New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-25
A BUSY DAY IN THE SENATE.
DEBATING THE SCHEME TO COUNT IN THE DEN

DEBATING lHE bCHEME TO COUNT IN The DEMO-
CRATIC PREsIDENT-THE MORGAN ELECTORAL
VOTE BILL PASSED.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNR1
WASHINGTON, May A.-The Senate is making
strong efforts to clear its calendar Of important
business. AS usual the probable approach of the
end of the session considerable confusion In
regard to the priority of rights of the various meas
ures which Senators deem important, and every day
witnesses struggle for precedence between the ad-
vOcates of different measures.
During the morning hour to-day the Carlisle
Whiskey bill and more than twenty private pension
cases were disposed Of and the remainder Of the
day devoted to the consideration Of the Morgan
resolutions governing the electoral count
The debate was dry and devoid of interesting
features owing to the fact that the subject has in
one form or another been before the public for
years. 1t was made very plain by Republican Sem
ators that the resolutions were designed to operate
in the coming election only, and the Democrats did
not deny IT.
Senator Teller opposed the measure chiefly on
account Of the facilities 1t offers to Congress for
acting as Returning Board and entering upon
the work of examining tine votes for electors.
Senator ingalls, attacked it because of Its depart
nre from the spirit of the Constitution. He sub
mitted an amendment which embodied his views
providing that in case Of contest the questions
which arise shall be decided upon in the same
way that President is elected when election is
made by the people-that is, by vote in the House
voting by States He withdrew the amendment
before 1t came to a vote.
Senator Conkling found O great many faults in
the minor provisions of the bill Chief among
them is the provision that the names Of electors
and their respective votes shall be read in the
presence of the two Houses. This, he said, was i'm
possible since there way to tell how the re-
spective electors voted in where the vote Of
State is not cast as q unit.
Senator Edmunds made strong speech covering
all the defects of the bill and placing in comparison
its chief features with those of the bill introduced
by himself earlier in the session. He introduced his
own bill as an amendment in the nature of substi-
tute 1t was rejected by a strict party vote.
The Morgan resolutions were then passed. the
p. IN. for the purpose.
Senator Bayard then moved that the Senate pro-
ceed to the consideration of Senate bill 1882.
which provides that the term of Office of Chief
Supervisors of Election shall be two years. begin
ming on the 1st day of May In each even numbered
year. and that the terms of those now In office shall
expire the 1st day of Nav, 1880, and their sue
cessorS shall be appointed from among the qualified
electors of the proper judicial district by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
The object of the bill Is undisguisedly political.
The Democrats. should it pass, will be in position
to dictate TO the President who shall and who
shall not be supervisors: 1t is simply another step
in the scheme to count In the next Democratic can
didate for the Presidency.
Pending the motion to take mp the bill Senator
EdmuTds moved to adjourn. This was voted down,
whercupon the Republicans refused to vote upon
Mr.. Bayards motion, leaving the Senate without
quorum
The Senate then adjourned at 8 .. m.