The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-26

ton. Mr.. Sherman argued that the bill was uncon-
sttutioual and he particularly opposed the clause
providing for the selection OF hve Judges OF the
Supreme Court ~ members Of the comInission. He
also opposed the measure because It undertook 10
delegate powers conferred upon Congress 70 Q com.
mission; He argued that the Dill
.nS 70 , spRy 70
unconstitutional. Another feature 81 the Dill
which violated the spirit CT the constitution WAS
that authorizing the appointment OF aoomminee OF
Ave members OF each house members OF = COM
mission, not to take dispositions and report as other
committees. but TO be beyond the control OF the two
houses after being organized. He approved OF on,y
one feature Of the bill and that was that
neither House had the right TO reject the electoral
vote Of State. Mr.. Sherman was followed by Mr..
Conkling in a two hours speech In favor OF the
bill Mr.. Conkling contended that 10 WAS the right
aud duty OF Congress to ascertain and verify the
electoral votes, and declare the true result OF
Presidential elections, or else. by an assertion OF
the law-making power, to declare how those acts
should be done. He denied that the power TO
count the votes vested In the President Of the
Senate and said II the constitution gays all the
power to one man, IL was not easy to see how Con-
gress could witness or verify the act. To open GER
tfcates was purely ministerial act, but to count
the votes was something more. The good certih-
Gates must be assorted from the bad ones. MIR.
Copkling spoke at some lens tn 10 the constitu-
tionality OF the bill, and asked, did not reason
and fitness of things inform the Senate that our
fathers intended that the power to vitiate on the
allegation Of fraud irreguarity the electoral
vote of State, and thus turn an election, should
not be reposed in one man? They knew II wouln
be safer reposed in the American Congress. II was
not DESIGNED TO commit this vast power to one man.
especially as that man might be the sole Judge in
his own case. Mr. Conkling unable, on &C
count OF illness, to conclude his remarks, and fur
thor consideration Of the bill p -stponed one
day.
Hotise.-The President sent to the House mes
sage explaining his reasons for sending troops to
the South just before the recent Presidential cleo
ton. 1t was done in response to a resolution
adopted In December last. The resolutions re-
ported by the Select Committee on Privileges, de-
claring that the President Of the Senate has not,
and that Congress has. the right to count and
declare tine electoral votes, taken up.
Prof. Seelye secured the floor and delivered a
strong speech in support of the Compromise bill.
He denounced the report Of the Committee on
Privileges, and warned the House not to indorse a
doctrine which, ne claimed, would result in max
ing the President the creature and the tool of the
House. As 70 the methods of the last election and
the testimony taken by both parties in the South
ern committees, Prof. Seelye said that the only
thing that is established beyond dispute IT, that
both parties acted wrongfully they could,
strained by no conscience by no sense of honor,
rectHude. Mr.. Williams, Of Wisconsin, argued in
favor of the counting of the electoral vote by the
President of the Senate. He followed by Mr.
Tucker, of Virginia, in three hours speech in IA
vor of the Compromise bill Mr.. Buttz was admit
ted AZ member from South Carolina and took the
iron dad oath