The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-03-14
UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
Scnlse.

1he Senate concurred in the amendments Of
the House to those of the Senate on the Consul
lar AMI Diplomatic Appropriation bill, and it
was passed.
The president pro tenn. (Mr. Ferry said he
had received communication from the Elec-
toral commission. being a decision in tho
Louisiana case, and directed that it should be
read.
Mr.. Maxev, of Texas. presented the creden-
tials Of Richard Coke, who was elected United
States senator from the State Of Texas for six
wears from March !, 1871, aud Mr.. Norwood, Of
Georgia. presented The credentials Of b. II. Hill,
who was elected United States senator from.
the State OF Georgia for six years from the
same date, both OF which We're read aud placed
on file.
Mr.. Bogv Dem. OF Missouri, ruadea speech
relative TO the action of the Electoral commits
sion and referred in severe terms to the action
Of Judge Bradley. of that commission. Con-
Guiding as follows Sir. the lanes Of JET
freys and Marlborough have como dow - Us
for ages past covered viii: disgrace and shame
because they were corrupt judges, aud tn"
name of that nta!l who changed Ills vote upon
that commission (~Jus!ice Bradley vii! go
be associated with Marlborough end Jetfreys.
and it Sill never br pronounced without o hiss
from all good men in tiis country"
Mr. Morton lliep.b. OF Indiana, said he had
heard viii regret the remarks made by the
senator from Missouri in regard to Justice
Bradley. II that senator could have heard the
discussions OF the Electoral commission rs he
OR. Norton heard them he would not have
made such remarks. The time would come
when the opinions u tho members Of the COM
mission would l, published. and he Was sure
[ { senator would tl:en see that he had done
an net of injustice 10 M able and conscientious
Judge.
The Senate having returned to its chamber
3lr. Sherman rep !. Of Ohio. submitted n
resolution that the decision OF the commission
upon the electoral vote Of Louisiana stand rs
The judgment u the Senate. the objections
made thereto 70 the contrary Notwithstanding.
Mr.. Herman Dem. ]. OF New York, presented a
substitute providing that the Hayes electoral
votes for Louisiana be not counted. tho de-
cision OF the commission Notwithstanding.
Mr.. Maxev lDem.l OF Texas, favored the
substitute, declaring that the commission was
directed to ascertain the true vote Of the State,
certificate rocking with fraud, and offensive III
the nostrils Of al honest people.
Mr.. Herman DEM. of New York. comment
ed on the declaration IF the commission that
it couldpot receive testimony which was offered
to prove that fraud existed. and that certain
electors were ineligible, and declared that such
o decision was to tllc effect that there was no
power III Congress to obtain the truth and
smite down fraud.
MIR. Thurman Dem ]. of Ohio, argued that
the votes Of the returning board OF Louisiana
were unconstitutional and destructive of our
republican form of government. Even if its
acts were not unconstitutional they were not
legal in canvassing the vote of the seventh Of
November last, because the statute required
that the board should bs composed OF five per-
aons of diGercn: political parties. but in fact il
was composed Of but four persons, all of the
same party, end they steadily refused to fill the
vacancy.
Mr.. Sherman (tep.), Of Ohio. declared t. at
the decision was right, and rs a question OF law
no man would have held two months ago that
Congress had the right to overhaul the returns
by which electors were chosen. If there was
any right Of a State, it was the right to choose
its own electors. This right was carefully
guarded by the Constitution.
Mr.. Morton Qeep.), Of Indiana. thought that
y any provision Of constitutional law was plain
L vas the fact that Congress had no right to &C
behind the declaration Of the proper State OH
esys ss 10 whom had besn chosen electors, The