The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-03-01
THE ELECTORAL BILL.
repsor TIE BIZ a0 It Passed the Senate.

After an all night session devoted to
debate, the senate on the tWenty-htth1
passed the Joint committees electoral
bill by the overwhelming vote OF Al TO
l7--mOre than twO-thirds. go,
On the 26th the house passed the bill
by vote of 191 TO SO.
First-It is q temporary measure de-
signed for the settlement of questions
issue in the present complication only,
and not intended as a rule to govern
future electoral counts.
Second-The time for beginning the
electoral count Is changed from February
IA to February l.
Third-The two houses meet in the hall
of the house of representatives as hereto
fore, and everything pretending to be
certificate is opened by The president OF
the senate and handed to the tellerb, of
which there are four, two from each house,
the certificates being opened in alpha
batiCal order of the states, beginning with
the letter A.
Fourth-When certificate has been
read the president of the senate calls for
objections, which must be in writing
and argued by at least one senator and
one representative, whether there be
only one or two returns from the state,
in the case of which objection is made.
Fifth-If there is only one return. the
senate withdraWs and the objections are
considered in the following manner:
/. The presiding officers state the OBJ
iections, and each senator and TepTesen-
tative may speak ten minutes and not
Oftener than once, but the main question
shall be put after two hours debate.
II. A recess may be taken until ten
o'clock the next day, pending the con-
sideratiOn of any objection, and the
house may transact legislative business
while waiting the action of the other ON
objections.
III. When the two houses have voted
they Immediately meet again, and the
presiding officers announce their de-
cisiOns.
Nv. Hbotb concur in the objection it
is sustained, and if they disagree it is
Overruled.
Sixth-If there are two returns the
objections are referred to a commission
whose composition, and mode of action
are thus stated:
I. Each of the houses elect five mem
bers by viva vOce vote on January 80,
and the associate justices of the supreme
court assigned to the following districts,
first Custice Cliford), third Ciustice !
Strong), eighth (iustice MilIer), and |
ninth Gustice Field, choose a fifth Jus |
tice, who with themselves will form part |
of the commission.
II. The oldest justice (CIiford) pre-
sides over the commission and admins
ters a special oath to its members to i'm
partially examine and to consider all |
questions.
III. 1t is not in the power of either
house to dissolve the commission or with |
draw any of its members, but they fill !
caused by the death or inability
to act of any of their respective members,
and the remaining justices in the same
manner replace any Of the justices if a
arises among them from the same
causes.
~. The commission is given the same
powers, now possessed by the two houses
acting separately or together, to decide
upon the electoral votes, and submits its
decision in writing to the two houses,
which thereupon meet again in joint !
session.
V. The counting of the votes proceed
in conformity with the decision of this
unless upon objection made
to it in writing, signed by five senators
and representatives., the two houses con-
order otherwise.
Seventh-the certificates being opened
and read in the alphabetical order of
states, when objection is made to the
vote Of any state, no other certificate is
opened until the objections are acted
upon and finally disposed of.
Eighth--While in joint session no
debate is permitted, and no motion, ex-
cept to withdraw, allowed. Debate can
only be had in separate session, already
specified, and adjournment only as
provided when the two houses are con-
3idering objections.
Ninth-Nothing in the act is to be re-
garded as imparing or affecting any right |
under the constitution or laws to ques-
ton the right or tital of whoever shall be
declared president by proceeding in the
courts.
VITAL STA TISTICS.