Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-08
The Murkrille Gmquirer.
YORKVILLE, S. c.:
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 8, 1877
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

ohtions in respect to the memory of the late
Speaker Kerr were called up, and after a
number of appropriate eulogies were deliver
ed by Senators, the resolutions we're unani-
mously agreed to. The bill creating sink.
ing fund for the Pacific railroad was post
poned until December next. The House
bill, which was passed to-day, regarding va
cancies in the Office of President, was read by
title and referred to the committee on priv.
leges and elections. In the House, most of
the session was spent in the consideration of
the sundry civil appropriation bill, which,
however, was not completed. A bill to pro-
vide for vacancies in the Office of President
and Vice.President, that may arise through
the failure of the two Houses to count the
electoral vote, was reported by Field, of New
York, from the committee on elections, and
after brief discussion was passed. The bill
provides that in case of such vacancy in the
Presidential office, it shall be filled by the
President of the Senate, if there be one, or
by the Speaker of the House, if there be one,
or by the Secretary of State in Office at the
time of the vacancy. A motion to suspend
the rules and adopt the resolution recogniz-
ing the Democratic governments of Louisiana
and South Carolina was made by Schleicher,
of Texas, but failed for want of a two-thirds
majority So also did resolution offered
by Watterson, of Kentucky, commencing
the President for his reported opinions in
support of the Nichols government in Loui.
siana. The clause to pay Southern mail con.
tractors for work done before the war, was
restored to the sundry civil bill.
In the Senate on the 2Sth, Mr.. Robertson
submitted resolution that the decision of the
Commission upon the electoral vote Of the
State of South Carolina stand as the judg-
ment of the Senate, objections made thereto
to the contrary Notwithstanding. Mr.. Mer-
rimon, of North Carolina, submitted reso-
luton that it is competent to receive testimo-
ny to sustain several exceptions to the decis.
ion of the Commission. Mr.. Edmunds, of
Vermont, raised the point of order on the
resolution of Mr.. Merrimon and argued that
the Senate must either affirm or reject the
decision of the Commission, upon which point
of order a discussion ensued. The point of
order that the Senate must vote either to sus-
tain or reject the decision of the Commission
was carried by vote of 43 to 1S. After an
elaborate debate, it was decided, by a party
vote, to count South Carolina for Hayes. AT.
ter returning from the second joint session,
the Senate agreed to count the full vote Of
Vermont for Hayes, and took a recess. In
the House, on re-assembling after separating
from the Joint Convention, the yeas and nays
we're called for quorum. Saylor offered a
resolution that the House meet the Senate at
ten minutes past twelve This breaks the
legislative day, but was in the interest of the
preparation bill, which, by unanimous con-
sent, was taken up and passed. The ruling
of the Speaker was sustained. Further mo.
tions for recess were made, which the Speak
er declared were out of order and refused to
entertain appeals from the decision. The
Speaker directed the Clerk to read the decis-
ion of the Court and objections when conclu'
ded. Mr.. Phillips called for the reading Of
the testimony, 1900 pages. Wood objected
and the motion to read the testimony result
ed: yeas SO; nays 1T. Walling moved
that part of the testimony read be ruled out
of order. Franklin moved that the report
of South Carolina be read and the Speaker
decided the report not before the House Fl
nally the two hours discussion allowed was
opened. At its close, several motions we're
made, and it becoming evident that unless one
party or the other yielded, the session would
continue all night, it was compromised to
allow the count to proceed until Vermont
was reached. The House took recess upon
objections to Vermont.
In the Senate on the 1st of March, no leg
islative business was transacted. The objec.
tions in the case of the electoral vote of Ver-
mont having been disposed Of, the Senate
awaited the action of the House on that mat.
ter. In the House, all bills recently passed
by the Senate removing political disabilities,
we're passed. After the failure of various dill
atory motions, two hours debate was COM
menced on the Vermont electoral vote, and
at II o'clock P. NJ, that State was counted
for HAYES and Wheeler, and the Senate noti-
fed of the result.
In the Senate on the End, Immediately ly af-
ter converting at II o'clock, A. NJ, Vermont
was counted for Hayes, and Virginia and
West Virginia for Tilden and finally, after
separation and two hours discussion, Wiscon-
sin was counted for Hayes. At halfpast 4
Mr.. Ferry said "This concludes the count
of thirty eight States. The tellers will now
ascertain and deliver the result" Senator
Allison, one of the tellers, declared the vote
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1856; Samuel j. Til
den, 1874. "Wherefore announce Hayes and
Wheeler duly elected President and Vice
President for four years commencing March
4, 1877" There was solitary hiss. The
Senate retired, the House adjourned and the
flag was lowered for the first time since Feb
ruary 1st. The following are the legislative
proceedings: Mr.. Gordon, Of Georgia, called
up the Senate bill to authorize the Secretary
of War to adjust and settle claims of the State
of Georgia against the government on &C.
count of the Western and Atlantic Railroad.
Passed. Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, submitted
resolution authorizing the appointment Of a
committee of three Senators to make the nec-
essary arrangements for the inauguration of
the President elect on the 9th of March.
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