The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-12
The Question i'm the House.

On the House being called to order, Mr.. Keifer
offered a resolution reciting the result of the
joint convention Of the two houses and declaring
it the sense Of the House that the Constitution
and laws had been duly executed, and. that no
Iu4tthef declaration of these facts is necessary.
Mr. Springer said it seemed from the an
nouncement of the presiding officer of the joint
convention that there was no declaration of the
vote contrary to all precedent The acting
Vice -presi6ept had simply declared that it ap-
peaced frnm the count made by the tellers that
Grover Cleveland had received certain number
of votes but had disclaimed any intention to
make any official declaration of the result of
that vote He preferred that the matter should
be referred to the Judiciary committee, with in
Structions to report such a resolution may be
necessary for the purpose of making known the
result of the election.
The Speaker pro tem.-The presiding officer of
the joint convention, in making announcement
OF the vote, announced the result that had been
found, and simply added a disclaimer Of any
authority on his part, as presiding officer of the
Senate, or OF the joint convention, to make any
declaration at all.
Mr. SpringeI-I move that the whole matter
be referred to the judiciary committee
The Speaker--In the Judgment of the Chair
the declaration made by the presiding officer was
exactly what it should have been.
Mr. Springer have not asked the Speaker
for his opinion; l desire to state my own.
representing the House in the joint convention,
would have made protestif any improper declara-
ton by the presiding officer had been delivered.
Mr. Randall said the vote of the electors had
been announced, and that any ministerial pro-
eeeding was not essential to the main fact that
Grover Cleveland had been elected.
Hr Hammond thought the joints convention.
having made its declaration, the House has
nothing further TO do with it.
Mr. Springer withdrew his motion, and Mr.
ha tuf
declared who had been elected President and
Vice-president moved to lay the resolution
en- the table, which was agreed to-yeas 135,
nays lis
MIR. Clay then offered the following concurrent
resolution:
Resolved. That two members of the House of Repre.
sentatives be appointed by the House. and that one
member of the Senate be appointed by that body to
and notify him that he has been duly elected Presi
dent of the United States for the four years COM
commencing on the 4th of March, $50: and also to
notify Thomas A. Hendricks of the State of indiana
that he has been duly elected epresdent of the
United States For the four years commencing with the
4th of March, 1885.
Second-That the President of the Senate do make
out and sign a certificate in the words following
''CERTIyIoATE OF ELEcrIoN.-Beit known, that the
Senate and House of Representatives being convened
In the city of Washington, the second Wednesday
of February, in the year of Lord, 1885 the
underwrtten president of the Senate pro tempore did
In the of said Senate and House of Represen
Ativeso ali certificates and all votes of eectoi for
President and Vcepresident of the United States
then counted III the presence of the two houses
whereupon it appeared that Grover Cleveland of the
State of New York had majority of the votes of the
electors as Resident and Thomas A. Hendricks of
the State Of Indiana had majority OF the of the
electors epresdent by all which appears that
drover Cleveland of the State Of New York has been
duly elected President, and Thomas A. Hendricks of
the State OF Indiana has been duly elected Vicepresi
dent of the United States agreeable the constitution
for the term of four years, beginning March 1885
In witness whereof hare hereunto set my hand ths
n Nf Iah and h..-a
seal Of the Senate and that the committee hereby APP
pointed when notifying the persons elected of their
election to the office of President and yicepresdent
of the United States shall present to each of them
duly authenticated copy of the foregoing certificates
Mr.. Clay said this resolution was in harmony
with all presidents, except as TO the last two
presidential elections
On the suggestion of Mr.. Cox the resolution
was modified so as to make the committee con-
sist of three representatives and two senator's
Mr.. Keller said the resolution was wholly IN
necessary.
Mr. j. D. Taylor Of OHIO. moved to lay the
resolution the table. Lost--3s to 108
Dir. Holman moved To amend by striking ont
ali that part OF the resolution having reference
to certificate OF election, which was agreed to
without division.
The resolution as amended was agreed to.
The House then resumed consideration of busi
aeas under the special rule.