The Portland daily press., 1877-01-26
From the Maine State Pressof Jan. %, 1877.
History Of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
Might, Jan. ID.

POLITICAL.
The event of the week has been the report to
Congress by tho joint committee of the two
houses of an electoral bill for settling the dispu
tod Presidency. The bill will be found elsewhere
In full. 1t has been very favorably received by
the mass of people, and there is little doubt
that it will pass Congress. There is strong OPP
position to it by few public men, who believe
1t unconstitutional. Senators Morton, Sher-
man and Eaton lead this opposition. But it is
not believed that they have much strength be-
hind them. The expression of the business in
terests of the country is unanimously in favor
of the measure, and it has been endorsed by
great meetings of business men all over the
country. President Grant is quoted as saying
In conversation with friend on the proposed
electoral compromise, that he had not yet had
time to examine the bill carefully and critically
but on general principles he approved of
measure of the character described, and if not
Objectionable in detail, or If it did not contain
provisions at variance with the spirit and letter
of the constitution, he would accord to it his
prompt approval. He is much encouraged by
the prospect of peaceful solution of the diff
Guilty. The country, he said, is now in condi.
ton to begin period of unexampled prosper-
ty, founded on correct principles of business
and proper standard of value, and all that is
wanting is an amicable and satisfactory settle
ment of the Presidential question.
The Republican Senators have held caucus
for the purpose of comforting upon the bill
Friends of the measure were DESTROYS that
cokso,, hn +olr A.
wished an expression of views by their political
friends, that they might more definitely ascer-
tain to what extent antagonism in their own
rank goes.
Senator Edmunds, whose position on the
committee which framed the bill enabled him
to comprehend the force of all its provisions,
presented careful analysis of its principal
features, placing peculiar stress upon its con-
sttutionaiity, which is the ground of objection
to many. This led to a very full expression of
opinion from most of the Senators present
1t was evident from this that the bill did not
meet with very hearty approval, though dis.
position was shown by some to vote tor it sim,
ply as measure of expediency.
The Democratic Senators also held caucus for
the purpose of considering the line of polcyto be
pursued in discussing the present bill. Thurman
and Bayard are of the opinion that the Demo-
Gratis ought not, at present at least, to enter in
to discussion of the measure. 1t is probable
that this course will be pursued. There are
quite number of Democratic Senators who
are disposed to oppose it, but they will proba-
bly, give in their adhesion and finally vote for
it.
of I'll;
favoring the plan of the joint committee as a
basis for statement of the electoral question:
says he and others of the party will insist on
an amendment before giving to it their sup
port. The amendment is in the direction of the
judicial feature of the bill.
There are many more members of both parties
who do not give the bill their unqualified ap-
proval than there are members who approve of
it. All want the subject fully discussed before
final action. The general impression is that
both Houses will agree upon some plan for set
thing all questions connected with the electoral
vote.
A suit has been commenced in capias in the
United States District Court against ex-Gov.
Samuel j. Tllden to recover $50, 200, alleged
balance due of income tax.
Beverly Nash, colored, Of South Carolina,
testified Monday that he was one of the
Hayes electors, and member of the South
Carolina Senate. On the dag of election he
says q. D. Childs, President of the South Caro-
lima National Bank, sent for him and told him
Ii he could get three Republican Senators to 60
over to the Democrats and seat the claimants
of seats from Laurens, Edgefeld and Abbeville
counties, he could get money for so doing, &c.
900 for each one he secured. "Then," said Mr.
Childs, "there is the electoral VOTE If you will
agree to vote for Tilden, you can get $4,000
now and $4,000 more as soon as the thing is
consummated.' Nash declined the offer.
The President has vetoed the bill for the
abolition of the police board of commissioners,
which was passed by both Houses without op-
position.
The House judiciary committee has unani-
mously adopted the following resolution, to be
submitted to the House as their report upon the
subject indicated:
Resoloed, That articles of impeachment
ought not TO be preferred against George w.
Robson, Secretary of the Navy, for violations
OF the law which have occurred in his depart
ment because there is therein no Grimm al in
tent or corrupt motive on his part, which would
constitute SUCH violations.
Senatorial elections have resulted in the
choice of George F. Hoar in Massachusetts,,
John r. MACPHERSON in New
Jersey, Democrat; james E. Bailey in Tennes-
see, Democrat; and Alvin Saunders in Ne
brasks, Republican. There is no choice in
Illinois yet.
The Western Union Telegraph has sue
nd 30 Jo, Sc, ~
grams.
Matters are in about the same situation in
Louisiana. The President has no present in
tention OF changing his policy relative to the
State. The members OF the returning board
have been arrested for contempt of the National
House.
In Florida recount of the electoral vote
has been ordered and, made, showing on the
face of the returns majority of "a for Tilden.
As the electors have already cast their votes
the recount is of no consequence.
Murtagh's resignation as member of the
police board has been accepted, and Ira G.
Kimoall appointed in his place.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has
called the attention of the Secretary of the
Treasury to the increase of frauds upon the
revenue BY Illicit distillation of spirits. and to
the difficulty Of enforcing the internal revenue
laws In several of the Southern States and
troops have been ordered to assist the civil
officers.
The Mississippi investigation brings out still
more striking evidence of Democratic fraud
aud intimidation.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate Thursday Mr.. Boutwell, intro
dueed bill to increase the pension to the
widow of Col. Fletcher Webster 1t was re-
fArred The Hnnsa arnandnnnnfs To thu hill