The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-01-31

Marrow Escape From CWsmplete
s,S. "a Cosnisss for Iogsm~Mcr.
ton the Great OhJecaor.
From the New York Herald.D
NThe history OF the deliberations OF
the Joint congressional committee, which
has framed the most important bill, per-
haps, which will have been adopted since
the foundation of the government, is
now for the first time sketched.
The two committees of seven members
each, appointed by the senate and the
house respectively. were instructed to
hold separate councils. with power to
"act'' with each other. The senate COM
mittee consisted of Senators Edm unds.
Morton. Frelinghuysen. Conkling. Thur
mau, Bayard and Ransom. The house
committee consisted of Representatives
Payne, Hunton, Hewitt, Springer, Nc
Crary, Hoar and Willard.
The committee met separately for some
time until each had prepared bill in
tended to meet the emergency. The first
meeting of the house committee was
held on December %, when sub-com-
mittee of two members springer and
willsrd) was appointed to prepare a
compilation OF precedents on the subject
of counting electoral votes. This sub
committee, thus deprived OF the enjoy
ment OF the approaching holidays, began
work at once and, with the assistance of
half dozen clerks, collsted during the
holiday week q record Of everything ever
said or done In congress on the subject !;
also q record of the proceedings Of the
federal convention concerning the estab-
lishment of the electoral college system.
The compilation, which makes printed
book of 500 octave pages of BREWER type,
was, together with full index, completed
and admirably printed and bound in the
government printing Office and made
rsady for the use of members Of the joint
committee within two weeks from the
time the committee ordered its publica-
ton. Whatever can be said in Other
respects OF the management of the gov
eminent printing office, this feat is worthy
the emulation of Appleton & Co. and the
Harpers.
The committees had no Joint confer
ence until Thursday, the 18th inst. At
that time the senate committee and the
house committee had each prepared a
bill. Neither bill was binding on any Of
the members of the respective commit
tees, though majority of either commit
tee would have abided by Its own meas
ure If it had been practicable to make il
the basis OF mutual settlement. Both
bills, however, were necessarily expert
mental.
The house bill provided for tribunal,
to consist OF the five senior justices of the
supreme court, namely-Chfford,
Swaync, Miller, Davis and Field, to
whom all objections which might be
made In the joint meeting of the two
houses of congress at the counting OF the
electoral vote should be referred. While
it was believed by the house committee
that neither party in the house or the
senate could afford to eject the decision
OftheSe five judges, yet the decision was
not to be binding unless c0ncurred in by
the votes of both houses. This feature
of the house bill was opposed by the en-.
tire senate committee 1t was therefore
deemed absolutely necessary to build on
the senate bill, which contained the
main features OF the measure which has
been reported by the joint committee,
with this important exception-it pro-
yided tor four senior justices OF the su.
preme court, and five senators and five
repressntativcs-one of the senators or
one Of the representatives to be with
drawn BY lot. This plan would have
made the committee consist of thirteen
members.
MIR. Willard, of Michigan, objected to
the application OF the 'lOt' feature to
the senator's and representatives. tor the
reason that 1t would give one or the
other body q preponderance OF votes.
lie suggested that it would be better to
apply that feature to the judges by Sc
ieeting six Of them and drawing by lot
i've OF the six. This proposition was re-
garded with general favor. After numer-
Gus propositions and counter PROPOSE
lions respecting the details of new bill
and very earness discussion of the con-
sututlonal questions involved, the com.
mittees, having apparently reached
conclusion, adjourned until the next Sat.
urday evening.
LAT the Saturday evening conference of
the committee, the slot feature of the
Dill was the subject Of discussion. The
senators, Including Bayard, thought it
the BEST that could be devised and argued
that 1t was applied to all the juries in the
country. The house Democrats were On
posed TO 1t, and when the two commit.
tees met on Monday, the prospect for an
agreement was gloomy indeed."l
PROPOSITIONS SUBMITTED
The two committees went into Joint
session promptly at eleven. Mr.. Payns
stated the decision of the msjority of the
house committee to be adverse to thu
senate bill in its present form, on account
chiefly of the lot feature. but also ON sc-
count OF some minor provisions. Two of
these provisions related to the evidence
Which might 60 before the proposed com.
mission and to its powers in the examl.
nation OF the questions to be submitted
10 It, These. Mr.. Payne criticised deli.
hitely and courteoasly. The amend