The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-01-29
COUNTING I'm GRANT.


The Speaker Of the House of Representa-
tives Relates a Remarkable Episode.
THon, SCHUYLER Colfax, in Philadelphia Iimes.J
The most exciting Congressional
scene T ever witnessed, since the
stormy outbursts that preceded the
Rebellion, was at the counting of the
electoral votes, by Acting Vice Presi-
dent Wade, in February, 1869, when
Gen, Grant was first elected to the
Preside Icy.
Senator Conklng and Representative
Wilson. Of Iowa, and Pruyn, the tellers
of the two houses, alternately read
the certificates as they were opened
by M. Wade and handed to them.
When the teller read the Georgia
certificate Gen. Butler, of Massachusetts,
objected to it's vote being counted on
four different grounds: First, because
the electors did not vote on the legal
day; secondly, because Georgia had
not been admitted to representation as
State in Congress since the rebellion
of her people or become entitled there
to-" thirdly, because Georgia had not
fulfilled the requirements of the, Recon
struction acts, and fourthly, because the
election was not Stree, just, equal and
fair" and that " the people were de-
prived of their just rights therein by
force and fraud" Senator Edmunds
made a point of order on this objec-
ton, "bhe two houses having by special
rule Of this case made substantial
change in the standing joint rule" But
the President of the Senate ruled that
objection being made, the Senate will
retire to their chamber to deliberate
udder the rules"
The Senate decided by 80 to II that,
under the concurrent resolution, Gen.
Butler objections "are not in order;"
but in the House, on the question,
Shall the vote of Georgia be counted
Notwithstanding the objection OF the
gentleman from Massachusetts, the
vote stood-ayes, Al; noes, $50, thus
making disagreement between the
two houses.
When the Senate returned to the
Representative Hall at half-past 4
o'clock, Mr.. Wade, having resumed the
chair, said: "The objections of the
gentleman from Massachusetts, are over
ruled by the Senate, and the result OF
the vote will be stated as it would stand
were the vote of the State of Georgia
counted, and as it would stand if the
vote of that State were not counted, I'M
der the concurrent resolution of the two
houses" -s
And then a tumultuous excitement
ensued, increasing till it's close, of which
the following official report from the
Globe will give the reader only faint
idea, but which is inserted here because
official:
Mr.. Butler-I dsire t. state that the House
sustained the objection of the gentleman from
Massachusetts [ now submit the following
resolution. do not understand that we are to
be overruled by the Senate in that way.
Mr.. Wood rise to question of order.
The President - The Chair declines to re-
ceive the resolution. The tellers will make out
the statement of the vote as directed.
Mr.. Butler-I appeal from the decision of
the Chair to the convention. Let us see
whether we have any rights in the House or
not Does the Chair entertain my resolution
The PRESIDENT do not. @ 3 #
Mr. Butler-Does the Chair entertain the ap-
peal?
The President-No sir; he does not enter
tain the appeal
Mr.. Builer-Does the Chair hold as g. mat
ter of order that the Senate can rule this
House?
Many Members--Orderl Order.
Mr.. Butler-The question is whether the
Senate can overrule ali order Or resolution of
this House. [ know ! speak the sentiment Of
this House. Do not? t
MonU ,bnra-Vaat Ynsf
Mr.. Butler-Now, then, shall we have this
unseemly scene
Calls to order
MIR. president-No debate is admissible.
Mr.. Butler-l am not debating, and neither
calls to order nor arbitrary proceedings can
override the privileges of the House.
The President-Itthe gentleman is not de-
batting he will resume his seat.
Mr.. Butler-I appeal from the decision of
the Chair
The President-The Chair will not entertain
the appeal.
Mr.. Butler I appeal from that decision.
The President-No Nothing is in order but the
statement of the vote
Mr.. Wood-Have we Sergeant at-Arms at
tached to this body?
Mr. Shanks-Wlll it be in order to ask for
the reading of the rule governing this body?
The Presdent-It would not be in order.
Mr. Ingersoll Qll)-I object to any further
proceeding Oh tHG paIt VI tIiS uOuY uutll Lila
appeal is entertained and action is had upon it
by this body loud shouts of "Order" and
great confusion.l
"A minor poiut of order is omitted, as well as
some repetidons, and also the reporters paren-
theses OF daughter" it being the lau ghter Ct
anger and not of good humor.l
Ma Farnsworth-I make the point Of order
that an appeal cannot be taken from the decis-
ion of the President of this body [Renewed
houts of "Order!"]
The President-Tbere is no appeal enter
tanned The gentleman from Massachusetts
will resume his seat.
Mr. Butler (anid great uproar)-I am in or
der. I desire the reading of the joint rule up
on,the subject of counting the votes, which ex-
presslv states that q vote cannot be counted
unless both houses concur. | do not know Of
any power which the President has to override
the rules. Loud cries of 90 der! u
The President-The tellers will perform
their duty under the concurrent resolution.
Mr. Ingersoll-I object.
The President-The Chair understands that
Mr. Ingersoll--Now the Senate Can retire
and consider that objection.
The Pfesident-Or Order.
MI Eldridge-Would it be in order TO have
peace?
Il rai {oxN