Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-02-16
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
Wy III 1oH

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence Of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 1877.
PRELIMINARY DECISION IN THE FLOR
IDA CASE.
President making is still the all
absorbing topic of conversation in
Washington. The whole population
awaited with intense anxiety the an
nouncem.nt of the decision of the
tribunal upon the question whether
1t could 60 back of the returns, and
enter into an examination of the
manner in which the election was
concluded in the state of Florida, or
not. The decision, to rest upon the
certificates, and to take further testi-
mony, was the cause of much rejoic-
ing among Republicans, and while
the Democrats still hope that their
case is not lost, very considerable
depression and anxiety has been
manifested among the members of
that party during the past few days.
The selection Of Judge Bradley as
the fifteenth member of the COM
mission, was, at the time, regarded
with considerable favor by both par
ties, although the Democrats had
hoped and expected to secure Judge
Davis, but they are not SO well salts
fed at present, although Judge Brad
ley voted with them to take stimo-
ny relative to the eligibility of elect.
or Humphreys.
THE HUMPHREYS CASE.
Elector Humphreys was shipping
commissioner in Florida, but ten
dered his resignation September last,
and it was accepted by Judge Wood
early in October, and the Collector
of the port of Pensacola directed to
perform the duties of the Office
The Democrats claim that the ap-
pointment was an act of the United
States District Court of Florida, and
that the Judge could not accept the
resignation when the Court was not
in session. The Republicans claim
that the Judge is the Court out of
term time, and that he was authoriz-
ed to sccept this resignation, as we'll
as to issue injunctions, attachments
and to perform many other functions
Of a court. The argument of counsel
was completed yesterday. and de-
cision will probably be given to-day,
when final decision of the question,
"Who shall be next President?" will
be more easily prognosticated than
at present.
THE BATTLE OF THE LAWYERS.
Both political parties have put for
ward their most able advocates, and
the walls of the Supreme Court room,
have seldom, if ever, resounded to
such able arguments rs have been
made by O'Conner, Evarts, Black,
Mathews, Merrick, Stoughton and
the other able counsel in this case
LAYERS seldom have as many incen-
tives to put forth their greatest pow
err as conduce to bring them out in
the present case. First, their own
political leanings, prejudices and
passions are fully aroused, and next,
they are aware that the present is a
grand historical case, which will be
read and quoted SO long as the gov
ernmen. Of the United States shall
lat. This is regarded by these great
men as the opportunity of their lives
to connect their fame with the histo-
ry of their country. If the COM
mission shall fail to find just ver-
dict, it certainly will not be for want
Of any information which human
wisdom could bestow.
THE PEOPLE ON THE ANXIOUS SEAT.
The Supreme Court room will ac-
commodate only about one hundred
and fifty spectators, and Of course,
thousands who desire 70 look at the
great safety valve Of the nation in
session, and to hear the arguments
of the greatest of living lawyers up
on the most intensely interesting
case in the history ofthe country, are
daily doomed to disappointment
The members of the commission are
perfectly overwhelmed with applica-
tons for tickets of admission, and
all the approaches to the court room
are crowded with persons eagerly
waiting for some opportunity to
force themselves into the courtroom.
Failing to gain admission, the peo-
pie eagerly await news from inside
and every prominent man who emerg-
es. is beseiged on all sides for infor-
nation.
EFFECT UPON LEGISLATION.
The compromise bill provided that
the two houses should meet in joint
Convention on the first day Of Feb
ruary to count the votes, and that
they should take recess from day to
day, until the count was completed.
The effect of this has been to suspend
legislation almost entirely, for near
ly everything has to be done by
unanimous consent, end single OBJ
lection can defeat most important
measures. The flags which denote
that the two Houses are in session,
are kept flying day and night, and
even all day Sunday, and the Journal
shows that Congress is still in the
session as of Thursday the first of
February. Joshua is outdone, for he
commanded the sun to stand still for
only an hour or two, while Congress
has crowded ten days into one, with
fair prospect that many more will be
condensed in like manner.
THE EXTRA SESSION.
A bill is pending to convene Con-
gress IN extra session on the fourth
of March, and unless more rapid
progress is made in Legislation than
has characterized the session thus
far, this step will be absolutely nec-
essary, for not one of the appropria-
ton bills has as yet passed, and
many other matters which require