The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-12
The Floor and Galleries Packed with a Tu-
multuOus ThrOng of the Hungry and
Thirsty Democracy.
Announcement of the Result Greeted
with Cat-Calls and the Rebel Yell.
An Interesting Debate Concerning the Pow
the Matter of Counting the Votes.
THE JOINT CONVENTION.
A Great Crowd of Democrats, Who Greet
the Result with the Rebel Yell.

UAC IA tHO ANCDCA AOAAs
Special to the indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON Feb. IA very large crowd
assembled at the Capitol to-day to witness the
count of the electoral vote. These proceedings
always attract large bodies of people. To-day
the limit was pressed beyond that of like scenes
presented since General Grant was President.
There was not the least doubt entertained as to
the result, but people seemed to think it a pro-
pitious occasion to give vent to their feelings
over the matter, as they finally did. Although
the counting of the electoral vote did not begin
until II o'clock, there was a crowdi in the Hobbies
of the galleries of the House before 10 o'clock,
waiting for the doors to be opened. AT 1015
the galleries reserved for members were opened,
and those bearing tickets rushed in. Fifteen
minutes later the public galleries were
thrown open, and in less than ten min
utes time they were completely packed.
By IL o'clock every seati in the vast galleries. ex-
cept the diplomatic and Presidents galleries of
the House, was taken. People were banked up
back of the various entrances to the galleries till
they reached across the corridors. Those who
could not get in. and there were hundreds of
them, wandered listlessly around. the only thing
they were able to see being the march of the
CVhupOiO hOoNOA w VLO VilOOAo Va VIZ oNACS
across the Capitol building to the hall of repre-
sentatives.
That portion of the galleries set apart for the
use of members families could seat but about
400 people, and tickets TO fill that space had been
issued to 800 people. Ladies holding tickets
were refused admission after IL o'clock,
as all the seats had been taken.
AT that hour the House was called to order. and
on the motion of Mr.. Mcmillan, of Tennessee,
the House, by a vote of 1874 yeas, to u nays,
opened the floor of the House to those holding
tickets of admission issued to members. Then
there was an invasion of the hall by fair
women and small children. When the ladies
first entered they took seats back of those occu-
pied by the members, but gradually they began
to work down toward the Speaker and the sena-
tors, who were seated around the semi-circle
fronting the presiding officer of the House.
Members began yielding up their seats to the
fair sex, until, when the noon hour arrived, the
novel scene was presented of ladies informing
ling with the statesmen in all parts of the house.
1t looked like the interior Of a canopy at a camp
meeting.
Precisely at IL O'clock the Senate entered the
House, headed by It's officers. Captain Bassett
anu announcer CeudL0 Object GdCu UOrt d mduUSduy
box. These boxes contained the electoral re-
turns. The boxes, in the march from the Sen
ate, were accompanied by policemen in uni
forms. Vice rpresident pro tenn. Edmunds, wear
ing his black-skull cap, assembled to the Speak
er's desk as, the senators had seated themselves.
Speaker pro tenn. Blackburn stood at Mr.. Ed
munds's left. Mr.. Edmunds raped the joint
session to order without taking off his cap. and
directed the tellers to take their places. Sena-
tors Hoar and Pendetou, and Representatives
Clay and Keifer took the seats of the clerks
just below the Speakers chair, and
then the counting began, Mr.. Edmunds
opening the seals Of the envelopes con-
tanning the certificates and handing the copy
forwarded by mail to a teller representing one
party, and the copy of the returns forwarded by
messenger to a teller representing the other po-
litical party. AS one copy was read the other
copy was followed and was compared.
ExPEDITING THE READING.
When the Alabama certificate had been read,
Senator Sherman moved that only the substance
of the certificates be read, so that the proceed
ings might be expedited, and this was agreed to.
But little attention was paid to tho reading;
there was a great deal of talking, and a good
SOCldI IILle was udu ny meIuUerS, ScudJOrS anu
their ladies. When the Georgia certificate was
read by Mr.. Keifer, he announced the
vote for Cleveland and Hendricks
and stopped; there were a number
and of inquiries of ''for what object" Mr.. Keifer
had to make good the deficiency in his announce
ment amid the only thing that. smacked of
hilarity during the whole proceedings, except
when Mr.. Pendleton spoke of John A. Logan,
of Indiana" when everybody laughed, and at
least twenty people corrected him by saying ''of
Illinois" ''of Illinois"
When Mr.. Keifer read out what Maryland had
done. he announced that the State had cast six
electoral votes.
Elbow many7r asked Senator Groome.
six" was the reply.
"How manyY' was the repeated question.
Eight" was the amended reply. Mr.. Groome
nodded in assent, and was satisfied.
Mr.. Clay read the result of New York. and
when he announced that that State had cast thirty
eight electoral votes for Cleveland and Hendricks
the Democrats broke out into applause. MI.
Edmunds raped with his gravel and called for
order. When the signature of Grover Cleve-
land to the certificate was read 10y Mr.. Clay there
was another outburst, but the Chair said: s'The
sergeant alarms will take into custody any gen.
tleman or other person disturbing these pro-
ceedings by applause or otherwise"
When NJ. Edmunds got through opening the
certificates the Speakers desk was covered with
pieces of red tape which he mad cut and pieces
of sealing wax which ne had broken. While tho
tellers were computing it was evident that Mr..
Clay had made a mistake in putting down
his figures. 1t took a good while for
him to find out exactly where
he had slipped up, but, with the assistance of
Senator Hoar, he finally got it straight. Sena-
tor Pendleton was the first teller who got
through. When the computation had been
! made. each tallY-sheat was SIGNED hv all tho tell.