The New York herald., 1877-02-07
WASHINGTON.
The Electoral Commission in
Secret Session.
NO CONCLUSION ARRIVED AT.
General Impression Regarding the Decision
in the Florida Case.
THE MOST PLAUSIBLE THEORY GIVEN.
Ebb and Flow Of Feeling Among
the Respective Partisans.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF SECRETARY MORRILL,
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
General Impression Regarding the Decision
in the Florida Case.
THE MOST PLAUSIBLE THEORY GIVEN.
Ebb and Flow Of Feeling Among
the Respective Partisans.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF SECRETARY MORRILL,
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
wAsHIycros. Feb. Q, 1871


There has becn intense curiosity all day about the
deliberations Of the Electoral Commission. That body
held sessions both private, the first from twelve
10 three and the second from hapast
three until haIi.past seven. Some OF the
members were very tired and went TO bed as soon as
they got homo. Tho full Of rumors. Of
course, the prevailing one being that the commission,
by very decided majority, some say IL 70 8
others 10 8. hold that they have power TO go
back OF the Governors certificate and that whatever
power the House have the commission has This is
vague and says more than the electoral law itself,
which expressly gives to the commission all the powers
OF the houses
The commission win rsassemos TO- morrow Al ten
O'Clock with closed DOORS and 1t believed that It has
been determined 10 como 10 q decision at three
o'clock, in which case the result would probably be
made known counsel OF both sides tomorrow
afternoon.
The following ID the most authentic account Of the
days doings: The commission secluded itsolf moro
successfully than bad been anticipated. Only two
clerks, Mr. Mckinney and another were present with
tho commission behind the locked doors OF the
Supreme Court chamber. Guards besides the regular
aud extra Capitol policemen, we're duty At the
three eRtrances 80 particular were the instructions
OF the President the commission that the Marshal
Of tho Court locked the door leading 70 the chamber
tho gallery and placed in front Of Il a
trustworthy Keeper, and kept two sent,nels on
watch o. the private entrance for The
Judges II was feared, evon, that false key might
be used without these precautions at any one Of the
doors
The commission ~ once began . discussion, which
was continued, with single intermissioR, for seven
hours Al three O'Clock the intermsson occurred for
lunch, which was served In the consuta.
tion room on the opposite side Of tho
corridor. Then tho commission repaired 10 its seats
and continued until hafpast five o'clock courteous
and kindly discussion between It's nanks consisting
chiefly Of members and Senators. II is exactly
certaned whether any OF the Supreme judges par
tcpated but II ID certain that the judges took
GUS or considerable part in the discussion to-day.
Tho major part Of the debate was held by the mom-
bers OF tho commission delegated by tho two houses,
and the attitude Of the speakers was Notwithstanding
the formal equality Of the members of the iss,on
similar in some 0esree 70 that Of advocates toward
court
Despite the statements to the contrary NO
conclusion whasever has boon reached and no member
or the commIryon Ls8s=s ablc tonight TO prophesy
the vote tomorrow than any person excluded from
scene OF its deliberations.
Mr.. Payne will open the debate In the commission
Tomorrow morning, and It will probably be continued
during Hvo hours session. The night that Ia bong
waged Ia persistent, and tonight either side has an
equal chance before the judges Tomorrow will
decide.
Is probable that the commission reached the con.
cuson that II In its power take other evidence
than that offered in tho certificate OF the Governor
and that the discussion tomorrow in the commission
will relate 10 the question how far the Examination
should go beyond the certificate of tho Governor
Individual arguments may be submitted in writing
by tho several members Of tho commission
and the nna vote to bc taken tomorrow afternoon
at three o'clock. The understanding is that tho judi
ciaI members of the commission will hold separate
session They have taken part in tho discussion
to-day and 1t Is said to DO their strong desire TO stand
together upon whatever may be decided
1t is said tonight by persons likely to be we'll in
formed that decision to go behind the Governors
certificate to the returns before tho Returning Board
Is not likely to cause much delay, as the evidence
s all in and could easily be prepared for submission in
the shape OF an agreed case. II is certain
that the commission Is not inclined to tolerate
any needless delay. The decision to be reached to-
morrow will necessarily govern and cover the cases of
the other disputed States
Though nothing authentic Is known OF the course OF
discussion In the commission to-day, or of the ten
dency OF opinion among the members, the democrats
are encouraged tonight and the republicans more
anxious than they were last evening Senator Nor
ton did not return TO his hotel from the deliberations
of tho commission until near nine O'Clock this
evening. He complained Of much fatigue and said
that no conclusion had been reached as yet
AN ABSURD STORY REGARDING SENATOR coNK-
LING.
An absurd story has been circulated in newspaper
here that Senator Conkng had said that Mr. Tilden
had been elected and ought be and would certainly
be the next President Mr.. Conklng has said nothing
OF the kind.