The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-06

w AoaANOI0N, GCU. "a 1otts
Certainly never before was the hall of the
House OF Representatives or any hall on this
continent, filled with so many distinguished
men as assembled on yesterday to witness the
counting of the electoral vote. VIM M.
Everts, Judge Black and Charles O'Conner
were there. The historian, Bancroft, Judges
OF the Supreme Court, and the General of the
army were present Members of the cabinet,
many governors and ex-governers of the states
were on the floor; while the gallaries were
filled with the diplomatic corps, the families of
Representatives and Senators, members of the
Press and an Select" host that had teeu ad-
mitted by ticket The interest in the count
was such as has never before been manifested
and when, at one o'clock. the Senators filed in
two abreast, and arm in arm, while the mem
bers of the House arose to receive them, the
solemnity of the occasion. and the magnitude
OF the interests involved were felt in profound
silence. The Senators took the seats that had
been reserved for them, the great lame Senator
from Indiana coming in last upon his crutches.
Assoon as order was restored after the confusion
incident to the seating of the Senators, Vice
President pro ten.pore Ferry announced that in
''S~~AN~ASS WIN WHO aCt VI SUuRT6SS tu6 COUNT
ing OF the votes would be proceeded with Un-
locking one of the boxes in which the certifi-
Gates were all carefully arranged in alphabet
Cal order he took from it the certificates of The
State of Alabama. Inspecting the exterior of
one OF the two packages be bssSSike the seal of
the one delivered him 81 the messenger, took
from y tae paper inclosed, which he at once
PASSED to Senator Allison, one of the tellers on
the part of the Senate, who proceeded to read
the electoral vote and the accompanying re-
dundant legal certificates. As he approached
the conclusion excitement and anxiety arose to
an almost painful height, for it had been an
nounced that Senator Spencer would object
to the returns from Alabama. All eyes were
turned toward him while he sat grasping the
arms Of his chair as if ready to rise. But if
he entertained such an intention, he did not
carry it out. The court proceeded smoothly
and without incident until the vote of Florida
was reached, when, after the Hayes electoral
returns were read, the Vice President presented
another set of returns from that state, and,
whom these had been read by the tellers, to the
surprise of all, there was a third set of returns
presented, duly attested and stamped with the
proved to be more voluminous than
any of the others, for it contained in
detail the vote of every county in Florida
Mr.. Conkling insisted that the total footings
only should be read, and this was agreed to
with the understanding that the matter should
be printed in e1tenso in the Record. The read.
ing OF the returns from Florida was followed
BY objections presented respectively by David
Dudley Field against the Hayes certifi-
Gates, and by Senator Sargent and Representa-
tive Kasson of Iowa against the Tilden certif-
Gates The certificates from Florida, with
accompanying papers, were referred to the
committee appointed under the provisions of
the now electoral bill, and this committee en-
tsred Immediately upon preliminary considera-
ton of the question in the Supreme Court
room. 1t is, of course, idle to speculate upon
the final result. If the committee decides that
Florida must be counted for Tldep, tho agony
will be over; if, however, the State shall be
counted for Hayes, hope and anxiety will be
prolonged.
The court of reference and the investigating
committees absorb all interest now; but little
thought is given to legislation. The appropria-
ton bills were never before so far behind al
this advanced day of the short session as they
now are, and q call for an extra session of Con-
gress it seems will be indispensable.
Just at present society seems to have a pen.
chant for masked balls. Oar Representatives
and their wives and daughters must have recre-
alton, something ''to knit the raveled sleeve Of
care" The bal masQue at Wizards Hotel
last night, was the social event of the week.
Many distinguished personages were presents
among others stripping the light fantastic toe''
was Gen. Sherman. Wizards spacious and
elegant hotel has large hall to which there is
access by covered and carpeted way. The
hall is used for dancing, the drama, lectures or
religious services, as the occasion demands.