New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-31


would have elected Judge Davis to COM
plete their delegation, but he refused to serve.
They accordingly chose Judge Bradley. The
Commission will meet in the Supreme Court
room to-day.
THE FORMALlTY IN CONGRESS.
THE SENATE CO.'S THROUGH IT CALMLY, THE HOUSE
MOI WITHOUT AN EXHIBITION or PARTY FEEL
ING.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSgl
WASHINGTON, JAN 30.-The machinery of the new
Electoral law works with as much smoothness az
though il had been in force for a generation. Both
houses of Congress chose t1cr members of the COM
mission to-day, and the four judges selected fifth,
so that the new power foreign to the Constitution,
rs many believe, and wholly strange to our system
of government, has come into full existence. The
Supreme Court room has been prepared rs the scene
of its momentOus labors. All the judges chairs and
the long desk in front of them have been covered
with linen for the mixed tribunal A space within
the bar has been cleared and broad table has been
formed by joining together three smaller ones,
appropriately significant of the composite nature
of the body to assemble around ID, and
Is chairs have been placed in position. Upon the
table, in front of each members seat, is little pile
of foolscap. garnishcd with steel pen and two
quilts. Around this table will soon be settled, if
not the fate Of the nation, at least the fate of the
hundred thousand Government oiiice-holders, and
the more than ten hundred thousand ofice-seekers
ravcnously waiting the signal of a Democratic
triumph TO rush upon the spois. For tho next
week or two this affair of walnut and pine will be
the central point in the political system Of the
United States.
The formality of voting for members Of the com
mission was conducted III the Senate in di gnfed
aud monotonous way, each Senator rising and an
nCuncing the names OF the five caucus nominees.
The noniineesdld not OF vote for themselves
and named only four. Mr. Ednunds spread the
ripple of a smile the placidly solemn surface OF
the ceremony by saying, Il have voted
for only four Senators do not vote for the other
name proposed This, IN tone that seemed to in
dicate that lie had grave objections against the
other nominee. Mr.. Conkng insisted, before the
roll-cal began, that it was unnecessary for every
body to call out the whole list of names, and that
the law would be complied with if the Secretary
read the lis. and the Senators responded YEA; but
this method of voting viva yocc was objected to.
When Mr.. Conklng's name was called he responded,
Z" | vote for the gentlemen named by the Sen
ator who last voted" There was no opposition to
the caucus ticket, and it was unanimously elected
by GS votes.
The election of the House members occupied
about two hours. Mr.. Lamar, chairman OF the
Democratic caucus, placed Messrs. Payne, iluntoH,
Abbott Garfield, and HOar in nomination, and sug-
gcsted that in order to time, members, AS their
names were called, might simply respond that their
votes were cast for the ticket as nominated. lr.
Buckner of Wisconsin. supported by ID or20 Demo
Gratis who voted against the Compromise bill. and
who wished to display their lack of fairness and
good faith by attempting TO defeat one OF the Re
ntlnui
posed this nomination, but after sore deSlory dis
cussion Mr.. Lamars suggestion was agreed to, with
the modification that each member when h,s name
was called should vote for the five names, pro-
nouncIng them one after another. Very few Incl
dents of interest occurred dnring the calling OF the
roll About % Democrats not including any OF great
prominence or influence in the House, refused 10
vote for Gen. Garfield. and substituted the name OF
Mr. Foster Nj. McCrary, or NJ. Willard. In retail
ation when Mr. Hayes name was called, after an
nouucing his vote in favor of Mr.. lioar ana MI
Garfield, he added the names Of Messrs. Mills
Singleton and Blackburn, three Democrats
who opposed the passage OF the Dlli. AS
this vote recorded there was considerable
laughter in the House. Some Of the Republicans
named the representatives of their own party on
the commission before the Democrats; some OF theii
alicrnated, announcing the name OF RcpuDlical
and then of Il Democrat. Inc DVHoclhiS VII INC
other hand, generally placed the Democratic cahdi-
dates first in naming the commissions; but one or
two of them. including Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Cox OF
New-Ycrk. compucnted their political opponents
nv pacinc the names of Mr. IlOar and Gen. Garfield
before those of the Democrats. Gen. Terry OF VIZ
oinia substituted the name of Mr.. Townsend OF
New-Ycrk for that of Gen. Garfield, and Mr. Town
send not only acknowledged tie compliment 10y
throwing kiss across the hall to Gen. Terry, but
also by substituting Terry's ZANE, when his tirh
came to vote, for that of Mr.. Payne. The best Oh
good feeling seemed to prevail on both SIDES OF the
House during the whole time occupied III eectlHgthe
commission. Notwithstanding the wholly uucaied-
for opposition Of portion OF the Democrats 10 ueh'