The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-21

DeCemueFJ ana ms place had been filled
by another elector. The objection claims
the fact that Hanchett absented himself
from the meeting didn't Great vacancy
and therefore, that the said Orrisman
had not been duly appointed an elector
The objection also, submits that the testi.
mony Of Benton Hanchett before the
Committee on Privileges, in which he
states that he has never resigned his
office Us U. S. Commissioner and that he
absented himself for that reason from the
meeting Of the electors. p.
The objection is signed by Senators
Norwood Wallace, Barnum and. Here.
ford, and by Representatives Williams,
Tucker, Vance (Ohiol Mcmahon, Rice,
Sparks, Mash, Savage and Hurd.
The presiding officer then asked II there
were any further objections, and none be.
ing made the Senate withdrew TO let the
objection be considered and acted on by
each House separately.
The Senate having entered upon the
objection offered by Mr.. Tucker to the
counting Of the vote OF Crossman, elected
from Michigan, Mr.. Southard moved that
the House take recess till 10 o'clock
tomorrow.
Mr.. Hale raised the point that the
general scope OF the Electoral
Commission bill was intended to pre-.
vent delay, and that the motion
for a recess was not now in order.
The Speaker said as he understood the
intent and scope Of the bill the motion
for a recess was in order, and he over
ruled the point.
In the course Of the discussion over the
question OF the recess, Mr.. Wood opposed
the proposition and submitted that as it
was still early in the day, the objection
to count from Michigan should be pre-.
sented at once, discussed and acted on so
that the count should proceed.
Mr.. Tucker disclaimed any idea Of IN.
terposing an objection for the purpose OF
delay. He had nothing to do with the
motion for recess.
Mr.. SQuthard defended his motion for
a recess on the ground that the members
should have time to consider and act upon
the objection. He, for one, desired de-
lay, and was in no haste to install man
in the Presidential chair several days
before the constitutional time,
On a standing vote the motion was
voted down by large majority, and
then the yeas and nays were demanded
and taken, and again the recess was de.
leated-yeas 81, nays 1872.
Mr.. Tucker then offered resolution
declaring that Daniel l.. Crossman was
not appointed an elector by the State OF
Michigan as its Legislature directed, and
that his vote a. an elcctor shall not be
counted. lie went on to argue that Ben
ton lIanchett, having been chosen by the
people as an elector, and he being ineli.
gible on account OF holding Federal
commission, there was no provision IN
the law OF the Legislature authorizing
the College Of Electors to appoint an.
other person in his place.
Mr.. Conger said it was not the first
time a great statesman had jumped at
a conclusion without knowing The law,
and quoted from the law Of Michigan to
prove that tile failure of HanChett to ap.
pear at the meeting Of electors constitu.
ted vacancy; that it was competent for
the other electors to fill the vacancy, and
that therefore Crossman had been fairly
appointed an elector.
Mr.. Buckner replied to Mr.. Conger,
and referred to the unanimous decision
OF the Supreme Court OF Rhode Island
against the position assumed by Mr..
Conger, but that decision, he said, had
been made when there was no temptation
to pervert the law to an unholy purpose.
Mr.. Bright argued in support OF the
objection.
Mr.. Lawrence argued that from the
statutes OF Michigan this objection was
not we'll founded. The statutes were in
tended to cover every case Of vacancy
that might arise, without regard TO the
manner in which it arose.
Mr.. Hubbell, OF Michigan, asked Mr..
Lawrence whether there was any proof of
HanChetts disqualification.
Mr., Lawrence said that there was no
such proof, and there could not be, be.
cause the House was incapable OF taking
proof on the subject, and it was the
Board OF Canvassers Of Michigan.
Mr.. Foster, Of Ohio, who represents
the district in which Governor Hayes re-
sides, spoke Of the duty of both parties to
abide by the decision OF the Electoral
Commission, and said this is not the
time for mere party exultation. The
Of patriot over the nations
escape from the dangers that threatened
its peace, prosperity and happiness, is fit
ting and proper in the triumph Of peace
over disorder and possible civil war; both
parties can unite in exultation. While |
do not rejoice simply In a party sense,
do rejoice that one OF the purest
and most patriotic OF our fellow citizens
is to guide the affairs OF this government
for four years to come. Representing as
| do Sthe district in which Gov. Hayes
resides, and being a lifelong acquaint-
ance OF his, but speak the opinion Of all
persons who know him, when say his
administration will be wise, patriotic and
just. Notwithstanding whatever else may
be said to the contrary, here or elsewhere,
the people Of all sections Of the country
may confidently expect. from him not
only fair, but generous consideration.
His letter OF acceptance is the expression
Of a man Of the broadest and loftiest pa
triotism. ] feel certain thau shall be sus.
tanned by his acts, when l say his highest
will be to administer the
Government so periodically and wisely
asto wipe away every necessity or excuse
for the formation Of parties on sensa.
tional basis, and all traces OF party color
lines, that thereafter and forever we shall
hear no more ola solid South or united
North, and the flag shall float over, The
States not as provinces and over freemen
not as subjects. When Gov. Hayes ap-
pealcd to the people of the Routh in his
letter OF acceptance he addressed them as
'my countrymen"--why not his country.
men? Are not the Southern States equal
10 those otthe North or East or West, and
is not the South an integral part OF the
nation? 1t has been said sneerlngly, and
for purpose Of stirring wild passions in
the human heart to bad acts, that the
South under President Hayes must sub.
nit to an unconditional surrender to the
Republican party. No, sir; no such de.
mand will be made. All that will be ex-
pected isa patriotic cooperation Of the
South in the great work Of restoration,
through Union, the Constitution and the
apforoamapK ~ tln In,s T., IIs -.