was
taken up and
Mr.. Field, IF n. Y, offered a resolution
that the decision Of tic electoral commission
on the Florida case be rot accepted, but that
the democratic electors from that State be de-
clared elected.
Mr.. Hale, Of Me-, offered as an amendment
that the electoral vote Of Florida be counted
10 conformity with the decision Of the COM
mission.
Mr.. Kuolt, Of Ky, offered as a substitute
preamble and resolution denying the election
OF the Hayes electors, and asserting the cleo
ton oil the TiIdeo electors, as shown by the
acton Of the Legislature and courts OF that
State, as fully exhibited, aud giving to the
commission an opportunity to correct their de-
cision, for which purpose the report shall be
rcmandcd Tor correction or explanation.
Mr. Hale commended that the House could
not entertain Mr.. Knott's proposition under
the electoral bill, and that all the House could
do would be to veto 90 the report Of the COM
mission.
Mr. Wood, of N. Y, thought that the
House had right to express its opinion in
aoy manner it might think proper. lie de-
MED that there was any intention to delay &C.
ton 90 the part Of the democrats.
MIR. Hale said that Mr. kaott's proposition
carried delay upon its facr, and contended that
there could be 10 rcrommital
Mr.. Knott contendcd that there was 90 eVl.
deuce 10 any certificate from Florida, except
that marked 8. that canvass OF the vote had
e9er been made, and that certificate having
been thrown out, it was perfectly competent
for the House to remand the decision to the
commission, that it may have an opportunity
to correct its decision 10 accordance with facts,
and that iu the meantime Tie vote OF that
State should not be counted
Mr.. Banks coutended that the substitute
of Mr. Knott was DOT 10 order, and could not
bo entertained uUdcr the provisions Of the
! electoral bill.
Mr.. Wood thought that 90 constitutional!
right would be violated by the adoption Of the
substitute
| Mr.. Banks contended that all that could be
done was to vote aye or no upon the decision
of the commission.
Mr. kuott asked if the commission were to
| End that it had made mistake would it not
be competent to send back its opinion.
Mr.. Banks said that if the commission asked
for the return of its decision it would be com
| petent to return it, but not otherwise.
The point was further debated By Nlessrs
Wood, Burchard and others, when
The Speaker overru!ed the objection to the
consideration ct Mr.. Knots substitute, bu
upon point made by Mr. Wilson, of Iowa
radical. that nothing could be referred to al
outside commission, by either House, the sub
\ st;tuta vas rnled ont and