St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-09
The Great Tribunal.
SUMMARY OF IT'S PROCEEDINGS.

SUMMARY OF ITS PROCEEDINGS.
FEB. 1.-The Electoral Commission
was completed yesterday by the cleo
ton of Justice Bradley. The commits
sion met twice during the day and
adopted rules for their government
during the discussion of questions re-
ferred to them; their sessions will be
public and their consultations private.
An exciting time was had at the night
session of the House, the Democrats
trying to introduce resolutions declar-
ing that Florida went for Tilden, so as
to refer them to the Commission.
Speaker Randall refused to entertain
motions to adjourn, and there was a
stormy debate. The House adjourned
without taking action. Objection to
Alabama's vote has been contemplated
by few Republicans, but will not be
made.
FEB. 2.-The Joint Convention of
Congress met at / p. m. yesterday,
Mr.. Ferry, President pro tenn, presid-
ing. The votes of the States of Alaba-
ma, Arkansas, California, Colorado,
| Connecticut, and Delaware were count
ed without objection. When the vote
of Florida was reached three sets of
certificates were opened and read. OBJ
jections were made to all three sets of
certificates, and to the eligibility of one
of the Republican electors. The pa
pers were referred to the Electoral
Commission. The Commission receiv-
ed the protests and arranged for the
arguments to begin this morning.
Messrs. Field and Tucker will speak
for tha nan,nnratS anH MnSSpS Sarnant
and McCrary will speak for the Repub-
licans. The Commission expect to
reach decision on Florida by Tuesday.
FEB. 3.-The proceedings in refer
ence to the count of the electoral vote
yesterday were confined to four hours
of argument before the Arbitration
Commission. David Dudley Field and
Randolph Tucker spoke for the Dem
Ocrats, and Representatives KassOn
and McCrary spoke for the Republi
cans. The crowd Of spectators present
was small. Speaker Randall's object
i'll violating precedent and appointing
two Democratic tellers from the House,
both Southern men, is the subject of
comment; it is thought that the Demo-
Gratis do not mean to accept the action
of the Commission as final if it goes
against them.
FEB. 5.-The Electoral Commission |
heard arguments on Saturday from
Messrs. OCOnOr, Mearick, and Black,
in behalf of the Democrats, and Stanley |
Matthews and Nh. Stoughton in behalf
OF the Republicans, on the question of
going behind the Florida certificates, |
and admitting evidence. Mr.. O'COnOr
and Mr.. Evarts will speak to-day. 1t
is believed that the decision will be for
the Republican certificates. Democrats
begin to doubt whether the Commits
sion will get through before March A,
and members of the Commission think
they will.
FEB. 6.-Wm. NJ. Evarts made the
final argument for the Republicans as
to the power to go behind the Florida
certificates yesterday. He denied that
inquiry could go back of the State Can
wasting Board, and declared that ju-
dicial investigation SO extended as
would follow on going back of the
board would endanger the election,
aud that the Constitution and laws
never contemplate proceedings taking
place which will Illustrate elections.
MIR. O'ConOr replied for the Democrats,
the full power in Congress and
the Commission to go behind returns
and investigate. The Commission will
discuss the question to-day privately
and decide it tonight.
FEB. Gov. Wells's cross-examin-
alton was continued yesterday. He
was again belligerent. The Sergeant
alarms having him in charge said
that arms were taken from him before
he entered the committee room. Dud-
ley Field renewed his searching ques-
tons. Wells absolutely refused at
first to answer any further questions as
to the action of the Returning Board, .
but subsequently answered the techni-
cal questions about the Returning
Board. Wells succeeded in having
record made of the fact that he sent
letter to the committee demanding to
be heard. Monday the committee de- {
clined to permit such record to be
upon the minutes. The Ser
has agreed to find bet |
ter room in which to imprisOn Wells
than the damp dungeon in which he is $
now confined. Charles S. Abel, Sec |
etary of the Returning Board, and t
Judge Davis, Chief Clerk in the office t
Of the Board, also testified, but nothing |
new was brought out.