The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-19
EXCITING SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

House Democrats were In their seats
promptly at 10 this morning, but imme-
diately took recess until II NJ. After,
the journal and Justice Clitiord's notice
of the decision had been read, Lamar
hastily arose and offered resolution. that
the Senate be notified the House would
receive them in convention on Monday at
IL O'clock, upon which: he called the
previous question:. = .Kusson, OF Iowa,
made his voice heard above the noise Of
the Speakers gavel, and, though ordered to
sit down, succeeded in calling attention to
the clerk OF the Senate awaiting at the door
to communicate message on that subject.
Cries came from the Democratic side, "Iou
don't know what the message is"
Kasson was ruled out OF order. and the
resolution was passed by 152 to III, few
Democrats voting in the negative. Rainey
(coIored), of South Carolina, announced
that he had paired wits Douglas, OF Viz
giDia.
The Senate clerk was Allowed to announce
that the Senate was ready to meet In joint
session, but no furthey attention was
given it. .
SayIer tried to make his report on South
Carolina, but was cut off by objections on
the Republican side; and Lamar promptly
took the floor and moved fora recess until
Monday, which was agreed to- Republicans
generally voting "No."
gALK ABOUT THE SITUATION.
From 10 to Il o'clock members Of the
House gathered in little groups about the
hall, engaging in earnest and often heated
conversations upon the situation. Jerry
Black sat by Garfield, who appeared to be
on very familiar terms with him. They
laughed and chatted for an hour. Garfield
sometimes holding the lapel OF Blacks
coat, and poking his thumb to'his ribs
once or twice. Abbott had an earnest talk
with Hoar, and then with Seelye, and then
Hoar took seat with Black and: Garfield.
Afterwards Thurman, Field, and Black had
conference on the other side of the House.
The Republicans feel they have GER
tainty of success before them, and don't
care what course their opponents may take,
Morton says the decisions Of the Commits
sion conform strictly to the Constitution,
and he deplores the partisan votes OF the
Democratic commissioners. Ferry, too, re-
grets the perverse party votes Of the Dem
ocrats, and calls attention to the fact that
in no instance did they vote with the Re
publicans, but that Bradley did vote with
the Democrats upon an important question
OF evidence. This kind OF talk provokes the
Democrats, very few Of whom are willing
to admit its truth, or can see any joke in il.
BEST OF A BAD BARGAIN.
"The impudent remarks OF these fellows
are almost as annoying as the decision OF
their TRIBUNAL" Senator Bayard SAYS. - !.
The electoral bill was framed with honest
intentions, but its object was defeated by
the appointment of two bitter partisans,
Garfield and Morton. Deplorable as is the
result, he thinks it should be acquiesced in.
Senator Whyte, who opposed but voted
for the bill, says 1t was compact, and, for
one, he is in favor of making the best of a
bad bargain. -'..s
The Democrats who voted against Lamar's
motion to postpone the joint convention
until Monday were Southland, Savage, and
Walling, of Ohio; Gordon, OF Kansas
Potter, of Michigan; Raymond, OF In
diana; Tarbox, Of Massachusetts; Wells,
of Missouri, and Whitehouse, Of New York
HOW WELLS TRIED TO GET 100000 FROM THR
DEMOCRATS. ...
Duncan i. Kenner, wealthy Louisiana
planter, charged by Wells with attempting
to bride him to give the vote OF that State
for Tilden, was examined before the Knott
Field committee this morning. 1t looked
rather like holding post-mortem eXamina
ton on the carcass Of the unfortunate State
but it is we'll to get at the truth through TIT
committee, as the Commission has failed.
Mr.. Kenner, respectable-looking ole
gentleman, gave his testimony quietly ane
candidy. He said the true story was tina
he met Wells on the street about the It'll
OF November, and had some conversation
about political affairs. Kenner told him tn
condition OF Louisiana was due to n,isrul
and oppressive taxation, and he would lik
to have an honest count Of the votes cas-
for Governor. Wells said he didn't wan
to lose the goodwill OF his old friends, AM
would talk freely about the matter. 81
was, he said, partisan, but he did no
wish TO do wrong; yet if he broke with hi
party he would have to give up his office
Packard, he said, had not promised him an,
Office, nor did he want one. As he was get
ting old, the direct compensation he ex
pected to get would enable him to retire ii
comfortable circumstance and live in quie
Tor the remainder Of his days.
Mr.. Kenner advised him not to trust t.
promises from Packard and Kellogg; t
which Wells replied, "promises will no
: answer. r .'.,@
= = ~''''' THIS is A BIG THING,
; the biggest I ever had anything to d
with" Kenner asked If he didn't think i
would be better to receive small sum 70
doing right than larger amount for doinI
wrong. Wells assented to that, and re
marked that 1t would be easier to count il
Nichols than Packard. Kenner then toll
him he would be compensated for dom,
right, and an appointment was made TO
another interview, but as Kenner could no
raise among his party friends 100000 de
manded by Wells, the latter could not Sc
the way clear to engage to make a f;tl
count. .9>.-
,Kenner. under 'compulsion, gave the com
mittee the names Of Democrats in Louis1
ana who agreed to give sums varying fror