New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-21
THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY.
THE HOUSE REJECTS LOUISIANA.


AND cRAPo.
[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRrBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb.20.-The progress made with
the electoral count to-day was very satisfactory.
Ten o'clock found quorum in the House. The
Western fhbusters were not slow to suggest
further recess until IL o'clock but the fiat of the
Democratic caucus emphasized az it was by the pro-
ceedings of last evening could no longer be dlsre-
earded by those who loyal to their party organi-
lation. The faction favorng delay succeeded in
nothing except to demonstrate its weakness.
Fernando Wood put in a word in favor
of proceeding Immediately to business, but
as no quorum was present call OF
the House. which occupied about half an hour, III
teryeued before the regular work could be begun
Mr. Gibson of louisiana who, during the joint ses-
sion of yesterday, presented the principal protest
against the award of the Commission, offered the
customary resolution declaring that the certificate
of the Hayes electors from his State should not be
accepted. Mr.. Hurlbut moved to strike out the
word not" and then the discussion began In earn
est.
The whole debate was distinguished for its mod
Grafton. Of course there were some extreme
sDeeches and few bitter denunciations of the Com
mission and of the party which profits by its decis-
ion But the whole tone of the discussion proved
the wisdom of the delay which has allowed the
anger of hot-headed men to cool down and their
Judgment to resume at least partial sway over their
actions The first speech of the day which attracted
general attention that of Mr.. Seelye of Massa-
chusetts His course in regard to the election In the
Southern States has been consistent during the
whole session. In company with his colleague, MT
Pierce and with Mr.. Willard of Michigan 1t may be
remembered he voted in favor of sending investl-
eating committees to the three Southern States
in which contests existed. and for it they were de-
Lotl, ,lv md in as
their party. No member of the House has devoted
himself more conscieno usly to study of the testi-
monv which these committees have reported than
Prof Seelye. As a member of Mr.. KnOtPs Committee
on the Powers and Privileges of the House, he has
been constant witness of the investigations con-
ducted by David Dudley Field and on more than
one occasion has by well-drected questions
OF by careful study of the facts been
able to bring out fragments OF testimony which
have thrown @ strong light into dark corners, the
contents of which Democrats were not anxious to
reveal Although he and his colleague, Mr.. Pierce,
stood alone to-day the only men in the party who
voted against the award of the Commission, aud the
conclusions at which they have arrived are in con-
flc with those reached by all their political asso-
GATES their votes, given in accordance with Their
best Judgment and the dictates OF their consciences,
have raised rather than degraded them in the estima-
ton of their party friends. Mr.. Seeye said
that il often happens that both sides Of
DISPUTE might be right in what they charge and
wrong in what they deny and he had been unable
to satisfy his own mind that either set of returns
opened by the President of the Senate represented
the true will Of the people of Louisiana. lie closed
his speech, which was only five minutes in length
with most eloquent passage, calling attention TO
the danger of taking any action which should seem
10 make the triumph of fraud assured.
sneeches Of Mr. .TOycp of Vermont Mr. Levy OF
Louisiana MIR. Townsend of Pennsylvania, Nh. Nc
Mahon Of Ohio, and Mr. Rice attracted compare
lively little attention The Republicans reviewed
aud dwet upon the alleged acts OF intimidation, yio-
lence and murder by which the State of Lou
isana had apparently been carried for MI
Tden. The Democrats prated, as usual,
about the infamy of the action of the Returning
Board, the trap into which they had been enticed
when they voted for the Electoral Commission BILL
and the swindle by which the Commission had
recommended the counting OF the Hayes votes from
that State.
Mr. Grape a Republican member Of the Louisiana
Investigating Committee, who visited the Parish OF
0uachlta and became singularly familiar with all
the facts connected with the election in the State,
made very temperate and judcious speech.
While he held that there had been violence
and intimidation which justified the Re
turning Board in throwing out the votes OF
some parishes. he at the same time expressed great
sympathy with the white people of Louisiana, VINO
saw their Offices OF profit and trust filled by lncom-
petent colOred men and strangers At the same time
De defended the action of the Returning Board IN
general, and while not undertaking to Justify 1t III
every detail. he called attention to the assumed
necessity for such Tribunal raised by the condition
Of affairs in louisiana
Henry Watterson is one of the few members who
ALWAYS listened 10 atto whenever they
speak upon any subject His voice is so sympa-
thetle bis style Of Oratory so eloquent, and his
manner so pleasing, that whether he speaks on the
hght side or the wrong OF any question, everybody
hkes to listen TO him. His remarks to-day occupied
only four or five minutes and in the main wise
and conservative in their character. The only
u'teTance which marred their good effect was the
childish assertion that the Democratic party had
oeen duped INTO a support Of the Electoral bill.
Mr.. Cox Of New-York made the funny speech of
me DAY, dwelling upon the word "alunde," used
py the Electoral Commission in its decisions. lie
made very forcible point for his side by calling up
one after another what he assumed to be the facts
regard to the Louisiana case, and then quoting as
The answer Of the Commission TO each accusation,
Ahunde, aundc." His speech good-natured
throughout and although il contained some pretty
sharp thrusts at tie Republicans IT received
with roars of laughter, which not confined to
one side Of the house. When he saw the Speakers
gavel raised and about to cut him off
IN the midst Of one of his happiest
Passages. he undertook TO read a quotation
from large copy Of the Bible which lay before him
On his desk As he took it up in bis hands aud
opened il at the place. the gave fell, and although
be attempted to read the passage the Republicans
ebgected, and his words were drowned in tue din