The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
PASSAGE OF THE ELECTORAL VOTE
BILL.



| WAsHINGToN, Dec. 13.-The Chair laid be
| lore the Senate a letter from the Secretary o
War, covering communication from tn,
Chtef OF Engineers, In relation to the want o
power 20 appoint Chief of Engineers In tbt
event OF vacancy in that office, and pointing
out the legal necessity for an incumbent II
| the Office. Referred to the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs. Also recommending an ac
authorizing the appointments OF Cadet EnglisI
to be second lieutenant In the army. Referred
Also memorial from the constitutional con
vehtlon of california, protesting against any
liquors, as inimical to the California wine
growing Interest. Referred. Also the repor
OF the Joint committee on the completion o.
| the washington monument, covering Gen
| Casey's report and other documents
On motion it was agreed that when the
Senate adjourn 1t be until Monday.
Petitions, bills and resolutions were filed by
numerous Senators
message was read from the House an.
nouncing the passage Of several bills i'm which
concurrence was asked.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on Finance
asked the present consideration OF the Man
haitian Savings Institution bonds bill. It
authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury 10
hold certain bonds, which are alleged to have
been stolen from the bank, until he is satisfied
OF their proper ownership. The bill was read
third time and passed.
Mr.. Gordon introduced bill to amend the
revenue laws.
Mr.. Beck introduced bill to repeal tbe
clause OF the last civil bin providing for the
payment Of q private claim of G. T. Birketts
He wished to explain that he had introduced
n bill for the payment Of that claim by re-
quest, and that Mr. Brketts. with many
others. had been examined In great haste bV
him and came within rule which had been
laid down by the Appropriation Committee
governing the admission OF claims to The
civil bill. Mr. Blrketts claim had the
recon mmendation Of the accounting officers Of
the Treasury, which We're read by Mr. Beck
and the subcommittee thought the matter
was carefully examined and that there was
no doubt that the money should be paid. II
now appears that there was something wrong
about this claim, hence the bill which hoS
just been introduced. which he hoped would
be promptly passed. 10 Committee on Ap-
propriatiOns.
message was received from the President
covering nominations
At the expiration Of the morning hour the
electoral vote count bill was called tIp as un-
finished business, on which the Senator from
Delaware had the floor
Mr.. Bayard said nothing but the exceeding
gravity and importance Of this measure would
induce him to enter upon this discussion at
this time. He thought the present bill emf
nently. proper and the present time emnently
propitious for its adoption Our peo-
pie were. remar kable for their obedi-
ence to law and order, and the history
oi the country had been remarkable
for the peaceful quietude Of its political reyo-
lutions. The transition of power from one
to its successor had ever been
quietly and peacefully accomplished but two
years ago exigencies had arisen unusual in
the country. The tranquility Of the country
was so much disturbed and the stability Of
the government so far threatened as to excite
the gravest apprehension. This bill is dee,-
tined to prevent the possible recurrence of n
similar situation. It is entirely non-parti-
san and, believe, should receive the support
OF every Senator who can find no constitu-
tlonal objections to its provisions The
genius OF our institutions is solved In it's
peaceful and c0mpensatiDg operation Mr.
Bayard glanced at and approved each sec
l,oh OF the blli, controyerting In his course
The objections raised by the senator from
Florida. Reaching the clause which provides
for the treatment Of dual returns he said that
Turing our late unhappy experiences
we had seen much of double re-
1arla5 ,urns which which he devotedlly hoped would
,he, matter entirely with the State There
'ould really be but one honest government |
me must certainly be false and fraudulent, |
. IS In the power, as the bill makes it the |
iuty, OF the State to provide for the settle
nent OF all questions by its own tribunals |
The normal condition Of this country is peace. |
,ut during the last fifteen years the country
las not been in its normal condition. Self |
sh ambition and partisan politics may seek
o perpetuate strife and discord and inhar-
nony, bat true patriots desire reconciliation
nd peace between the sections, and peaceful
ubmlsSion to the law everywhere. 1t had |
ecently been demonstrated that Cancellation
nd affection were strong between the sec
ions, when streams of relief had flown from
ne North to the South. It was because ne
elleved this bill would contribute to perma
ent tranquility that he gave it his entire
import.
Mr.. Eaton, Of Connecticut, said he could not
ave excelled in the gravity OF this proposi- Il
on, but he did not like this mode Of curing
ne evil. II the constitution was wrong amend I
!, but don't go to tinkering the constitution
trough legislation He did not believe this
VI was constitutional He quoted from the !
institution and contended that the clause t
rovldlng for the election OF President and
ice President was self-executng and not n a
g!tfmate subject for legislation
Mr. Edmunds-Does the Senator believe I
iat IL is improper to iegiSlate to carry into '
'ecutlQn the provisions of the constitutions Q
Mr.. Eaton-l believe self-executng pre- t
Slons OF the constitution need not be aided
legislation. Joint rule Is all that is nee y
sary here n
Mr.. Edmunds-I it Is self-executing, then II
bat do you want an amendment for?
Mr.. EatOn-I did not say ! wanted mn r
nendment. / was verycareful OF nv words .
nended ~ Il
Mr: Edmnnds Then what do you want a v
~ loI, II III IS Sell-eXecutlng 81
slr Eaton Why, to tell which side Of the b
eaker's chair the Senator from Vermont Il
al sit, But this is boys play. q
Nr. Edmunds SO it is. NJ
slr. Eaton And when the Senator from re
rmont leaves, there will be one boy less To CO
gage in it. Laughter But ! do not wish
take up the time of the Senate; | only wish So
say that will oppose this bill on corlstifu- az
nal grounds, and II you pass it yotl m
! flndit Of no effect in restoring tranquility
the country or preventing recurrence II II
80 difficulties that are born of political vi
bitiOn.
lr MerrimOn advocated the bill in a speech OF
some length, in which he defined the pow Oh
.of the State and the United States.
lr. Garland, Of Arkansas, took much the bu
ne view Of this bill as had been announced pr
the Senator from Connecticut WI
lr. Jones, of Florida, reiterated his re- at
rks Of the other day tw
lr. Hill. OF Georgia, believed that we were
years ago within few votes Of anarchy no
!. he believed now that it was i'm porta1f inl
llnd some legal way out Of it, III ne be-
ed the peril that confronted US then arose tar
n detective or confusing laws he might COZ
)r this bill, but he thought it was from at
70, III .t.x.-v H.