The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-18
From Our Regular CORRESPONDENT,

TIE LAW RESPECTING THE ELECTION OF
PRESIDENT AND yICE-PREsIDEST,
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, October 1.-THE case Of
Spofford, Democratic senator-eIect from
Louisiana, came up in the Senate to-day, on
motion OF Senator Thurman, who offered a
resolution that Mr.. Spofford be at once
sworn in. This motion was antagonized at
once by Senator Edmunds, who claimed
that under the rules the resolution must lie
over until tomorrow. Thurman made the
point that the case could be taken up at
once as question of high privilege under
the rules, and the Fice-President sustained
Mr.. Thurman's point. Mitchell offered an
amendment to have the case referred
to the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions. This did not prevail, but so much
opposition to immediate action developed
on the Republican side that Thurman finally
consented to let the matter lie over until to-
morrow.
Failing in their efforts to get the case OF
Spoflord sent to the Elections Committee
for burial, Mr.. Edmunds offered another
resolution relieving the Elections Commit
tee from further consideration OF the papers
in Kellogg's case, which it was found were
still retained by that committee, although
under the rules the committee should have
at the expiration OF the last session re-
turned them to the Speakers table.
Although no genuine test-vote was had,
THE RESULT OF THE Days sKIEMIsHISG
must be considered as favorable to the
friends OF Mr.. Spofiord.
Conklng took his first anti-Administra-
ton step, but took it very guardedly. He
urged the reference OF the case to The Elec-
tons Committee, and argued with bis usual
non-committal cunning. His reasons were
the plausible ones that the case was OF too
much importance to be hastily considered,
and that to consider so important case
without the aid OF Il committee would estab-
lish bad precedent. Once only he showed
his teeth, and indicated his real position in
the fight. 81 take it," he said, "that at
some time many senators will wish to eX-
plain at length the reasons which have
guided them to their final decision on the
ultimate issue which is 1T stake, and to this
end the ministration of 4 committee will be
very convenient" Nothing could have been
more sllavc than his manner; nothing more
guarded than his words, but his tone and
infections spoke language which few mis-
understood.
A BILL TO REPEAL THE BANKRUPT ACT.
Just before the Senate went into eXecu-
tive session Senator McCreary surprised the
Senate by introducing bill to repeal the
bankrupt act, and making most eloquent
and humorous plea for It's repeal. His ac-
ton was wholly out OF the usual course,
and indicates an understanding that a
strong effort will be made to repeal the
bankrupt act at the extra session.
OTHER BILLS.
Senator Beck started the financial ball by
presenting bill to authorize the payment
Of fifty per cent. of the custom duties in le'
gal-tender notes, to be received at par.
Senator Edmunds presented bill to pre-
vent the abuses which abound in the sale OF
postage-stamps and stamped envelopes.
The bill provides that if any person author
lied to sell such stamps or envelopes sells
them for less than par such person shall be
deemed guilty of embezzlement, and be LA
BILE to fine not exceeding $1,000, or pun
ishment not exceeding one year. The bill
also provides that al persons authorized tc
sell stamps shall, with each quarterly report
send to the Department an attested oath
that they have complied with the law.
Senator Edmunds unwittingly started
A SENSATION IN TIE CAPITOL
to-day by introducing the following:
ReSolued, That select committee, con
sisting OF seven senators, be appointed
whose business it shall be to take into con
sideration the state Of the law respecting thu
ascertaining and declaration Of the result o
the election of President and Vice-Presi
dent of the United States, and that sale
committee have power to report by bill OF
otherwise.
The report spread at once that Edmund
had questioned the title OF Hayes to TIT
presidency, but the resolution is simply
general and is important only as being thu
first step in the change which is almost SURF
to he made in the law regulating elections
TIE HOUSE
devoted most OF the day to seating Elan
one OF the Democratic members-elect iron
Louisiana. The Republicans pursued TIL
same partisan course they did yesterda,
both in this and in the Colorado case, which
came up, accepting without murmur TIN
Democratic votes for Republican contest
ants, and then antagonizing every Demo
cratic claimant regardless Of everything
except the fact that they were for the Re
publican every time. -s.>. ~..a.r
The adjournment was over to Saturday
with the understanding that no business
: should be done on that day. This will
virtually effect recess until Monday, the
! object being to give Randall an opportunity
to make up his committees.
CAUCUS PosTPoSED-THE HOUSE COMMITTEES
The Joint Democratic caucus arranged FOL
tonight to block out legislation and agree
on a line policy has been indefinitely post
poned, the leaders deciding not to show
their hand just yet.
Speaker Randall is going to Philadelphia
TO solve his difficult committee problem In
quiet.
Associated Press Report by telegraph to the Dis
patehI
NOMINATIONS.
WASHINGTON, October 17.-All the south
ern and more important general and north
| IL. Tnhv unr