St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-03-09

ciates was practical attempt to reonen
the count, and was revolutionary H.
insisted that the count should procaaJ
After further discussion the Speako"
said with the highest respect for all
parties concerned, the chair considar'
that great mistake and wrong was
committed yesterday in joint session of
the two Houses in this, that the presid
ing officer refused to receive or evo,
open for reading for information a pack.
age which had all the surroundings of
an authentic paper in respect to an
Electoral vote of Vermont. Yet the
chair does not think that in any aspect
of this case he would be called upon to
rule that the action of the presiding
officer of the Joint Convention yestera
day was wrong. He does not think ba
possesses the power, nor does he believe
that the action of the Joint Conveption
can be reviewed in this House in the
manner proposed"
The resolution of the anarchists that
the Aldrich package from Vermont
should be opened before the count bro
coed was renewedly pressed.
Mr.. Wood moved that the count pro-
coed.
At 1:30 Speaker Randall summarilv
disposed of the tangle by bringing down
his gavel with a ringing thud, and de.
claring that the two hours debate upon
the Vermont objection under the law
had begun, and that he should com.
mence to count the time. Great excite
ment followed. There were loud an.
Peals from the decision of the Speaker
but he remained firm in his ruling
Pandemonium followed. Mr.. Beebe. of
New York, stood upon a desk and de-
nOunced the Speaker for violating the
Constitution and the laws. He WAS
cheered on by Springer, Caulfield and
other revolutionists, who drowned all
voices with their hooting, and demand
ed that the Speaker should obey the
will of ninety rioters.
John Young Brown, of Kentucky.
called for Beebe's arrest, saying he
would do it himself if the Sergeant-at
Arms did not.
Members yelling at the top of their
voices demanding the expulsion of the
big lobby that was crowding the cloak
rooms and floor, encouraging on the
Democratic revolutionists to further dis
turbances.
A riot was imminent, the two wings
of the Democracy fiinging opprObious
epithets at each other and at the Speak
er-FernandO Wood, S. S. Cox and
Willis leading the decent Democrats
and Springer, Garfield and Beebe the
Tilden wing.
The Republicans all the while were
calm lockers on, and did not take part
in the riot.
Mr.. Randall finally made himself
heard above the din, and reminded
members that they were members of
the American Congress, and directed
the Sergeant-at- Arms to clear the lob
by behind the members desks and to
seat refractory members. The Sergeant
alarms, with his elevated mace, then
marched up and down the aisles quell-
ing the turbulence.
The scene was probably never rival
ed in the American Congress. The
anarchists denounced the Speaker as a
traitor and usurper. Speaker Randall
maintained the utmost dignity in the
face of the tremendous pressure made
by the members of his own party.
During the progress of this violent
scene, John Young Brown of Kentucky
and other Southern members, rose and
denounced the Democratic revolution
lists in the bitterest terms. There was
danger at any moment of personal ell
between hot-blOoded Southern
men.
The debate proceeding, Mr.. Hewitt
the Endorsement upon the
bogus package pretending to be the
Electoral vote of Vermont. 1t was adj
dressed to the President of the Senate
md claimed TO be the Electoral vote.
Mr.. Hewitt received his copy in Decem-
Der and supposed the President of the
Senate had received one duplicate 10y
mail. He.knew that the counsel before
he Electoral Commission had supposed
here were duplicate returns from Yer
mont.
The President of the Senate said yes
-erday that he had received no such
package by mail and had declined to
AXE it from Mr.. Hewitt on the ground
hat it was too late under the law. Mr..
Hewitt says the Secretary of the Senate
carried the package away last night
rom the meeting of the joint cOnven-
ion.
Mr.. Kason, of Iowa, said the Secre-
AIRY of the Senate at the direction Of
he Vice-President took the package
md left it on the clerks desk in the
House, the paper was now in the House
N the custody of person he would not
name. The implication was that one
IF the anarchists had obtained posses
non OF it and was trying to show that
t had been taken by Mr.. Ferry.
At2:3O page of the House approach
ID Mr.. Hewitt and presented to him
he package. Mr.. Hewitt Immediately
Interrupted Mr.. Terry, of Virginia, who
vas speaking, stating that the package
vas in the House, but he did not know
low it came there.
Mr.. Garfield said there is no pretence
II claim that under any law the Presi-
lent of the Senate ought to receive
'aper under such circumstances. There
5 no signature on the back of the pa
'er authenticating it. For ought that
We know it is another mock certificate.
+ anybody has been deceived by the
'retence that we aught to have paper
pened IN this House, coming in such
unauthorized way, let all
uch pretences be cleared away, and let
hem vote with a knowledge of the fact
hat vote for the resolution is simply
vote to prevent count and to bring
IS into anarchy.
The discussion was closed by Mr..
leld, of New York, who expressed deep
egret that the day had been consumed
D an attempt to rectify a mistake of
he President of the Senate.
GENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE CLOSING
STRUGGLE.
The most disgraceful exhibition of the
hole session was made by George NJ.