The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-12-16

In the House the Speaker called the house to
order at IL noon, and prayer was offered by
Rev. Harrison. The number of members an
swering the names at the call OF the roll, was
227. After the appointments of the customary
committees, the Speakers called the States for
bills and resolutions.
Thirty-one bills and resolutions were intro
duced. Mr.. Converse introduced a bill fixing
the salary of the President at $25,000 payable
monthly. Mr.: Bennett of Dakota asked for the
admission Of Dakota into the Union. Hurd, of
Ohio, introduced a joint resolution on the
tariff question.
The Presidents message was received and
read, and by the time it was half concluded,
the greater portion of the members had left
the House.
The chief feature Of the proceedings in tn.
National House was q debate upon the resolu.
ton passed by the Senate providing for a joint
rule for counting the votes of Electors for
President and Vice-President. Republicans
strenuonsly resisted the adoption of the rule
on the ground that it substantially gives to
the House of Representatives the power
of electing the PRESIDENT thing not
contemplated by the Constitution. Fill
clustering was resorted to by Republicans
to defeat the scheme, and the debate developed
considerable partisan feeling. Remarks made
by Southern members, however, are under
stood as meaning that any attempt by the
Democrats to create trouble in the Electoral
count will not receive the united support Of
the South. Gen. Keifer, of Ohio, made the
leading speech on the Republican side. At the
conclusion of his speech the matter went over
for future consideration.
Mr.. Buckner introduced a bill providing for
the issue of 5000, 0O0, 900 Treasury notes in.
stead of the bonds authorized to be issued for
the payment of the 5 and 6 per cent. bonds
maturing in 1881. The debate was continued
on the proposed new rule to regulate the count.
Mr.. Willitts was the first speaker. He argued
in opposition to the theory that the right to
| count the Electoral vote was vested in Con-
gress. Mr.. Robson said the present resolu-
ton involved the question whether the cleo
ton of President should = made by the
Electors appointed by the States, or whether
it should be practically left to the irresponsible
will of q legislative assembly. After debate,
he offered the following as a substitute: IRE
solued, That the two Houses will assemble in
on the second Wednesday in February, 1881,
at II o'clock; that the President of the Senate
shall be the presiding officer; that two persons
shall be appointed Tellers on the part of the
Senate and two on the part Of the House Of
Representatives, to make q list Of the votes as
they shall be declared; that the result shall be
declared by the President of the Senate, who
shall announce the state Of the vote and the
persons elected to the two Houses assembled as
aforesaid, which announcement, together with
a list of the votes, shall be entered on the jour
uals of the two Houses"
A tedious discussion on the fgsoIutfoD giving
Congress the control Of the Electoral coun}
was continued in the House, the principal
speeches being made by Judge Lapham, of New
York, and Congressman Newberry, Of Michi-
gan, on the Republican side, and Representa-
ives McLane and Herbert on the Democratic