The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-02-27
THE ELECTORAL Vote.
The Ceremony of Counting 1t
! by Both EOuses of Congress.
The Final Act in the Presidential
Election Of 1883.

Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton
have been officially declared President and
e-President-elect by both branches OF
Congress in joint convention. This being
the first time that the electoral vote was
counted under the new law, it became. there
fore, an occasion of unusual Importance and
interest Two hours before the assembling
of Congress the galleries and that portion OF
the floor in rear OF seats IN the hall OF the
House of Representatives were crowded
with spectators. large proportion OF whom
were ladies. The first hour in both branches
was occupied with transaction of routine
business, to which but little attention was
paid by the members.
Beside the Speakers chair was placed one
for Senator ingalls,, who, as presiding Of
ficer OF the Senate was to preside over the
joint assembly, and in the area in front OF
the Clerks desk were placed number OF
richly upholstered chairs and lounges for the
accommodation of the Senators At noon
the Speakers gavel hushed the hum OF con-
versation and the chaplain made prayer.
After some routine business by the H' use,
and promptly at 10 o'clock, the Senate was
announced. The procession of Senators was
led by two Of the doorkeepers. Then came
venerable Captain Bassett, who has seen
fourteen electoral counts in the Capitol The
captain carried two boxes Of electoral certlt.
Gates. Behind him and closely watching the
boxes came Presiding Officer ingalls, and
General McCook, Secretary of the Senate
Two by-two the Senators marched down the
central aisle behind the presiding officer.
When they had taken their seats on the right
OF the Speakers desk. Speaker Carlisle handed
over his gavel and chair to Mr.. ingalls,, and
took the adjoining chair on the left The
tellers took their places be ow.
The Representatives remained standing
until the Senators had taken the seats as
signed them, and then Senator ingalls, called
the joint assembly to order. MIR. ingalls,
taen said:
"This being the day and the hour appoint.
ed for opening the certificates and counting
the votes of Electors for President, the Sen
ate and House Of Representatives have met
together pursuant to law"
Mr. ingalls, then said that unless there was
some objection the certificate Of the electoT al
vote of the State Of Alabama would be read.
He handed the document to the tellers, who
were sitting in front Of the desk. They were
Senators Manderson and Harris and Repre-
sentatives Baker and Ermentrout Mr. Man.
derson read the certificate, which declared
that ten electoral votes in Alabama had bean
cast for Cleveland and Thurman. The whole
document was read. 1t required fifteen min
utes.
Senator Edmunds asked unanimous con-
sent, which was granted, that the entire
reading of each certificate be dispensed with.
Representative Cox made the next Interrupt
tion by trying to read sentence from the
electoral count law requiring the presiding
officer to ask after the reading of each certiti-
cate if there was any objection. Mr. ingalls,
tried to shut him off, but without success.
The presiding officer did not follow Mr.
Cox's suggestion however.
Things now got somewhat lively, and En-
mentrout announced the vote of Florida for
Levi P. Thurman for Vice President, where.
upon dignity relaxed, and there was great
laughter This seemed to rattle the tellers
and they made several mistakes Senator
Harris announced the votes of Indiana for
Grover Cleveland and had to correct it to
BENJAMIN Harrison amid confusion and mer-
riment The spectators were enjoying things
so loudly that Mr.. ingalls, had to ask for or
der.
The count was completed in due order, and
Harrison and Morton were declared elected
President and Vice-President. The vote as
tabulated was as follows: