The Morning herald., 1877-01-27
WASHINGTON
CONGRESSIONAL NEW $
The Electoral Bill Passed.
Grant Will Sign.
HOW THEY VOTED
SPEECH OF MR.. LAMAR.
Judge Davis Position.
The Democratic Convent n
The Pacific Railroad.
Senator Hill Of Georgia.
INDIAN NEGOTIATIONS.
MCDONALD PAEDONED.
",Ja ->.s--E
GENERALPRESS DISPATCHES
INDIAN NEGOTIATIONS,
MCDONALD PAEDONED.

THE DEBATE IN THE HousE-Nn. HOOKER
FOR THE M1AsuRE.
WARRINGTON Jan. 26.-The House was
called to order at 10 O'Clock with but few
members in attendance, and was addressed
by Mr.. Hooker, of fMassachu who pro
ceeded to argue against the power of the
President Of the Senate to count the electo-
raj votes, and quoted precedents in support
of his view.
The present bill did not, ~ the gentle
man from Ohio (Gsrneld), had said, de-
stroy the Electoral College. On the con-
trary, 1t provided that the tho action Of the
commission might be reviewed by either
House. There was no surrender of the
powers Of either House. So far az tho re-
pert Of the committee was concerned, It
came with'the sanction of the ablest In both
ends Of the capital, who believed that that
plan was the most feasible method of meet
ing the present difficulties.
/ Mr.. HARTRIDGE IN ITS FAVOR.
Mr.. Hsrtridge, Ga. said he had sternly
investigated his own mind before coming to
conclusion on the subject, and he was con-
scientious when he declared that he believed
that the bill was perfectly constitutions
and safe. The next question was, was it
fair to both parties. He was not one of
those who believed that, because man
belonged to political party be could not
arise above partisan passions, and he felt
sure the tribunal would be governed by
fairness, by law, by patriotism, and by the
Constitution. ...
The proposition that the Vice. President |
could count the votes was utterly absurd,
but the doctrine held BY many of his own
party that the House could cast out the
vote of any State was opposed by the
strictest constructionists of the Constitution
who held to the doctrine set forth by the
bill that 1t required concurrent action to re-
ject avo,e. He did not apprehend war, he
never had. He knew the American people
10 their great heart were too much wrapt mp
In constitutional liberty to have arms clash
ngo over constitutional question.
Ir conclusion, he said, I stand almost
lirectly under the coat of arms OF my State
,mblazoned on the roof of this Capitol.
There is the arch of the Constitution sup
2orted by three pillars on which are the
words "wisdom, justice, moderation" If
hese three words could be the talismans to
control our action Wisdom in the concert
# measures, justice in executing them,
moderation In the exercise of power, we
viii de such an act, land 30 conduct ourselv
hat we will hand down and perpetuate the
,reat principle of constitutional liberty. .
,Applause.) .---,-. -.,..
MR.. FELTON, FOR THE BILL.
Mr.. FELTON,, of Ga, followed in favor of t
he bill. TX
Mr.. MILLS IN OPPOSITION. t
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, opposed the bill. The
constitution and the law had been sufd-
lent to carry on the country for hunured
ears, and they were still sufficient. There b
ere some good things in the bill It would y
e deplorahle If it had not ; It silenced the o
retense that the Vice. President Of the Sem v
to had. the power to count the votes. No a
ote could be counted until 1t received the G
of both houses. p
At the expiration of Mills time, the tt
oint of order was raised that he could not n
oeak for more than ten minutes, according q
the agreement made yesterday, but, after
,me discussion, his time was extended to
,e hour, and 4 O'Clock was fixed % the tt
me for calling the previous question. Il
Mr.. Mills, continuing, said that the doc 3
Inc that 1t took the concurrence Of both c,
ouses to count vote, meant that one F
,dy could dictate as to who had been N
ec'cj' President, and such course would n