New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-13
A REVIEW OF THE DAY.
IN THE HOUSE.

=. Representatives against the decision of the
Electoral Commission in the Florida case was
losing one but in making it the Democrats displayed
good deal of spirit. When the Speaker called that
body 10 order at 10 o'clock this morning the
Renuhlicans present were more numerous than the
democrats but on either side OF the House empty
chairs were in the majority. The first movement OF
the majority smacked so strongly OF delay that for
few minutes it seemed as though-in spite of the
general declaration of the Democrats last night that
nothing like fhbustering would be resorted to
q campaign of obstruction had actually begun
David Dudley Field was on hand and very active
The moment Mr. McCrary and offered to go on
with the debate on the only question legally before
the body-that of action on the report OF the Com
rnissou-Mr Clymer raised the point that
no quorum present, and others on
the Democratic side demanded call OF
the House Mr.. Field over to the
Republican side. and assured them that there was
no purpose of delay and suggested TO them an agree
nent 10 wait until 1890 on the ground that SO
many were absent, and then begin the de-
bate At the hour designated new reasons
for the waiting at once appeared IrocboI
Knott who has recently almost dropped out OF hls
Mace in Congress. was so far recognized as MEM
Der again as to be put forward to submit scheme
agreed upon by a few of the hot-headed Democrats
tiop TO recommt the decision OF the Commission TO
the Electoral Tribunal with request that it should
nroceed 10 take evidence in regard to the vote OF
Florida and that it should set forth at greater
length than it has already done its reasons for the
decision already gwen. The half-hour's postpone
uent had been for the purpose OF gathering Demo
cratic strength for a vote upon IT.
Mr. Hale who has by his great activity and
know ledge of parliamentary tactics assumed the
leadership Of the Republicans since Gen. Garheid
was made a member Of the Electoral Commission
made a point of order against Mr.. KNOTS PROPOSE
tion-that the law under which they were acting
provided solely for a vote upon accepting the de-
cision of the Commission or everything it. Gen.
Banks and Mr. Burchard of Illinois supported MI
Hale and Fernando Wood, while protesting that
there was no disposition on his side to cause I'M
necessary delay, and that for himself he would
have preferred that Mr. Knots substitute had not
been submitted said that be still nothing Ill the
law 70 prevent the House from sending the case
back 10 the Commission. The Democrats did not
seem inclined to debate the matter, but rather 10
rely upon their confidence II Speaker randall
which seemed not TO be misplaced. he ruled
that the substitute was IN order, Dut
nj the same time recognized the fact that
another objection had been made TO 1t by MI
Wilson of Iowa one of the ablest parlamentarlans
in the House, upon which he desired TO give an
opinion. This objection was based on rullng mace
come DAYS ago. that it was not competent Tor the
House actng alone and under its rules to refer any
question whatever to outside tribunal and that
such reference could only be made by the two
bouses acting concurrentv in Joint Convention.
This point was promptly sustained by Speaker Ran
dali. The Speakers ruling, there is reason 10
believe. was not only approved by the Republicans
but by a majority of the Democrats. Only a few,
the most of whom originally opposed the compromise
bill and who desired TO make the proceedings under
II 10 ridiculous az possible would have voted for
Mr. Knott's substitute. The majority OF the
Speakers party associates were greatly renewed
by having the necessity OF placing them-
selves on record on this matter removed Inc
Speakers ruling is considered by many leadlng
Republicans as the most important one IN us 1ar-
reaching effect of any he has made this session. Ii
Mr. Knott's substitute had been received, 1t would
haveopeDed the door to very dgnfed and yet singu-
larry effective mode of flibusterng. Not only might
every decision of the Joint Commission, of what
ever nature he returned TO it for further cOnsidera
ton but new questions not arising IN the JOINT
conventions of the two houses might with equal
propriety be sent 10 IT, thus occupying the time ana
postponing the final announcement of the result OF
the election indefinitely. No one could more fuly
understand the effect of such ruling II made thah
the Speaker nor the great advantage II gave DIS
party. Yet Mr. Randall did not hesitate q moment
on the clear point made by Mr. Wilson. de sus-
tanned it, and II the same breath recognized MI
AeCrary to proceed with the debate. The ruling
goes very far toward stOning for some former
decisions that have been severely criticised as
partisan.
Meantime the great audience so fully representing
al sections Of the land had gathered to look down
upon the Congress in it's solemn work AT no pre-
vious step Of the august proceeding had such deep
interest been manifested in any days assemDiase'
Every prominent journal in the land had some one
here TO see for its readers. The diplomatic corps
sent it's leading men 10 see for Europe. The greatest
array Of legal talent ever gathered at any one point
IN the land here seated IN front OF the Speakers
desk leaning forward in the deep clrelng lines oil
men ranged back of the desks. Cabinet ofhcers ana
sx-Cabinet officers, a score OF Senator'S ana
many distinguished private citizens were on inc
floor There were enough of David Dudley Fields
useful witnesses and enough lobbyists 10 give
variety 70 the crowd and make it sufficiently Demo
cratic by means of the first class and complete its
Congressional character by means of the last The
debate went Oh with little interruption. Each side
addressed the most pointed attacks toward the
other. Yet the controversy throughout was con-
Quoted with great dignity and decOrum, and undi-
vlded attention given by all. The speakers
were in the main among the best on each side The
Republicans were Messrs. McCrary, Banks, Frye,
Dunnel and Kasson. The Democrats we're MessTs.
Tucker. Springer, Hurd, Carr, Walker, and Field.
The speeches were concise. and as whole much
above the average force and point OF those nsu'
ally heard in Congressional debate
The unexpected sensation Of the day was the
speech of Mr. Carr of Indiana, the successor OF
Speaker Kerr He has said little since bis election.