The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-10
THE FIRST ISTIMATlON OF THE RESULT.
From Our Regular Correspondent

I
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February 9.-This after
noon rumor that the Commission had
agreed upon report upon the Florida case
spread rapidly through the legislative halls
and about the city, and very soon stream
of people turned their faces toward the
Capitol, and the corridors rapidly filed
with throng moving restively from the
House to the Senate and gathered in knots
about the door of the Supreme Courtroom.
1t was premature, but had an effect like
thrusting cane into hive Of bees.
Presently Hoar came out and hur-
ried into the Senate chamber, and 4
hundred eyes searched his features as he
made his way through the crowd, seeking
vainly to read in his face what had been
done. He whispered hurriedly 10 one or
two senators, and went down to take q
lunch. A dozen men cautiously followed
to catch any word he might let drop; but
he carefully avoided saying anything about
the labors OF the Commission. A few mln-
utcs later Garfield went over to the House,
his face beaming with delight, and
GAVE AWAY THE SECRET
to one or two OF his friends that the State
was given to Hayes. Still it was said too
indefinitely to enable anybody to determine
| whether the remark referred to Humphries
only or to the whole four electors, and he
was gone in minute.
Kellogg flew about from place to place,
looking inexpressibly happy that the infal-
libility of returning boards had been appa-
rently pronounced by the High Joint Com
mission.
In the Senate chamber the rumor had
little effect. Senators grimly hammered
away on the Pacific railroad bill until adj
iournment closed the prospect for joint
session to-day. The House was i'll Commit
tee OF the Whole on private bills, and OF
course the proceedings were horribly dull.
Joyce was reading long speech, inaudible
] at ten feet, when it became known that the
Commission would certainly give Florida to
HAYES. II the Democrats had been blue all
day the majority of them now
|
and they adjourned in disgust.
The Commission continued in secret ses-
sion until about 6 O'Clock, when COM
mittce, consisting of Messrs. Garfield,
Bradley, and Edmunds, retired to prepare
report, and it leaked out that by q strict
party vote resolution offered by Hunton,
declaring the Tilden electors elected, had
been negatived, and resolution by Gar
field, declaring the Hayes electors elected,
had been carried by the vote Of Bradley.
No other subject is talked OF tonight.
Morton thinks this decision settles the presi-
Dental question. He regards Louisiana
safe for the Republicans, and that the Com
mission will consistently have the power to
INQUIRE whether Governor Grover issued
certificates to electors declared elected by
the canvassing officers OF Oregon. .
The Democratic members Of the Commits
sion, and indeed all Well-informed Demo
Gratis, consider
| TlLDEN'S CAUSE VERY FAR FROM LOST
by the result of the Florida contest. The
Louisiana case presents several strong
points not heretofore laid before the Com
mission.
Matt. Carpenter and Trumbull are tho
roughly prepared, and though the former
is expected to make the greatest argument
of the controversy, principal point OF it
will be that under the statutes Of Louisiana
creating the Returning Board the power to
canvass the votes for presidential electors is
not given them, and it should therefore
have been done by the Governor and other
officers named rs canvassers undera proper
law. ,,-.... .....-. ...... ...
The leading Democrats held conference
tonight to discuss the situation and arrange
their tactics for the future. It is believed
| they have changed their views. Perhaps
thew may conclude If Louisiana is given 70
Hayes by party vote IN the Electoral Com
mission to object to the vote Of every State
that comes up afterwards, so as to prevent
decision Of the controversy before the
4th of March, and thereby force
NEW ELECTION IN DECEMBER.
The time is SO limited this is entirely
practicable, Us the houses must separate
and discuss for two hours every such case.
| Under this state Of things the president OF
the Senate would hold over, and would be
acting president until his successor is elect
| ed on the 4th of March, and that successor
would probably be Morton or Sherman.
The Commission will present brief re-
port upon Florida tomorrow to the Joint
Convention. The houses will then sepa-
rate, and lively debate may be expected
upon the decision, especially in the House.
| The discussion will be opened by formal
objections by Hurd and others, and no
doubt Hurd, at least, will say some pretty
rough things about the Commission. One
Of the commissioners says he is satisfied
Bradley is disposed to do his duty fairly,
but there is no doubt that Morton and Gar
| field have G .a@t
CRACKED THE PARTY-wHIP WITH ASTONISHING
SUCCESS; .s ~
and as to Frelinghuysen, instead OF his con-
trolling Bradley the latter has controlled
him. ....s... -. ,..lS'4,,,.l
The Supreme Court members have DAM
aged their standing as men above influence,
above party; but they will have one more
chance to retrieve their high position in
public estimation. But il they. do not, and
the presidential question is honestly, fairly,
and legally settled, that result is worth the
sacrifice Of one batch OF Supreme Court