The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-02-01
HOUSE.

Alter executive session Ile 0elldle au-
jomned,
HOUSE.
Washington, Jan. 26.-The House was
called to order at 10 o'clock, when but
few members were present.
The House was Immediately called to
order and to-day's legislative session was
opened with prayer. The reading of the
journal of Yesterday was postponed.
The Speaker announced the following
elect Committee on the use of troops in
the Presidential election, Messrs Wood
Goode, Southard, Throckmorton, Cald'
we'll, Smith ga. Harrison, Kasson, Fos-
ter. Eames and Page.
The discussion OF the Electoral bill
was at once resumed, and Messrs. Hook
er, Hartridge and FELTON, spoke in favor
ofthe bill, and against the claim that the
Vice President had right to count the
Electoral vote.
Mr.. Mills opposed the bill, yet said
there we're some good things in it. 1t
silenCed the pretense that the President
of the Senate had had the power to
count the votes. At the expiration of
Mr.. Miss time the point of order was
raised that he could not speak more than
ten minutes, according to the agreement
made yesterday, but after some discus
sion his time was extended to one hour,
and 4 o'clock was fixed as the time for
calling the previous question.
Mr. Mills having used up his extended
time, Mr.. Baker, of Ind, declare d the
measure unconstitutional, criticised it
for excluding from the Commission the
Chief Justice, characterzing the dscrim-
ination an odious and unjust reflection
on a wise magistrate.
Mr.. Lamar followed saying that the
fallacy of the opposition was in the as
sumption that the power claimed, either
on one hand for both houses or on the
other for the Vice President to count the
votes, was legislative act by legisla-
tive body. 1t was nosuCh thing. A leg |
islative body could not act without hav.
ing the President approve that action
1t was an organized body, clothed with
the single function to count the votes, as
the Democrats contended, or to witness
the count, as the Republicans held; and
therefore the bill was not delegation of
legislative authority.
Mr., Lamar then concluded his speech,
saying the bill eliminated the swo d from
the controversy and sent 1t to tribunal
whose character guaranteed justice, right
and truth in it's decision.
Mr.. Watterson next took the floor and
was listened to with rapt attention. He
said it might not be true that the country
stood on the brink of civil war, but it
was true that great danger threatened
every public interest He wished to en-
Weigh against no man or party, but that
a we'll organized conspiracy to place in
the Presidential office a man who had
not been elected existed, he most con-
scientiously believed. The Democratic
party was strong enough to make its exit
from power by great sectional war
The Republican party was strong enough
now to preCipitate the country into civil
war. If the two houses failed to agree
on some plan to tide over the great
emergency, the country would see the
Senate declare Hayes elected and it
would see the President of the United
States supported by the army and navy,
prepared to seat him in office.
Mr.. Hurbut Ills. argued against the
bill, and said every form of influence,the
weight of the Senate, the reputation of
its supporters here, occasional threats by
injudicious men of possible civil war,
and possible complications had been
brought TO bear en- the House to induce
individual members to forego their own
conclusion and their own views of what
the Constitution required of them.
Mr.. Hill, Ga. gave to the bill his hearty {
and warm approval. Speaking of the {
South he said; have been witness of {
the sorrows of that people and willing {
sharer Of all their suferings; may / there {
fore be pardoned on this occasion for cal {
ling the attention of the House and of {
the country to the spirit which has been {
manifested by that derided people during {
this entire controversy. On another oc- |
casion defended their manhood, their |
their humanity from what | |
knew to be unjust charges Ifthe answer |
then was unsatisfactory let the further |
answer be found in the spirit which the |
people of the South have manifested dur |
ng the last sixty days. There is scarcely I
, man in that country who does not be-
ieve the Democratic ticket was elected
and who does not believe that all that
they have remaining Of property, ofright
and Of justice depends upon the inaugu-
ration of that ticket; yet during this
whole controversy Il say it with pride /
and pleasure) the South has manifested
but one spirit, and that has been the
spirit Of offorbearance, of kindness and of
fairness. With the chains of the usurper
still on her limbs-with the greed of the
stranger rifing her already exhausted
cofers-with the army of the United
States now scattered throughout her
borders, and standing sentinel for the
protection of her robbers. The South ut
,erS to those who have been ber despoil.
ers Of each other, but one voice. That
Ioice is peace, peace, Civil war redresses
10 wrong, preserves no right. If you T
ioubt, look here and be convinced.
hope that her people will never again be +
deFided with charges of rebels and trait
Ors solely for Offering up their lives in
vindication Of their honest beliefe that
they were right. Let me express the
hope that in the future he alone will be Z
egarded as the chief rebel who after this
passage Of this measure Of peace shall 4
lgain whisper the words ofseCtional hate. Z
"A him no roOardad M tho chief tro;to~ 4