The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
WAITING FOR OREGON.
Close Of the Argument Before the
Electoral Commission.
A SECRET SESSION OF THE TRIBUNAL.
An Adjournment Taken
Until This Morning.
NO. INDICATIONS OF A BREAK
Democrats i'll Caucus at the
Speakers House.
THE COUNT CAN BE DELAYED.
NO. INDICATIONS OF A BREAK
THE COUNT CAN BE DELAYED.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON. Feb. %, 1877
There is moro excitement hero to-day than there
has been for week days. more even than there
during the argument OF the Louisiana case
renewed attempt was made to gather together
forco enough on the democratic side to delay tho
count Of the vote until after the 4th OF Murch
Those who favor this movement were busy all
the afternoon in the House, putting their plans and
ideas before MEMBERS and this evening a meeting
was called at Speaker Randall's house to talk tho
matter over, with the intention to form definite
plan, and gather enough adherents for II to carry It in
a CAUCUS, which will DO called meet as soon as the
Oregon decision becomes known III that 1t is ad-
verse to the democrats Letters received here by
members of Congress and others, from Now York and
the West, show that good deal Of irritation and ex-
ctment exist in those sections
Tho 4th OF March is hand that It would be
possible various to delay the count so that
it would not be completed time shrewd lawyers
among tho democratic extremists among them Messrs
David Dudley Field and PROOF Knott, have been
busy for some days examining the Electoral law with
aview to see how Its intention and spirit can DO
evaded and Mr.. Field declared to-day that it could
undoubtedly be done. Two days ago those who
favored delays Of this kind did not number moro
than forty, and they discouraged because their
numbsr was constantly decreasing, but to-day they
seemed to accessions OF strength, and
follow uniavorable decision in tho Oregon will
strengthen their forces
lithe Speaker Inclined to favor this, by rulings,
IN prolonged attempt at nlbusernF, even SO small
u number as forty fifty desperate men might cause
serious delay but such course would undoubtedly
consisting Of sensible democrats and republicans
could il they wished do so, change tho law which
makes the 4th OF March the beginning OF Presi-
dental term. Section 152 Of tho Revised
Statutes declares that the Presidential term shall.
in all commence the 4th day of March mex
Iicceeding day which the votes OF the electors
have been given 1t is perfectly competent Tor Con
grcss to amend this law TO make the term begin
the 4th day OF April. any other day which It
chooses to name.
The meeting at Speaker Randalps house consisted of
less than twenty gentlemen Several matters were
electoral count ho conclusion was arrived at. 1t was
agreed that in the Army Appropriation bill nothing
should be consented to which could DO used for the
support of the Packard Chamberlain govern
against the election of Mr.. Hayes in case the
Oregon vote should be given him by the commission,
but nothing voted decided on and tho gather
ing was informal and Of no particular Importance.
The streets full of rumors tonight among which
relates that two democratic members OF the com.
Hayes and another that udge Bradley holds that only
two votes be allowed in Oregon, but these rumors
and others lack confirmation.
Whatever may be the result Of tho Presidential dis
pues upon the candidates and their PARTIES the law.
yers, usual in all quarrels Will have had good
timo of It, and tho occasion win remain notable
TO the Bar because several OF the counsel
have greatly added to their rcputstions. Judge
Matthews has long been known as one OF the ablcst
members OF the Western Bar but no has added TO his
mission. which were acknowledged by both sides to be
extremely able, and are generally said by tho demo.
Gratis to be the ablest, the most forciblo and
damaging to them, Of all made by the re-
publican counsel On tho democratic SIDE, Mcssrs
Mcrrck, jerks and Hoadlsy have acquitted them
selves, according to tho opinion OF lawyers, with
especial ability. Mr. jerks, OF the directors in
the Oregon yesterday, was compmented by both
sides for his clear and logical representation of the
case. Mr. Mcrrck, who has appeared in all the cases.
a Washington lawyer having large practice. Judge
Hoadley's argument yesterday was thought to bo u
very powerful logical presentation OF tho democratic
case in Oregon.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1877.
When the Electoral Commission assembled this |
morning to finish tho hearing in the Oregon case there
was large audience present. which, as usual, re-
manned all day attentive observers OF tho proceedings
and interested listeners to the addresses OF Stanley
Matthews and Mr. Evarts, on the republican side, and
Mr.. Mcrrick, who closed the case for the democrats.
SPEECH OF STANLEY MATTHEWS.
Mr.. Matthews began followg-
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN COMMISSION
Life is series OF SURPRISES and tho succession Of the
arguments which havc taken place before tins CON-
mission IS no exception, but rather illustration OF
that truth. When the OF Florida was opened by
tho learned counsel who is to conclude the argument
in this no assumed and argued, as our position that
tho certificate OF the Governor OF the State accompany
ing the list of the electors conclusive could not DO
set aside could not DO contradced and among first
words which had the honor IN reply to say in tho
presence OF this honorable commission, was com.
PEELED to remove that misapprchension the part OF
the adverse counsel and to say we held no such
doctrine, and the course OF tho argument stated
our proposition In this way:-"But. Mr.. President
hahi