River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-02-01
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
Froeeedings of the Second sessio

I
On the 22d Mr.. MeTrimOn submitted
a resolution in the Senate declaring it is not
/ within the lawful reach OF the Senate to charge
| committees FL the Senate with duties to be
/ performed away from the capitol while Con-
/ greSs Is III session. He said that recently one
| state was without representation, and twelve
| others with only halt their usual representa-
/ ton Mr.. Morton addressed the Senate at
1 length IN opposition 10 the bill for counting
/ the electoral vote. He believed the Republic
/ cans had conceded everything in cOnsenting
| that the counting of the votes should be taken
/ from the President of the Sena'e. Mr.. Cam
| eronalsO opposed the bill.
The House, on the ODD, defeated a
| resolution to inquire why the troops are being
removed from the frontier. A bin was intro
/ duced 10y Mr.. Frye TO establish a court for
the trial Of contested elections for the Office of
| President and Vice President. II provides
/ that the court shall consist of the Chief Jus
tee OF the Supreme Court and six judges OF
/ the I. :. Circuit Court, TO be selected by the
| Chief Justice. Mr.. Hunter moved TO suspend
| the rules and pass the joint resolution to
amend the constitution by providing that no
| claims shall ever be allowed for property lost
in the rebellion, unless the person was loyal
TO the government-lost, ll5 to - not two
/ thirds.
The Senate. on the 23d. resumed con
sideration OF the compromise bill, and Senator
Sherman spoke in opposition to it, giving as
one reason, hat he believed il unconsti:utiOn-
a and scheme by the Democrats to count in
Tilden. Senator CJnkling favored the pas
sage of the measure, but denied the mower of
the President OF the Senate to count the votes;
II the constitution gave all power to one man
II was not easy 20 see how Congress could
witness OF verify the act. Whatever words
the President OF the Senate chose to utter the
two houses must listen 10 him Mr. Conk-
ling being unable TO conclude his speech fur
ther consideration OF the question was post
poned one day.
Mr.. BuTtZ was admitted as a mem.
her, and took the IrOn-clad OATH on the 23d
Mr. SeeIye addressed the House at lengthupon
the all-impertant question, iavOring the COM
promise. Mr.. Williams, of Wis. believed the
President oi the Senate had the power to
count the electoral vote Mr.. Tucker made
cons itUtiOnal argument in the support OF
the compromise. The House then adjourned.
In the Senate, on the oath, the com.
promise bill was again taken up and Mr..
Sergeant spoke in opposition 10 the bill. He
argued that the power 70 count the electoral
votes lay IN the Senate. and that the conpro-
mise measure lett the decision on all ques-
tons with one man, the fifth Judge. He fur
ther opposed the bill because il degraded the
Supreme Court. and because ID invited a 10
litifal party defeated by the ordinary forms, to
elamor Tor smother hearing. He said it was a
surrender Of Republican rights. Mr..
Conkilng then concluded his speech
commenced the previous day. He de-
MED that the bill was a compromise: il
SURRENDERED Ia rights OF none. Mr. Morton
said he had over S09 letters from Indiana.
Ohio and other States approving his course in
opposing the compromise. Mr. Mcdonald
had been through Indians, aud the general 1
voice 81 Republicans as well rs Democrats /
favored the hill. Morton never regarded Nc /
Donald rs a correct exponent Of Republican /
principles. Senators BaYard. Christiancy. /
ard Morrill, endorsed the measure while /
Blaine believes Congress does not possess the /
power II proposes TO transfer. Senator Thur 4
msn also favored the bill
In the House. in considering the /
question Of privileges, Mr.. McDill. OF Iowa, /
thought the President OF the Senate alone /
bad power TO count the vote. Mr.. Bright 1
thought the whole power lay with Congress 4
and no returning board could oust its iuris-
dlctzon. The committee on Pacific railroads
reported hack iavOrably the bill for an eight
years extension TO the Northern Pacific. The
message OF the President relating to TROOPS in
the South on election day was referred TO a
special committee OF II with power to send
iorpeTs0ns and papers.
The Senate held an all night session
on the cath, debating the Presidential COM
promise bill and At ITO g. m. on the 95th a