The daily gazette., 1877-02-08
SECOND EDITION
First Judgment. a.s <.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
DECIDES NOT TO GO Be
HIND THE FLORIDA .
CERTIFICATES.
WASHINGTON. February I,


The anxiety as to the decision of The
preliminary points in the Florida case
was manifested this morning in the de-
serted seats in either branch of Congress
while the members gathered in groups
in the cloak rooms and rotunda discuss
ing the probabilities and catching at every
whisper from the Supreme Court Cham
Der, where the tribunal was in session.
It was not until 4 O'Clock that this anx-
iety was relieved by the adjournment of
the commission, after removal of the
injunction of secrecy which had been
placed upon the members. Then anx-
iety rose to the pitch of excitement as
various conflicting lrumors flew through
the Capitol. Republican versions of the
decisions gained currency earliest, and
the Democrats were led to believe that
their whole case had gone by the board
on the first issue. 1t was given out that
the commission would accept a Cover
nor's certificate as decisive, and that in
no event would any inquiry be made as
to the facts upon which such certificate
rests. Later and more correct reports
were about as encouraging to one side
as TO the other, and all was then sea of
speculation. ..,.i....-.
WHAT THE ACTION MEANS. .n-
Itseems that the action of the commits
sion was virtually what has been fore
shadowed in these dispatches. The first
resolution voted upon was offered by
Senator Edmunds. This could not have
received majority vote, and it was there
| fore modified by Justice Miller TO meet
the views of Justice Bradley and then Of
fered in the following form: t....,'.'..
Ordered, that no evidence will be received
by the commission which was not Submit
ted to the joint convention of the two hous-
es by the President of 1.-THE Senate with the
| to the eligibility OF F. G. Humphreys, one
1 of the electors. t.i" .'-NliN4t't Hf
| The clause inserted to gain the vote of
Justice Bradley was that providing for
taking Testimony as to the eligibility Of
electors. With this amendment the reso-
luton was adopted, the vote being:
| Yeas-Justices Bradley, Miller and
Strong; Senators Edmunds. Frelinghuysen
and Morton; Representatives Garfield and
| Nays-Justices Clifford and Field; Sena-
tors Bayard and Thurman; Representative
4 Abbott, Hunton and Payne-7.
This is called a division on the party
line, and was hailed by Morton and Gar
field as an evidence that it is to be par
ty fight, from first to last.
JUSTICE BRADLEY VOTES WITH THE
| ...t-- DEMOCRATS.
Immediately, however, Representative
Abbott offered the following:
Order, That in the case of Florida thi:
commission will receive the evidence re
lating to the eligibility Of F. C. Hum
phreys, one Of the persons named in Ger
ltificate No. l, as an elector.
| As indicated by his opposition to th,
original resolution of Mr.. Edmunds, Jus
tice Bradley took the Democratic view O
this question, and the resolution was
adopted, as follows: a Il
| Yeas-Justices Bradley, Clifford and
Field, Senators Bayard and Thurman
and Representatives Abbott, Hunton ant
Payne-S.
| Nays-Justices Miller and Strong
Senators Frelinghuysen, Edmunds ant
Morton, and Representative Garfield and
Hoar-7. a.n- y.
| This done, without further action other
than the removal of tho injunction o.
secrecy, the commission adjourned unit
IL o'clock tomorrow morning, with the
understanding that the argument in the
Florida case on the papers presented be
fore the joint convention will then begiI
in open session. ~