Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-25
FORTY.FOURTH CONGRESS,
Second Session.

WASHINGTON, January "a.
The correspondence with Turkey in regard &c
the revolt there has been received from the pres
dent and ordered printed
| The credentials of VIM. Window of MINI.
| j Z. Bailey of Tennessee, ard j. c. Harris Of
| tennessee, were prese ned and filed.
| MIR. Wright, from committee on claims, report
ed favoraby on senate bill 10 extend for two fear,
| the act to establish the southern claims commits
| sion.
He gave notice he should ask the senate to con
| slider the bill tomorrow morning.
Several rettions, memorials, etc were received
| and referred.
Neither sherman nor Gordon being present the
| resolutions in their charge were laid over, the
morning hour having expired.
The compromise bill came up.
Mr.. Conkhng not being present, a recess of ten
| minutes was taken.
Oh reassembling. Mr.. Conk ling being still alb
sent, Mr.. Sargent spoke in opposition the COM
promise bill.
He said he had endeavored to bring his mind TO
an assent to the provisions of this bill.
First, because he desired that result might be
worked out of this compca ion.
Second, because he desired that equal and exact
justice shall be done every candidate voted for at
The late presidential election, and to each of the
parties which put those candidates forward, but
he did not believe this bill would accomplish apy
such result.
Tuere was suspicious Of unfairness about the
bill. 1t gave improper powers TO the tribunal
which 1t created. and If fairness was desired the
bill wa, very unfortunate, because the result to he
accom- plshed by II depended upon one man to be
selected. As yet he was unknown.
Inc supporters OF the bill had addressed their
arguments TO two questions only, first, the bill
constitutional, and second, was it expedent.
He then argued that it was never intended that
congress should count the electoral vote or dis
eliminate between the returns. If the trainers of
the constitution had intended to lodge any such
power in Congress, few words would have made
il certain.
II was not intended to lodge such dangerous
power in congress because the two houses could
themselves create the urgency in which the con-
sttution provided the house should elect a presi.
de at and the senate vice president.
lie argued the power to count the electoral
vote was lodged in the president of the senate.
MIR. Conkllng presented petition numerously
signed by the merchants and business men OF New
York 10 favor of the passage pending the bill in
regard TO the eleoto4a al count.
Laid on the table.
He said that be would present to the senate were
1t not addressed to the special committee, a tele-
gram received this morning from Indiana, signed
by thirty-sevcn republicans and three democrats
expressing gratitude for the intelligence and pat
rotc labors of the special committee which have
resulted in bill for the settlement of the presi-
dental question: and expressing the most earnest
desire that 1t may become q law.
The senate was In session most of the night
NO ballot to time of going to press
House.
The house proceeded to the consideration of the
| resolution reported by the committee on privi-
leges.
Mr.. McDnl spoke IN favor of resolutions sub
| mitted by the minority of the committee.
He maintained that the constitution gave to