New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-05
BY TELEGRAPH.
CONGRESS,
SENATE.

ing the hope that the party copsiderstiona
would be laid aside and pure, uDselfish pN-
triotism control the action of Congress- in
| the matter.
In presenting the petition he spoke of the
Character and standing of those signing the
petitlon, and said they were men long and
honOrably associated with great enter
prises and Industries, and it might not bS
amlss lor MIN to add his sympathy with the
appeal OF the petitioners for nstriotia
and lawful action, the observaneg Of
the constitution, obedience to the
law, and the maintenance of truth.
was not party question or q
party proceeding. Parties might contend,
aDo shouIu contend, over measures and
men, but when question had been sub-
mitted to the ballot box, there was one law
tut duty, one lawful proceeding remaining,
ana that was to find the honest, true resuit.
declare II, and abide by it; that was the
duty OF the hour. 1t rested on the House;
IL resteO on the Senate it rested on the pa-
ton; It restsd on every citizen of the repub-
lc Party Interests, as we'll as PATRIOTISM
and honor prompted in one direction and
taught one lesson. That lesson is, whoever
stands on truth and right shall not fell;
WhoeveF stands on falsehOod and wrong
shall be overthrown.
The petition was referred to the special
committee of seven Senators appointed TO
deVlse means for proper count of the cleo
tOral vote.
Mr.. C,nkling presented fourteen memo
rlals against the bill to amend the shipping
act
Mr.. Wright's bill establishing court to
count the electoral vote was discussed and
referred to the select committee on counting
the electoral vote.
During the debate Mr. Herman said he
= could not agree with some of the views eE-
pressed by the Senator from Iowa tMr
wright and desired to express his dissent
now. The Senator from Iowa had argued
! that It was the right and the duty of the.
presiding officer of the Senate to count the
, vote; that ihe duty was imposed upon him.
de Mr.. hernaDl could not agree to that
construction of the constitution. He did
not think l; was the intention of the framerB
OF the constitution to impose any such duty
on that officer.
Tue two houses of Congress had the
f right, and have imposed upon them by
l the constitution the duty of counting the
vote.
Mr.. Herman then quoted from the CON
. | stltutiOn, and said the duty devOlved upon
, the two houses of Congress, representing
the States aRd the people, to see that no
improper or fraudulent vote was counted.
. He did not desire to srgue the question at
8 length to-day, but submitted that the two
n houses OF Congress were not to sit dumb
like statues and see wrong go on. The
practice of the counting of the votes had
{ not been in accordance with any such con
Il structiOn of the constitution. On every
a occasion each house had appointed tellera TO
count the votes, and he read the precedentR-
On every occasion when any question had
arisen in regard to counting a certificate,
the two houses had separated to decide the
matter. |. had never been held that the
President of the Senate had the eonstitu-
tiOnal duty or right to count u vote.
He then quoted from numerous pleoe-
deD's, and referred to the case of Missouri
10 in 1921, in regard to which he said when il
| rhaft oh he
IL raised as TO the vote of that State, a con-
mittee of the two houses agreed upon rasO-
luton, that if any ObjsetlOn should be made
g. TO the vote OF the State, and the counting
10 or OmittiDg TO count the same would not
change the result of the election, ench result
should be stated both ways, with ana without
the vote OF Missouri. He argued that it
y | would not be wise now for Congress to at
u tempt to give new construction to the
constitution which would greatly add 70
what all deprecated-the heat and excite
h ment OF the hOdr. Every Senator and
IT every Representative in Congress should
enter upon the discharge of this duty Of
l. counting the vote without prejudice and
without partiality. At this time every man
should remember that the important ques-
q ton before Congress arises above all party
It questions. In counting the electoral vote,
!, II case came up where there was fraud and
v where it was shown beyond a doubt that
# the certificate was a falsehOOd, the safety
of the government and the peace of the
people demanded that it should not be
counted. He united with all men in the
hope ard belief that all these questions
z would be settled according to the constitu-
d ton and the laws, and that the real lrHth
j. would prevail.
Mr.. sherman, of Ohio, inquired if the re-
suit of either house ObjeetiDg TO the count
E. ing of the vote of State would be the ex-
D. clnsiOD of that vote.
r, Mr.. KernGn said he would like to hsas
that matter discussed.
le Mr.. Sherman said he did not intend t.
II express his opinions upon the questions
D, about to arise but he would examine them
calmly and dispsssOnstely.
ID He had no doubt that when the tWO
10 Houses cOncurred that the vote of State
3. was fraudulent it should not be oonnted
v but il the two houses disagreed as to ths
IN count of a vote, it would be revolutionary
r. The objection of either House could e1eindG
that vote,
is Mr.. B 5gy, of Missouri, said that was thG
re twenty-second joint rule.
re Mr. Sherman said the result of such 4
ct rule was worse than that of any rule il
Mexico. He had hopes, not yet elOuded il
a | the slightest degree, that the two houses o
va | Congress through their committees, WO1RG
70, agree upon plan by which the vote fol
81 President would be peacefully and cara
fully counted. He regretted that the Dem
no ooratic party in his own State had appeale4
"a to popular prejudiees, and called meeting
le- | on q day sacred to the Democratic party
iy for the purpose of having resolutions passeS
OF in regard to the presidential question at
sh time when both houses of Congress Wer
An considering the disputed subjects. He va
be gIad to say that the great party to whiel
of | he belonged was quiet calm and eersne
de No public meetings had been called by tn
,en | Republican party TO instruct Rspubiica
an. Senators and Representatives, and he hops
M there would be none. BE expressed hi
M. profound hope that the Senators and ReI
ao- resentatives and the people would show D
Ia their moderation, good sense and temper b
ar tween now and the time for the counting
,an the vote that they could be calm, and nc
MT add to the excitement by threats He 81
AN pealed to the press to be moderate an
90 make no threats or menace
ret House.
ted The House passed the bill granting
all. pensiOn of S. month to the soldiers an
the sailors of the Mexican, Florida and Blael
his | hawk ware and their widows. IL exclude
ort persons under political disabilities.
'ort A resolution introduced by Mr. Thr0o
morton, of Texas, directing inquiry into Il
DurDoee for which troops have been st
OF tioned in Washington was objected to {
,g's the Republican side Of the House and vi
ov- therefore not received.
re- s
NY WASHINGTON
I'M
xes Committee Wsrk.
quo NJ exrv,ynrn, January 4-Tbe Rnaci