Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-19
Congressional Democratic Caucus.

At the Congressional democratic caucus,
held last Saturday evening, eighty-nlne mem
bcrs and twenty Senators we're present. Hester
Clymer, OF Pennsylvania, presided, and W. ii.
Robbins, of North Carolina, was secretary.
A resolution was offered proposing to aban-
too the Commission, but this received only
thirteen votes. Mr. Cocbrane, of Pennsyl7a-
MIA, offered a preamble and resolution substan-
tally as follows -
Whereas The Electoral Commission was
created in good faith, with a view to The exam
inatiou OF evidence aud all questions which
pertain TO the disputed votes Of Florida, Louis
lana, aud Oregon.
Ind, achereas Said Commission, in disre-
gard of their oaths, iraudulenly refused to
obey the law aud the will Of the people by de-
ieatiug such examination; therefore,
ReSolced That it is the duty OF Congress,
which it ewes to tho democratic party aud the
American people, to defeat the fraudulent acts
of said Commission by all means known 10 The
Constitution and laws, to the end that all posi-
BILE delays may be interposcd, dlIatory moloua
made, and objections interposed to the vote OF
every State yet to be counted, with the view
oil multiplying issues and thereby defeating the
inauguration Of usuper.
Mr.. Reagan Of Texas, offered the following
resolution as = substitute for the above
namely -
Reso7red, That the count Of the Electoral
vote shall proceed without dilatory opposition
10 the orderly execution Of the act OF Congress
| creating the Electoral Commission. whose deer
cordaucc with the provisions Of the said Law.
nd fnu RuSDrI
| one side it was commended that the conception
OF tribunal to adjust controvertcd questions
| was sublime act of craftsmanship, ircIghtcd
| with the hopes aud wishes Of the nation, but
the result was disappointment, mixed with
grief aud misfortune. 1t would, however, be
| Injurious 10 the democratic party, who so
strongly supported the Electoral bill, il they
did not now abide the result in good faith: On
the other side it was urged that it would be
| better TO have an nterregnum, and Tor the
presiding officer Of the Senate to act az prcsl.
dent until there could be new election, rather
than submit to fraud, which should be de-
feated by all meaus known TO the Constitution
and rules Of the House.
Among those who advocated Mr.. Coc!irane s
proposition were Messrs Thompson, OF Massa.
chusctts; IIurd and Southland, Of Ohio, and
| Lynde, Of Wisconsin; and among those who op.
posed it were MessrS Brown, Of kentucky;
Reagan, OF Texas; Singleton, OF mississippi;
Hill, of Georgia, and Senators Bayard and
| kernan.
Mr.. Bright, Of Temp, offered the following
amendment to MIR. Reagan's resolution, uanie-
ly but this resolution is accompanied with
| the solemn and earnest protest Of the democrat
| ic party against the gross and shameless viola
tions of law, Justice aud truth contained III
the decisions OF the majority who signed the
same in the cases Of Florida and Louisiana.
The resolution Of Mr.. Reagan as amended !'y
| Mr.. Bright, the whole being o substitute Tor
Mr.. Cocbranc's proposition, was adopted by 4
vote Of yeas GO, nays 10.
Mr.. Field, of n. Y, offered resolution Tor
the appointment of committee OF live to III
ouire whether it would be expedient to with
bold appropriations for the support OF the 81.
my. Mr.. Mills, of n. T., moved to lag the
resolution Gu the table, saying to withhold such
supplies would be revolutionary; the effect
would be to alarm the country, and therefore
he should oppose any such legislation 70 the
bitterest end Mr. Field withdrew his resolu.
ton.
Messrs Field ard Tucker. OF Va, suggested
there be an adjourned meeting Of the caucus,
| but this was objected to and all adjournment
then took place.
The following resolution Was offered by Mr.
Mailing, Of Ohio, but received only thirteen
votes -
! Resolred, That in view Of the fact that the
so-calcd Electoral Commission have refused to
receive evidence Of the frauds charged in the
recent elections or the eligibility Of Electors, il:
is our duty as caucus representatives Of the
people to do TO further legislation, not recognlz,
Jog said Commission or meet in joint session
! to further count the electoral vote under its
| decision.