The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-21
From Our Regular Correspondent


STOPPED BY PRESIDENT GRANT.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WHAT COURSE WILL THE DEMOCRATS PURSUE
WASHINGTON, February 20.-Thc uncer.
1 tainty as to what course the Democrats
would pursue, and the hope Of some sen.
sation to arise in the proceedings, threw
around to-day's doings more interest than
usual since Florida was disposed Of. The
House convened at 10 O'Clock, and the dis
cussion began soon afterwards upon the OBJ
iections submitted against counting the
votes OF Louisiana for Hayes. The obstruc-
tionists kept their intentions to themselves,
and the two hours allowed for debate was
consumed mostly by Radical Baunting Of
the bloody-shirt or Democratic denuncia-
tons Of the Commission.
The most noticeable speeches were those
OF Seelye, Grape, and Pierce Republicans,
of Massachusetts; Cox and Wood, Of New
York; Ellis, of Louisiana; and Watterson.
Mr. Seelye said he thought the vote Of
Louisiana should be excluded, because the
charges on each side were in the main true.
The corruption on one side was perhaps
equal to the cruelty on the other, and he
had found it impossible to decide which OF
the two sets Of returns is the true voice Of
the people. He regretted to differ from the
wise and true men who had decided this
question in favor OF one candidate. A State
has the right to express its will in its own
way but there arc cases where Che suannuuan
jus becomes the summa injuris, and then
equity lays aside the letter Of the law.
NO FAIR ELECTION IN LOUISIANA.
Mr.. Grape failed to crowd his speech
within ten minutes, but the pith CT it was
that the election in Louisiana was not fair
expression of the will OF her people, as it
was Influenced and controlled by violence
OIL one side and fraud on the other.
Mr.. Pierce argued on about the same line,
and concluded that the votes Of tho State
should not be counted for either candidate.
Mr.. Wattcrson borrowed five minutes
party had been duped by false prctences
into snare. They must now either in
dulge in passionate cutlery and futile oppo-
sition, or honorab4y submit to the legal ope-
ration of the electoral act.
HOW THE DEMOCRATS WERE DUPED.
Mr.. Cox commanded the attention of the
House, as usual. lie said, " Yes, there was
snare in it, and the Democrats had been
caught" lie voted for the bill in good
faith, and when it was passed he knew that
virtue had gone out OF the House, but didn't
see exactly where it had alighted. The
House had surrendered valued prerogatives,
and now are allowed to discuss decision
that *s final, and to cast sort Of post-aaor-
tenn vote. 1t is a melancholy satisfaction
that day Of reckoning will come to those
who perpetrated this outrage Of this deci-
sion. .-'...
Mr.. Cox held in his hands large, old.
fashioned Bible, from which he said ne
would quote something about 'iniquity, sc
that the other side OF the House might re.
fleet and repent. Before he could comfort
ably adjust his eye-glass the Speakers ham
mer fell, and the House burst into roar oil
laughter at Cox's discontinue. He sal
down, but rose again and commenced tc
read, when Kelley Republlcan) objected
Cox gave it up, remarking, "Oh! the Bible
is dtiunde.'' .
THE TREACHERY OF THE COMMISSION De
NOCNCED.
Mr.. Wood, OF New York, denounced thu
political treachcry of the Commission, ant
declared it had made itself party to the
greatest vilIainy ever perpetratcd in thi
country. Yet he thought the electoral ac
should be carried out in good faith, at leas
by the Democrats.
The House having voted or to 99) t.
sustain the objections, Mr.. Gibson, Of Lou
isiana, moved that the Senate be informed
that the House was ready to receive then
in Joint session. This was agreed to, few
Democrats voting "No," and the joint ses
sion commenced at 1:40 P. n.
General Sherman, Bancroft the historian
Groesbeck, Evarts, General Sickles, D. w
VOORHEES,. Governor Mccormick, and Par
son Newman, were among the distinguishes
persons permitted the privileges OF til
floor. '''. III. .
, Watterson went over and took seat wit
Garfield, and Hewitt with Seelye, and the
kept up conversation almost to the close o
the joint session. '
........... COUNTING THE VOTE.
Louisiana, Maine, and Massachusett
were counted for Hayes, and Maryland TO
Tilden. The certificate from Michigan wa
read, and when an opportunity to vote TO
objections was offered, Mr.. Tucker sub
mittcd written objections to counting tn
vote Of Daniel l.. Crossman, appointed il
place Of Hanchett, who held the office 0
, United States commissioner at the time 0
the election and on the 9th OF December.
The Senate withdrew and at once dis
cussed the. objection; and unanimousl
i rejected it. ......,.... ...... ar.aI.. i,
Il In the House, Southland (Democrat)
4 of Ohio, moved recess until to-mor
row.. alleging that he wanted time t
i consider the question. raised, SaYle
Democrat), OF Ohio, wanted to tax
arecess until half-past seven to-day, ant
then receive certain privileged report
which had been made the special order TO-
to-day. IT,: Il. ~ III
: "A discussion arose upon questions Of or
! der, and it became apparent that the OBJ
cfryfctionista naopt RI foRo n duopfo ora n