The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-01-23
Especial TO the st. Louis Republican }
TIE nATrIr OPENS,

Especial 70 the ST. LOUIS hepuDlicen.
TIE BATTLE OPENS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The line Of
battle on the electoral count bill Is De
coming more clearly drawn. There Is an
sckno wledged opposing force headed
BY Morton In the senate and probably
Hale In the house, Garfield having about
decided to support the bill. The spirit OF
the senatorial caucuses held by both par
ties this evening gives very good idea
as to the fate Of the measure in the sem
ate. At the Democratic caucus there
was full meeting. Thurman and Bay
ard explained the bin and spoke In its
favor, as did others present. Not word
was said against it, although Eaton and
Merrimon, who in conversation oppose
the measure. were there.
THE CAUCUS OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS
Was not so harmonious. On the con-
trary it was very inharmonious. Nor
ton with his slight following had sharp
words with Edmunds and Conkling, and
the caucus broke up in mild row. Ed
munds' speech in the senate this after
noon is pronounced by all hands to be
the clearest and most logical argument
heard In that body since Webster's time.
For clear understanding Of the bill, to-
gether with all points raised in this pres
idential contest, especially regarding the
alleged right Of the vice-president to
count the vote, the speech is
COMMENDED TO ALL MINDS.
1t is being sent..in full by Associated
press. 1t has increased the chances for
the passage of the bill fifty per cent.
Merton tonight gives up hope OF defeat
ing it, yet will try to do so, making his
speech on Monday next. Conkling Will
probably follow Morton, and then Thur
man and Bayard. In the house the
Democrats arc more solicited and the
heaviest vote in opposition Will come
from the Republican side OF that body.
If the bill is defeated mainly by Republic
can votes, there is one thing to be de-
pended upon by the Democrats, and that
is that they will have the cooperation Of
Conkling and Edmunds, and probably
Jim Blaine, with their following, in
throwing out the vote Of Louisiana and
Florida, and in opposing the vice-presi-
dents right to count.
BRAZIL MAIL LINE.
Gen. Clark's house committee on post
offices and post-roads has heard the
New York gentleman on the Brazil mail
line scheme and are waiting to hear from
MIR. Samuels and ex-Gov. Stanard OF st.
Louis.
SENATOR EpMUNDs on THE BILL.
At the expiration Of the morning
hour. on motion of MIR. Edmunds. the
bill reported by the special committee In
regard to the count of the electoral vot'
was taken up.
EDMUNDs' REMARKS.
MIR. Edmunds said that as fittinI
commencement to the consideration O
this bill he would have read the Twelfth
article OF the constitution Of the United
States which.Ihe bill proposed to execute
That article having been read, Mr.
Edmunds said that under this article o
the constitution some eight or ten mil
lions of citizens of the United States
authorized by the laws to select chic
magistrate in the way prescribed in thi
article, had endeavored to discharge tina
duty. They had expressed their pref
erence, and the contest was so close i
became matter of serious dispute be
tween million Of people on one sid'
and five million on the other as to whicl
OF these candidates had been elected
Congress was now brought fac
to face with the question q
to what means were left TO
deciding this dispute. A large part &
the people on either side believe thei
candidate to have been honestly elected
and If kept out OF Office
great constitutional wrong would b
done. If there was any dut,
greater than another devolying upol
congress. it was that Of providing some
means by which, no matter what the re
suit might BIZ, all men might see the du'
course of law had been taken. 1t hat
appeared TO the committee charged witt
the onerous and unpleasant duty o.
framing this bill, that if the constitution
authorized them to lay down line Of
procedure which should lead to any re.
suit through calm, orderly administra.
ton of law, 1t would be benehcent ACT
for the republic. On the contrary, Il
congress should tail TO do this. our pos
terity, under this or some other form o.
government, would feel that this con
gress had tailed in performing a grea
duty.
Mr.. EdMunds then referred TO the Ia
bors Of the committee, and said that or
posing political opinion, opposing polit
cal education, and partisan feeling ha
subsidized ON both sides. and to the me,
sures upon which they solemnly unite
in reporting they invited the consider,
tios of the senate. lie explained Il
nature Of the bill. In regard to the fir
section OF the bill, lac said his own ind
yidual opinion was, where one retur
only had been received from state, an
it was objected to. it should be referrt
to the tribunal organized in the bill, i
stead Of requiring the affirmative vot
OF the two houses to reject it. The Il
bunai organized by the bill would
called upon to determine whether ca,
coahicting ceruncate coming rom
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