The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-22

stated that he had never believed in the consti-
nationality of the Electoral Commission plan,
and then went on to say that he knew no better
way ont Of the present trouble than to bring
both houses Of Congress into joint ntion,
and there poll each house separately and decide
the result In ordinary circumstances he would
not deem that course as IN keeping with the
formation of the two bodies; but when all RENE
dies were considered, this one seemed to him to
he the wisest solution Of the difficulty. 1t was
scarcely possible that body Of 400 men, as the
Senate aud House taken together would be,
should be equally divided. AS one senator after
full study of the question. Mr. Sherman was
willing TO adopt the principle OF the act OF 1866,
and surrender the superiority of the Senate in
legislation, and go In on even terms with mem
bers of the House, in order to settle questions in
dispute that afforded no other means of adjust
ment. The vote would then be counted.
DIR. Sherman then offered an amendment
striking from the bill the clause Allowing either
house to exclude vote. and providing that in
case of disagreement between the two houses
the question in dispute should be su omitted to a
join convention of both houses, which joint con-
vention should Immediately vote upon the ques-
ton or questions upon which there has been
such disagreement, and the decision CT the ma
jority OF the members of the joint convention
shall be deemed final and conclusive, and the
vote shall be counted accordingly, and be an
nounced by the President of the Senate; that
while the two houses shall be in meeting
provided in this act, the President of the Senate
shall have power to preserve order, and no de-
bate shall be allowed. and no question shall be
put by the presiding officer except to either
house on motion to Withdraw, and upon ques
lions on which the two houses have disagreed
as aforesaid
Mr.. Edmunds said that the proposition of Mr..
Sherman was that, in case the Senate and House
of Representatives disagreed in their constitu-
tional and autonomic capacity as the government
of the United States there Should be consol-
dated count of heads OF the seventy-six senator's
and 1926 representatives, and that the majority of
all, per capita, should determine the result. IF
/ were mousse said Mr. Edmunds. land had
got to be eaten up by the cat at last, I should
just as soon be swallowed to-day as to be under
going dissection in her claws for three or four
days before was swallowed. That is exactly
this case. The Senate of the United States
might just as well propose to the House of Rep
resentatives bill which declares that in case of
disagreement between the two houses in respect
of the Identification of vote, that then and
there the Judgment of the House of Representa-
tives should prevail, and be done with it, My
honorable friend from Ohio MIR. Sherman would
provide that in case of an Identification of an
electoral vote which was difficult or doubtful,
If the two houses in their constitutional
capacity, named in the Constitution
as the two houses and not as the
members of the two houses disagree, that the
representatives of the States shall be dissolved
IN the representatives of the people, and that
per capita voice shall determine the result. 1
cannot see that there is safety ir that. cannot
see that there is constitutional right in that,
for. whether the State be great or small. wheth-
er it be Ohio or Delaware, the necessity to the
people Of either, each, or botn Of these
States, is just great that their statehood,
their independence in this act, as in every other
act prescribed in the Constitution, must be pre-
served intact and exclusive in ITSELF"
Mr.. Sherman, in reply to Mr. Edrnunds, said
that the only point made was that the Senate
surrendered something of power. Mr.. Sherman
denied that. he also denied that his suggestion
was an abandonment of States rights
Mr. Edmunds replied Mt some length, and con-
cluded by saying that he could see neither wis
dom nor the constitutional propriety of Mr..
Sherman's proposition.
Mr. Evarts was disposed to regard the amend
ment proposed by Mr.. Sherman with favor. as
Offering an opportunity to the Senate to over
come the majority of the House by the vote of
the united body.
the Senate adjourned until Monday.