Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-09
CONGREss-sECOND
SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, December s.
A joint resolution was introduced propos'
ing constitutional amendment giving Con
gress authority II establish rules and regula
tons for certifying, transmitting. receiving
and opening votes of electors, for counting
such votes by the two houses, for declaring
| the result of the election and for government
| of the body while convened. such laws not TO
be enacted, altered. amended or repealed
| within one year before the time fixed for APP
pointment of electors in any State. Referred
TO select Committee on Election of President
and Vice President
| A bill was introduced to punish violation
of certain proposed regulations concerning
election of members of Congress. Also bill
to enable Dakota TO form State government
| and be admitted to the Union.
| Private bills were considered during the
morning hour.
At O'Clock the Senate went into execu-
tive session, after which
Adjourned.
HoUsE.
Newton NJ. Clements of the sixth district
of Alabama was sworn in.
Amendments to the bill authorizing dispo-
sition of part Of Fort Dodge military reser-
walton, were concurred in.
Mr.. Wood stated that he would not call up
his funding bill until the discussion on the
electoral count resolution was finished.
Mr.. Cook of n. Y. introduced joint res
olution authorizing placing L. 5. Grant on
the retired list Of the army, with rank and
pay of general. Referred.
substitute by Mr.. Buckner 10 the fund
ing bill. was referred to the Ways aud
Means committee.
The House resumed consideration of the
electoral count resolution.
An interesting debate ensued, during which
MIR. Robson, rep. made a speech of two
hours duration agains: the proposed measure.
He declared that the Vice President, neither
by reason of any official or constitutional
authority, had the right to pronounce
judicially on the question of validity or in
validity of any vote, and that the two houses
of Congress, in convention assembled. had
no right to decide at all either judicially OF
otherwise.
Mr.. Hunton, dem, supposed case of
certificate known to be forged being pre-
scented, saving the point he wished to make
was whether the power to count did not carry
with it power to determine what was to be
counted.
Mr.. keifer, rep, called attention to the
fact that the proposed joint rule was merely
intended to give Congress the right to reject
properly certified votes and not 10 decide rs
to whether certificates were genuine.
Mr.. Robson, in reply to Mr.. Hunton,
denied that Congress had the power to count
the votes. That power resided in either the
Vice President or in the two houses. 1t re-
sided in the Vice President. He did not say
that the Vice President had that power but
if certificates were in compliance with au-
thentication prescribed by law then it was a
duty of the Vice President to open them.
Mr.. McLane dem. contended that as the
Constitution authorized tie two houses TO
participate in counting the electoral vote,
and as such counting included exercise of
judicial power, therefore the two houses did
possess Judicial power.
Mr.. Robson gave notice that he would
present substitute for the concurrent reso-
luton, providing for declaration of the
electoral vote by the Vice President in the
presence of both houses, on the second
Wednesday in February.
A bill was passed without amendment re-
moving the political disabilities of j. NJ.
IIeskcll of Maryland.
Mr.. Conger understood the bill had another
object than removal Of disabilities. and asked
that it be retained on the Speakers desk. 1t
was so ordered.
Adjourned