The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-20
DEMOCRATS IN CICCUS.
Voting to Allow the Count TO Quietly Proceed
InlI the OREGON tnse is Decided.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l9-Thcre was Il slim
attendance at the Democratic caucus this e,en-
Ing. The deliberations were rather dis urslVc
than otherwise, and did not result In definite
action as to what course is TO be- pursued by
the Democrats other than simply to submit
10 the decision Of tho commission in the Lou
slana cuse. and after entering their protests
and objections upon the records against H. qu-
city allow the count 10 proceed without dila-
tory motions until after tho decision
Of tho commission in tho Oregon
case. In tho absence Of Mr.. Lamar
on account OF sickn So, Hester Clymcr OF Penn
sylyania was called to the chair. Various propo-
sluons were submitted, but tho caucus did not
come 10 vote upon any of them except the
final motion 10 take recess until after tho de-
eislon in tho Oregon case. which vas carried
by an almost unanmous vote.
A number Of speeches were made both for
and against aoquicseen'o in the action Of the
conmisslop, but II was finally agree hy almost
every ono that tho better policy would be not 10
interrupt tho progress of tho count until the
state oi oregon Nna roA' he'd; Then oiHe tons
VIII be made TO counting all three Of the cleo
toral votes for Hayes, and me commis7ion Will
again be placed upon record in determining
some very knolty points OF law.
In the opinion Of every one who Expressed
himself on the subject. what will be known ms
the Hayes certificate cannot he accepted by the
commission without violating the acton al
5aady taken by il in tho Iorida cas-.
In the case of Oregon viii be even more binding
upon them than in tho 'nse of Florida. Proctor
Knott made a very earnest speech iayoring the
rorc,s, arguing that the integrity and good
faith of the Commissioners will be put
to even greater test in determining which
return from Oregon shall be rccciYrd,
md that IL this n,tion shall not con-
Hsi with their former decisions. then will be
time for ll" House To iuicrpu-e by every lrgil
nhd prudential means in iis power To- curry out
the Will ui the people. a shadow Of hnpo was
manifested the touo Of nearly every speech
uHir that the commission would not violate all
law. lu-te gee, and con, i-t"u yund observing rgnl
tcrhuicaitlrs ~ they Lave done SO riglly here
tOtorn. decide at least Nnt only two electors had
been egully appointed from that Stnio. thus sr-
curing inter all the election oil IIldoh bl tic
House Of Representatives.
Another argument mAdc In opposition TO tho
proposition 10 delay the proceedings WAS that
unless the election of one or the other ol the
candilnlcs was declared by the ith Of March the
Government would rcally he without an Admin
istration. as the Wv Of 1892 did not contemplate
vacancy In the Prcsdcntial chnir under
such circumstances, and no provision hhd be<l
made in the present ele,t tOral law 10 III the VA
cancy should one occur. in ease tho Presilcn.
lh question is not determined by tho ith #
March, Should this hapron, it was argued
tho country must practically be without
u GrNrrnmoht and 10 prevent such
disastrous consequences II was deemed
the better policy not 20 prolOng the scttl mcnt
of the question ,Nrn though they Ind to submit
~ the Inauguration ol Hayes. This view Mas