The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-02-01
THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNT.
Important Action BY rhe HoHsc special coul-
amitGee.


The following .is an accurate stltrment
II the action thus far taken 10y the ape-
cial committee appointed 10 inquire into
the powers, privileges and duties Of the
House Of Representatives IN the count
ing of tle electoral votes for President
and Nicc-Preaident
The COMMITTEES has held three meet
ings AT the second meeting Mr.. Tuck
~, of Virginia, presented o series Of
propositions, ia form substantially ~
follows:
First The power 30 count the cleo
tOrAl votes is not conferred by the Con
stitution upon the president Of the
Senate.
Second That the power b count the
electoral votes is conferred by the Con
stitntion upon the Senate and House Of
Representatives.
Third-ThAt. ia the execution Of the
power u count tile electoral votes, the
House Of Representatives iH, al Least, CO.
ordinate and equal with the Senate.
Fourth-I'hat in the counting Of the
electoral vote no vote can be counted
against the Judgment and assent Of the
House of Representatives.
These propositions were discussed by
the committee, and much ability has
been shown by hegeral uf the members.
Two Of the Republican members, Mr.
Burchard II Illinois and Mr. McDil of
Iowa, took grCaInd IN favor Of the rights
uf the president Of the Senate 10 count
the electoral votes.
Mr.. Seelye Of Massachusetts,, the other
ny j. Al ~.
committee WAS appointed % consider the
function of the House Of Representatives
ia counting the electoral vote, il was mo-
part ~ liz duty 81 pass upon the power
uf the president OF the Senate He held
that the method Of counting the electoral
votes should be determined by a law
passed by Congress. Mr.. Seelye sub
nltted the following IA a subs1tNte f0r
Mr. fuckers propositions:
ResOtusd That i Is the privilege Oi
the House Of Representatives 10 attend
with the Sennte when the electoral votes
are opened, to appoint tellen, who, IN
connection with tellen appointed by the
Senate shall register and compute this
vote. and "a object for any reason which
it deems proper 10 the reception Of any
of the House Of Representatives, with
the concurrence of the Senate, b. reject
amy electoral vote which may he contrary
io law
That 1t is tie duty Of the House al
Representatives to accept every properly
certified electoral vote which the two
houses do not agree 10 reject an contrary
20 law
That the privileges, the powers. and
the duties 81 the House Of Representa-
lives iu counting the votes for President
and Nice-President of the United States
are no more and no less than those oi
the Senate.
At a late meeting of the committee,
Mr.. Burchaui moved 81 amend Mr.
fuckers proposition by affirming that
the president 81 the Senate had the
power 90 count the vote. This was mega
tived The four propositions Of Mr.
Seclye were next voted upon. and the
committee stood four 70 three against the
motion, the Republican members all
voting for H. The committee next voted
upon the first three of Mr.. Tncker's
propositions striatim The two first
we're adopted by party vute-fonr 10
three-and the third one received the
unanimous vote 81 the committee. The
fourth proposition, which is the most
important Of all, viii be voted upon at
the next meeting Of the committee. and
II will probably be adopted by party
vote. Ii realirms the doctrines of the
tweniy-second joint rule, that the House
alone has the power 81 reject the vote OF
a State
The stand 30 be taken by the Demo
cratic members upon TINS proposition is
indicative If the purpose Of the Demo
cratic leaders of The House, which is 90
insist strongly upon the highest power
which has ever been exercised hy the
House over the electoral votes.