The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-01-26


cafes. This bill conferred upon the tri-
bunal it created, the power to legislste
unless its action should be overturned by
the action OF the two Houses. This COM
mission could not carry out the bill with
out gong behind the returns from the
State. 1t WAS Spanked all over with
very white, pretty meal, but Demo-
cratic cat was reposing beneath it. He
argued that the bill was unconstitutional
after the case had been made up.
Mr.. Blaine said he had, he trusted, as
great an appreciation as any Senator on
this floor OF the gravity OF the situation.
He had supported the Senator from Yer
mont in his constitutional amendment to
leave this whole question to The Supreme
Court, but that proposition did not COM
mend itself 10 the favor OF the Senate,
and it was defeated by large vote. 80
for as he was personally concerned, ne
was not welded to any Particular theory
as 10 counting the vote. he desired to
adhere TO the Constitution. DE Was op-
posed to giving the power to count the
votes to fourteen gentlemen, tour OF
whom were TO complete the number by
selecting the fifteenth, and thus by lot or
chance filling that coy and bashtul blank
rs Bunyon would have termed 1t, upon
which the attention of the country Is so
generally fixed. 1t was proposed to give
these fifteen, or possibly The hfieen.n
gentleman alone, more power over the
electoral vote taan Congress possessed,
and he did not believe this could be
done by simply an enactment, Nothing
lass than a constitutional amendment
could confer on fifteen men such tre-
mendous power over the electoral votes.
He had desired earnestly to support he
bill il he could do so consistently. The
arguments adduced in its favor had p r.
suaded him OF its unconstitutioua.ity
and he felt he was compelled, however
reluctantly he Differed from certain
Senators, to record his vote against the
measure. He begged the Judiciary
Committee now that the public mind was
SO strongly directed TO the questlo 10
frame an amendment which would, il
possible, avert in the future all danger of
a renewal OF these troubles which were
now causing SO much anxiety in the pub
lie mind.
Mr.. Howe denied that this bill was
framed in the interests OF the Demo
cratic party. He had not been conspicu
Gus in the service of tina: party and did
not propose to embark III its service now,
but after all he had heard he WAS not
able to see that this bill of itself promoted
the interests OF the Democratic
party. Nothing could be done
under the bill to promote
the election OF the Democratic csndi-
date Tor President, unless under the ex-
ecution OF the law the opinion OF five
picked men of the Senate, five picked
men of the House, and five picked
Judges of the Supreme Court could be
secured to that end. The Senator from
Indiana Morton had argued that no
Legislation was needed, that the Repub-
licsns had sure thing, and that it was
best not TO give away part of it. lie
THowe1 thought that if the result OF the
late Presidential contest was not
let in doubt, it WAS lett in dispute, and
somebody must decide that dispute. He
thought tho bill reported by the select
committee and now before the Senate
was the proudest instrument IN our
country-the proudest tribute to Amerl-
can craftsmanship which had been pre-
pared since the convention which framed
the Constitution adjourned. He would
have been glad if this bill had received
the unanimous approval of the committee.
He would have felt, like one greater than
himself ielt, when looking upon the in-
fant Savior. He would nave felt that
he had seen the salvation OF his people
and of his country.
Mr.. Eaton said ths: he was almost
alone on the Democratic side OF the
chamber in opposition 10 this bill. he
deeply regretted that the Legislature OF
his State, on Saturday last, had
requested him to vote for the bill.
but thev were wise enough 70 get to-
gether asd reconsider thst vote. IL was
not pleasant to be in the minority, but
he had learned TO stand en- his own
convictions. He had faith in the com
mittee which framed this bill and re-
gre,ted that he could not vote for il. He
denied that the power 10 count the
electoral vote Was vested in the President
of the Senate. but that i. was lodged IN the
two houses OF Congress.
Mr. Edmunds SAID that the time had
gone by now for debate, and that the
measure had been denounced as sham
and mere trick, although Il appealed to
i've Senators, i've members OF the House.
and FIVE justices OF the Supreme
Court.
The amendment of Mr. Edmunds 20
that Of Mr.. Morton was rejected. Yeas
/; NAYS, 81; Mr.. Cooper being the ONLY
Senator who voted in the affirmative.
The question then being on ibeamend-
men, oil Mr Morton, it Vas rejected BY
Is yeas TO A. nays.
The vote rejecting Mr.. Morton
amendment Was as follows:
Yess-Messrs. Boutwell,, Bruce, Cam
ercn OF Pennsylvania, Cameron of Wis
consin, Clayton, Dawes, Dorsey, Hsmi!'
TOT. Ham il, Ingalls,, Mitchell, morton,
Paddock. Patterson, Sargent, Shermza,
Telle. and West-ls.
Nsys-Messrs. Aicorp, Allison, fas
mum, B.yard, Blaine, Bocy, Booth, Barn
side. Chafer, Christlsncy, Cockerell
Con king, Conover, Cooper, Crogln
Davis Dennis. Eaton, Edmunds, Freling'
huysen, Goth waite, Gordon, Hove
Johnston, Jones, Of Florits. Jones, o
Nevsds. Kelly, Herman, NcCreery, Nc
Donald. Morril. Price, Rsnco!Ph, Ran
som, Robertson, Salisbury, Sharon
| Stevenson. Thurman, Wallace, Whyte
| Windum, Wirhers and Wright,
Mr.. Sargent submitted Al smendnen
nroyiding tha, the commission shall 81
With open doors, except when upon con