The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-18
THE DEMOCRA TIC CAUCUS.
Voting to Proceed with the Count without
DeIny-A stormy session.


| WASHINGTON, Fob. 1.-THE caucus OF
Democratic members OF the House this evening
was extremely stormy. and 1t seemed for some
time as though nothing definite could be de-
termned upon. There were two wIngs-the
extremists. thinking 1t would be justinable In
the House to place all possible obstacles In the
| way OF tho completion OF the vilainy. and the
| conservatives. regarding 1t q matter Of policy
to abide by the decision OF the tribunal. and
avoid all attempts at unnecessary delays.
| The ifst speech OF the evening was delivered
| by the Hon. Frank Hurd OF Ohio. He was ono
OF the original opponents OF the Electoral bill.
and spoke strongly against allowing the fraud
to DO consummatod He pronounced 1t an out
rage on the rights OF the people who. on their
representation. had trusted to fair dealing from
tho mombers OF the tribunal. He saw no JUS
tice in the decision. and was stoutly opposed to
endorsing IT.
The next speaker was Col. Singleton OF Mis-
sssippi. He favored conservative programme
as a matter Of policy. though he agreed that the
| tribunal had grossly abused the confidence Of
| the people.
Mr.. Reagan OF Texas favored submission to
.ME. Thompson OF Massachusetts. Chairman
unnnood ,,o @ ~ WI W. n,oS, pro 10
whole commission as a fraud. unworthy the
rccog 1iton. much less the respect, OF any de-
Congress would he sustained in placing obsts-
clcs in the way OF the count.
Judge Lyndc OF Wisconsin. muc TO the sur
prise OF some OF the members. was also In favor
| OF extreme proceedings.
mr.; Tucker ot airginla WAS disposed to tayor
| such n course would be more sure Of proving
tho salvation Of the party at the next general
| election. when. he did not doubt, the tide would
Mr.. Southland OF Ohio was bitterly opposed to
any submission. The tribunal had been ap-
pointed to investigate and decide upon dis-
putes They had done nothing In the way OF in;
bcen ignored and he was opposed TO accepting
ne result az in accordance with the Electoral
Senator Bayard spoke with great earnestness
He ful lly, concurred In the declaration that
there had been gross misrepresentation on the
the original opponents OF the bill to understand
that II was expressly provided to 20 behind the
rettprns. That was the general opinion.
Mr., Jones OF Kentucky recommended all delay
Mr.. Field OF New York spoke very briefly in
moved that tho matter be- referred TO u com.
muee Of iiiye This was voted down.
senator herman spoke in favor OF submission
Mr.. Cochrane OF Pennsylvania submitted a
cles in the way Of the count, and offered the
following preamble and resolution:
Ws, ,hs ke,,o,s e ccmmi.sn va. created in scc
questions which pertain 70 the disputed votes OF FLORIDA.
Wsra ssd eoinmi.si,n, in di.resara Of their oath.
nauduenuy refused to obey the law and the will VI the
people. by defeating such examination, therefore,
Rsoef That is the duty OF Congress which
the Democratic party and the Anne. people to defeat
the fraudule of ssd by all the
known 10 he Consultation and law. 70 the end that all
possible delays may be interpo~d. dilatory motions
made, and objections interposed TO the vote OF every
State yet "a be counted with the view Of multiplying Is
and thereby defeating the usurpcr
Mr.. Reagan offered the following as substi
tute:
Rssoltei That the counting ef the votes shs proceed
without daory opposition TO the orderly execution Of
the act Of Congress creating the Electoral Commission
whose decisions shall be- received and acted upon
eOrianee with the provisions VI the said law.
Mr.. Bright Of Tennessee offered the following
amendment:
But this resolution Il panied with the solemn and
earnest protest Of the Dcmor party against the
and shame e-s Noauon Of law, Justice, ami truth
tanned In the decisions II the majority who signed the
same in tie cases OF FLORIDA and Louisiana
The resolution OF Mr.. Reagan was amended
BY Mr.. Bright, the whole being substitute for
Mr.. Cochrane's proposition. was adopted 10y
vote Of yeas SO. nays 40.
The count will proceed quietly on Monday