New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-10

On Wednesday, the seventh instant, the
commission met at ten O'Clock, and re-
NAMED in secret session fer some hours,
during which time each member of the
body was heard. Finally, the commission,
by 9 vote of against z, decided that no
evidence be admitted or considered by them
in the Florida case, except the various
electoral certificates, and such evidence as
shall be submitted on the question of the
eligibility of Humphreys as q presidential
electOr. The vote stood in favor Of this de-
cisiOn: Justices Strong, Miller and Brad.
lev, Senators Edmunds, Morton and Fre-
linghuysen, and Representatives Garfield
and HOar; against, Justices Clifford and
Field, Senators Thurman and Bayard, and
Representatives Paine, Hunton and Abbott.
On Thursday the doubtful electOr, Hum
phreys, was sworn, He submitted letter
from Hon. w. B. Woods, circuit Judge,
dated October 2, acknowledging receipt of
Humphreys resignation; another directing
the duties of the commissioner to be dis
charged by the collector of the port for the
time being; and another from Collector
Potter, of Pensacola, dated October 5, call
ing ON Humphreys to turn over his books,
papers and records. Witness had had
nothing to do with the Office since the date
of Collector POtter's letter to him.
The case was then given over for argu-
ment, each side having two hours time to
consume in debate.
On Friday the commission, by q vote of
to Z. decided that the four electoral votes of
Florida should be counted for Hayes and
Wheeler. A final report was signed by
Bradley, Edmunds, Erellnghuysen, Gar
field, Hoar, Miller, Morton and Strong.
In the formal report 20 the joint session
the commission viii assign the following
reasons for their decision:
l. The commission exercising the powers
of both houses, under the law, and having
examined all the certificates and papers re-
ferred to them, find that they have no au-
thOrity to hear evidence Gliundi, or in other
words 70 hear evidence outside the certih.
Gates of the Governor Of the State of
Florida, founded upon the determination Of
the canVassing board as to its vote.
9. The commission could not consider "a
evidence any act Of the Legislature, OF
courts, in determining whom the State had
appointed as electors after the day the said
electors gave their votes.
3. In regard to the alleged ineliRibility Of
=, G. Humphreys, there was not sufficient
proof that he held Office on the seventh Oi
November.
The commission continued in session unit
/ half.past eight o'clock. Each Of the fifteeT
members made an elaborate statement o.
| his views of the case, and the following
resolution was adopted;
RcsolVed, That the four persons, to wit
/ Fred. G. Humphreys, Charles w. Pearce
i william II. Holden and Thomas w. Long
/ are duly appointed electors of Presiden
| aud Vice President for the State Of Florida
/ and that the votes cast by the aforesai'
i four persons are the votes provided for b.
the consultation Of the United States.
The vote in detail on this resolution wa
! as follows:
Yeas-Bradley, Edmunds, FrelinghuyHen
Garfield, Hoar, Miller, Morton and Strong
Nays-Abb0tt, BayaTd, Clifford, Hunton
Payne and Thurman.
In the Gaze Of Humphreys, Judge CHI
/ ford Yves Of the opinion that holding th
otioe Of chipping commissioner would hav
| rendered him Ineligible, but that his tesll
nation Of the ofios before the election VA
valid, and in this view Of tie case Actio
on tho objection az hln v0ta. made hg Ser
/ ator Joneh, Of Florida, wa1 abandoned
These proeeedinaa win b. presented !
joint eo11Iou to-day, when TIE sem
: wiz prorIoa1 If LQr'lIana.