Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-02-03


but time, at whose great altar all passions and
all prejudices must bow, would at last vindicato
the bill and those who proposed II.
Mr.. Morton Qiop) OF Indiana, presented and
xead n number Of kilograms from tho people OF
indiana, against the passage OF the bill, and
Of them from his own and other States, lie
declared that leading Republican papers were
against it. In reply to this Mr.. Mcdonald
! (Dem.) OF Indiana, said that he was ut Indian
apos three days before and heard but one
opinion relative TO the bill and that was il,
favor of IL.
Mr.. Bayard Dem J, Of Delaware, spoke for
two hours on the bill and in its favor.
! Mr.. Christiancy Qtep.), of Michigan, also
spoke in favor of the bill, closing with strong
protest against the charge that the judges will
disregard their oaths and decide according to
their political predictions. He said that the
party which should reject this bill without
Offering one equally fair would necessarily for
felt the support of the people.
Mr. Dawes (Iep.), of Massachuso ts, wanted
the scope of the bill defined so that the COM
mission should not claim the right to invade
the state of Massachusetts, and take from the
governor and council the power Of determining
who the State has appointed az her electors.
Mr.. Thurman Dem. J, of Ohio, spoke in favor
of the bill He maintained the constitutionali-
ty Of the measure, and argued that the ques-
ton WAS of such Importance that the perpetu-
ty of the nation depended upon its solution.
There never was greater reason than now to
constitute such tribunal as the bill proposed,
beneath which in importance all Others sunk
into insgnifcance. As member of the Joint
committee he would say Democrat as he was
that he would be willing to submit the decision
of the question to the committee ITSELF for he
felt in the atmosphere which surrounded the
special committee that when the day of trial
came men could rise above party and perform
their duty
At seven o'clock in the morning. after u
night session, the bill passed the Senate by u
vote of A yeas to II nays. The vote for and
against the bill was as follows Affirmative go
Alcorn, Rep; Allison, Rep; Barnum, Dem.
,Bayard, DEM; Bogy, DEM; Booth, Ind. i;
Boutwell,, Rep. Burnside, Rep; Chaifee, Rep;
Uhr'atla Ty Rep; Cockr Dem n oon king
DEM: Dawes, Rep; Dennis, DEM; Edmnnds,
Rep Frelinghuysen, Rep; Goldthwaite Dem. ;
Gordon, DEM; Howe, Rep; Johnson, DEM. ;
Jones, of New, Rep; Jones, of Fla, DEM.
Kelly, DEM, Herman. DEM; McCrcery, DEM.
Mcdonald, Dem.; Mcmillan, Rep; Maxey,
DEM. Randolph. DEM; Ransom, Dem.; Rob-
ertson, DEM; salisbury, DEM; Sharon, Rep.
Stevenson, DEM; Teller, Rep; Thurman, DEM;
Wallace, DEM; Whyte DEM; Window, Rep;
Withers, Dem; Wright Rep.
Negative Blaine, Rep. Bruce, Rep. /;
Cameron. of Pa, Rep Cameron, of Wis, Rep,
Clayton, Rep. Conoyer, Rep. Dorsey, Rep:
Hamlin, Req; Ingalls,, Rep. Eaton, DEM:
Hamilton, Rep; Mitchell, Rep; Morton, Rep;
Patterson Rep; Sargent, Rep; Sherman,
Rep; West, Rep.
A good deal of lime was occupied in deciding
the question as to whether the House should
proceed to the consideration of the resolutions
reported from the committee on the privileges
M nj bp in la al
toral votes or to that of n compromise plan.
The Republicans favored the latter and the
Democrats the former. The House decided, by
n vote of ISL to 81, to proceed with the resolu-
tons reported by the committee on privileges,
which are as follows:
First-That the Constitution does not confer
on the president of the Senate power to ex-
anime and ascertain the votes TO be cast as
electoral votes.
Second-That the only power which the Con-
stitution does confer on the president of the
Senate in the matter is to receive the sealed
list transmitted to him by the several electoral
colleges, keep the same safely, and open all
the presence of the two Houses.
Third-That the Constitution does confer Oh
the Senate and House of Representatives the
power to examine and ascertain the votes to be
counted as electoral votes.
Fourth-That in the execution of such power
with the Senate and
Nfth-That no vote can be counted against
the Judgment and determination of the House
Of Representatives.
Mr.. Knott Dem. }, of Kentucky chairman of
the committee. addressed the House in support
Of the principles enunciated in the resolutions
with these words:
Believing that the House has a high power
md solemn duty to perform in regard to
counting the electoral vote for President and
in my humble Judgment, any
attempt on the part of any men or body of men
executive, Legislative or mnsterial-to coerce
his House to count vote which. i'll its judg-
ncnt is invalid or void, or to coerce this House
% throw out vote which, in its Judgment is
egal and valid or to interfere in any manner
whatever with the peaceful discharge of its
functions in this high regard,
would be an utter subversion of or constitu-
ional government, and, if accompanied by
lrmed and organized force, would be treason to !
he United States of America.
Mr.. Burchard (Rep.), of Illinois, a member
VI the committee. offered, on behalf of the four
republican members of the committee, the fol-
owing as a substitute for the resolutions by the |
First-That it is the power and duty of the
Iouse, conformably with the Senate, to provide |
~ law or other constitutional method, mode !
or fairly and truly ascertaining and properly |
ouuting the electoral vote of each State, so as
o give effect to the choice of each State in the |
lection of President and Vice-President
Second-That in the absence of legislative
provision on the subject, or authoritative direc-
ion from the Senate and House of Representa-
ives, the president of the Senate, upon opening
he certificates, declares and UNITS the electo-
al votes for President and Vice-President Of
he United States
Mr.. Hunter (Dem), of Virginia, from tho
judiciary committee, reported a resolution dis
harsing Wm. Orion, president of the Western
Inion Telegraph Company from the custody of
he sergcant-at-arms. Adopted
Mr.. Ellis (Dem), of Louisiana, offered
calling on the President for informa
ion in regard to the rival governments in
louisiana. Referred.
Two of the members of the Louisiana return
lg board, J. Madison Wells and Thomas c.
We're brought before the bar of the
louise to answer to the charge of contempt
hey asked for and were granted further time.
Messrs. Willis and TarboX expressed their
ostility to the Electoral bill, and Mr.. Chitten-
en-, of New York, followed with q speech in its
efensc. In the course of his remarks he said
hat he had ascertained that the House con-
aimed only ninety-one members who We're not
twyers He was, he said, one of the ninety-one
a layman-and while he had great respect for
he Constitution, and listened usually with
reat interest to the discussion of very nice and
he Constitutional points by the eminent legal
llcnt of the House. i'll this case he was mere
lyman. having the interests and prosperity If
he country at heart, wishing to see confidence
nd prosperity restored, and great calamities
vertel; begged them not to dwell too long on
hose reconcile nceties of law in which they
aturally delighted but to set the coun ry at
ase by passing the Electoral bill.
Mr.. Lamar (Dem.), of Mississippi, from the
aciic railroad committee, reported back
lvorably the Senate bill extending for eight
ears the time for the completion of the North
ri Pacific railroad. Referred.
Mr. Wood (Dem.) of New York, offered a
solution that the message of the President
'latge to the use of troops in the South be
,ierrod to select committee of eleven to
l1uire whether there had been an exercise of
uthority not warranted by the Constitutionand
TVS in the use of troops for which the Presi-
ent is justly responsible, with power to send
II persons and papers. After discussion, the
ssolution was adopted by vote of l3i yeas to
nays.
THE COMPROMISE ELECTORAL BILL.
Immediately after the opening of the House,
ne hill, which had been received from the
enate for concurrence, was referred to the
roper committee and almost instantly reported
ack, according to agreement, to allow of d.
ate.