New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-12
THE JOINT CONVENTION.

WASHINGTON, Feb IL The JOINT meeun2 oi Noh-
cress Yesterday for continuing the counting OF the
electoral votes was less interesting than that OF
The 1st of February. The suppostion that no delays
would occur bat that the important business would
no taken up Immediately after the expiration of the
recess at 10 o'clock yesterday, attracted TO the Cap
;tol considerable number of spectators-whO about
half filed the galleries-and the entire corps OF
Washington correspondents and journalists. The
chairs on the Republican side about half filled
whom the Sneaker called the House TO order and an
nouneed that the hour for resumng business had
arrived but on the Democratic side the desks were
mostly empty In accordance with an understand
ing arrived by the Democratic leaders last even
ing further recess orderediuntil 11:55. The
two hours which intervened We're principally spent
by the members OF the House and the few Others
who were admitted TO the floor in discussing the de-
csion arrived at by the Electoral Commission last
evening. The Democrats as a body looked sober
and disappointed and in conversation they did not
attempt to conceal their conviction that
the prospect for inaugurating Gov. Iilden
as President of the United States was less
favorable than it had been at any time since the
9TH of November.
The conversation which took place between Dem
ocratic Representatives and Others on the floor yes
terday was of highly interesting character. The
who voted against 1t were exnltant that their
prophecy that the measure was simply trap INTO
which the Democratic party was drawn by its I'M
skillful leaders, had been soon verified. These
men will hereafter assert with the greatest vehe-
mence their right to dictate the policy of the Demo-
cratic party, and Will never cease to point TO the
evidences of their superior judgment in their votes
against this Electoral bill. Many of those who
originally supported the bill and urged its passage
upon their less willing party associates express
great disappointment at the results of Its Oper-
alton One of the most conservative Demo-
Gratis in the House remarked that his party
might have fOreseen what the effect OF the
bill would be. 1--WE thought" he said,
THAT we were writing one of the most
beautiful pages in American history and one to
which children would in future times refer with
pride but if turns ont that all decisions in this
tribunal are of partisan character. and that even
OF questions not vital the Republicans all vote on
one side and the Democrats the other, we may
have great reason to regret having adopted the
measure at all, and our experience may simply be
fruitful as warning to orr pOsterity in all time TO
come. fear that we have 10 learn the uDpalatabe
lesson that there can be no impartial tribunal Ill this
country to which political questions can be sub
mtted, and that in addition to this. public CONN.,
dence in and respect for the Supreme Court Itself
will be greatly shaken. For myself i should have
preferred almost any other settlement of the con-
troversy than one which involves an expense like
this but il was because l believed in the honesty
and craftsmanship of the men who would compose
the Commission that supported it,"
Another Democrat remarked that while ne dld not
give up ali hope that the Commission would take
such ground in the yet TO be submitted TO II as
would enable 1t to determine the controversy IN ac
rio he W
that if the policy thus far pursued was continued
Gov HAYES would be declared President in spite of
every consideration of Justice and right He was an
original advocate of the Compromise bill, and he
supported il because he believed that when the proof
of the frauds and cOnspracies by which the votes OF
Louisiana and Florida we're given to Hayes were
laid before these mon they would not only take
cognzance Of them but decide them in accordance
with law and equity. But if the Commission Will
not consider any of these matters and is determined
81 any event TO return Gov Hayes as elected, the
Democrats have no resource but TO submit, and TO
appeal TO the good and love of justice OF the
country at large. That he believed would sustain
them, and in the end secure the triumph OF justice
Various rumOrs were current upon the floor before
tie reassemblng of the House in regard TO the
future policy Of the Democratic party, and some OF
the reports were of a very sensational character.
determined to break up the Commission, and to
prevent the submission to it of any other questions
growing out of the counting of the vote. The
Banner in which ID was said this would be done was
BY inducing Justices Clifford and Field TO resign.
One report mentioned David Dudley Field as the
prime mover in this scheme. No proof that any
thing of the kind was contemplated could be found,
and the absuriy OF it was shown by reference
to &c Electoral bill, which confcrs upon the
rehImDg Justices the right and the duty
TO III any vacancies which may occur
In thor branch of the Commission. If Justices Chi
lord and Field should resign, the remaining three
justices Of the Supreme Court would undoubtedly
Immediately elect Justices Swayne and Hunt and
tie Commission would proceed with its work The
only result would be that the Democrats would lose
two representatives the Commission, and the Re
pubhcans would gain two. 1t is not believed that
anything Of the kind seriously contemplated by
any influential Democrat, but the report evidently
originated with some hot-headcd men who have
always been willing ever since Congress met to en-
gaze in almost any revolutionary scheme that has
been suggested.
On tue reassenibling If the House at IL o'clock.
Speaker Randall presented the notice signed by
Justice Clifford that the Commission had agreed in
regard 10 the Florida case, and had transmitted its
opniOn in accordance with the act, to the President
Oh the Senate. Mr.. Lynde at once moved that the
CLERK OF the House be instructed to inform the SEN
ate that Joint meeting would be held at o'clock.
MI. Hale raised the point of order that postpone
ment was proper. but that it was necessary for the
two houses TO Teassemble at once in joint session,
and proceed with the count. The point Of order
overruled and an amendment offered by Mr. Hale
that the House inform the Senate that 1t was then
ready 10 receive u. was also defeated.
An awkward nterregnum occurred In the Senate
viii lo frnr failuYe of the Hnnsa