New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-05
PROSPECTS AS TO FLORIDA
VERDICT FOR THE REPUBLICANS PROBABLE
JUDGE BLACK DETECTED.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI

JUDGE BLACK DETECTED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-NOne of the numerous
opinions expressed to-day in regard TO the action Oh
the Electoral Commission on the Florida case are
founded upon anything which has been said by any
member of that tribunal. One Of the Commissioners
said tonight that he had been associated with
n body of men engaged in a common occupation
where there was so little interchange of thought or
opinion he had sat thus beside a friend he had
known for many wears on the Commission and the
first word has not been ntcrchanged between
them upon the subjects of the argument
or case The Congressional members OF the
Commission seem inclined TO wait tor Jhe
Judges to suggest opinions and the judges with the
reserve to which the Supreme bench Is accustomed
have as yet given no sign. They are undoubtedly
waiting for the concluding arguments Tomorrow
Some of the Democratic politicians cannot conceal
their want of confidence in the result. Mr.. Nor
rsOn who is a very free taker does not hesitate 20
express the opinion that the Democrats have no
chance before the Commission He thinks that the
instincts of the Commission against his side, ana
very severely crticzes the interference of the New
York Democrats with the concerns OF the party lie
saws he WAS sent to New-Orleans by the House
as Chairman of the Investigating Com
mittee and that when he came back with
strong case; that on arriving here he found David
Dudley Field in charge of the interests of the Demo-
cratic partv and that he had conducted them as
TO ruin their chances Like expressions OF this dis
affection, although more guarded have been heard
in other quarters among the Democrats. Judge
Black does not conceal his belief that the verdict Of
the Commission viii be against his party. Ills
speech yesterday is generally said TO be failure.
He seems conscious of this himself, and intimates
that his heart is not in it, that be had an uphill task
and that the Commission is against his side.
Republicans do not think it possible that it viii
be decided TO 20 back Of the verdict Of the Canvass
ing Board to ascertain how the people OF THIS that
or the other precinct or county voted. The only
really open question: they believe IS tnat relating 70
the effect of the qaO JraraHtO proceedings ON the
foruatv Of the action of the Hayes electors There
are one OF two nice legal points here which may IN
duence the votes of the Supreme Court judges
Upon these points it is thought the whole
Florida case will hinge. Republican mem-
beers of the Commission say that if 1t should be
held that By institutng quo warranto proceedings
beaten party can nvalldate the action Of an cleo
toral college there would be end Of Presidential
elections by the people. Il would always be posi-
bic 10 keep litigation alive for three months after
the electors met by appeals and delays, 50 that the
18th of March would arrive before it could be de-
cldcd vino mad right to exercise the functions OF
electors II the Florida courts have the power to
settle this question of title, then IL must be taken
as not Vet settled for while the Circuit Court de-
cided in favor of TIden electors the has been
appealed. and the Supreme Court has not rendered
il, decision.
The absurdty Of the position that courts can
make and unmake electors long after the day and
the only day on which they can perform the duties
of their office was very clearly exposed by Stanley
Matthew's in his speech yesterday,
Tile critic Of last ieyening printed the' statement
that Senator Conkng had expressed the opinion TO
one of is reporters that Mr.. Tden would be inaus-
urated and that the action the case Of Florida
would decide the matter in his favor. Many Repub-
leans 90 not credit the story