Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-02-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Two Houses Meet in Joint Assembly
to Count the Electoral Vote.
Harrison and Morton Declared Elected Presi-
dent and Vice PresIdent : The
Bloody Shirt Waved.
FiftietII Congress.
THE SENATE

WASHINGTON, Feb. ia resolution
reported from the committee on
privileges and elections, instructing the
committee to revise existing law regula-
ting the election of members of congress
was taken up and Mr.. Eyarts spoke in
ITS support. He reviewed the history of
the political troubles in washington
county, Texas, and read a petition to
congress. from several Republicans of that
district. After reading it Mr. Evarts
said the grievances which petitioners had
reported had no other cause than the
activity Of the petitioners in that can
vass, in support of the ticket and Of the
principles of the Republican party. No
greater encroachment on the dearest
rights of common civilization could
ever have been perpetrated than
that practlced on them. The committee
had found that the citizens could not be
accused Of any misconduct such as should
place them outside of ordinary relations
that belong to peaceful and quiet citi-
Zens. In the testimony taken by the
committee there had been no aspersion of
the character of the sufferers except such
as belonged TO the eXcitements of the
canvass. As to alleged incendiary
speeches at Republican meetings during
the canvass Of 1886, he stated that
an exploration of that subject
by the committee had demon
started such accusations to be vague and
mere hearsay, and that there was no
substantial reasonable support for such
accusations. He read from the report Of
the committee the concluding paragraphs
and said il had seemed to him that there
could have been no more propitiOus time
for the investigation than when it was be-
gun in March, 1888. During its cOntin-
nance, however, two other citizens of the
county, Joseph Hoffman aDd Mr.. Holt,
had been shot down in the execution of
what he regarded as a systematic purpose
TO maintain at whatever cost the supreln-
acy of the Democratic party in that
county. The great question came at last
to be whether there was to be tolerated in
this country an authority and persistent
power that was TO set aside the govern
ment Of the constitution and of laws. If
there should prove TO be an iTrecon-
cilable conflict between public opin-
ion in Texas or New York,
and public opinion in the country
at large, his opinion was that the opinion
of the whole country must prevail
finally.
Mr.. Coke obtained the floor and after
an executive session the senate adj
journed.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. - The chamber
of the house presented a lively scene this
morning, although nothing of a sensa-
tional character was expected The gal
leries were filed an hour before noon by
a crowd who were eager to witness the
ceremonies attending the counting of the
electoral votes. Ladies were in a large
majority, and their handsome costumes
formed pretty frame TO the kaleidO-
scopic picture presented on the floor be-
low. The corridors in the rear of the gal
Ieries were thronged with sight
seers, who were contented il by
rising on their tip toes they could glance
over the shoulders of more fortunate per-
sons who had secured foothold in the
doorways. Many ladies were upon the
floor pleading with members for passes
10 the already overlooking galleries.
Beside the speakers chair was placed one
for Mr.. Ingalls,, who was to preside over
the joint assembly, and III the area in
front Of the clerk 5 desk, were placed a
number of richly upholstered chairs and
lounges for the accommodation of sena-
tors At noon the speakers gavel
chaplain made an appropriate prayer.
Mr. Oates, from the committee on
judiciary, reported a bill to amend the
naturalization laws. Ordered printed
and recommitted.
Mr.. O'Neill of Missouri objected TO
Mr.. Oates request that the committee
have leave TO report il back at any time.
Mr.. Peel of Arkansas, from the COM
mittee on Indian affairs, reported the
Indian appropriation bill. Referred to
the committee of the whole.
At 1880 legislative proceedings were
suspended, and a few moments after
wards the senate was announced, and the
senators, headed by the officers, filed
into the chamber. Mr.. Ingalls, leaned
on the arm Of Secretary McCook and
Capt. Bassett carried the box containing
the returns from the electoral college.
The representatives remained standing
until the senators had taken the seats
assigned them, and then Mr.. ingalls,
seated on the right hand of the speaker,
called the joint assembly TO order
Mr.. ingalls, then said: ''This being the
hour appointed for opening the certin-
Gates and counting the votes of the
electors for president, the senate and
house Of representatives have met
together pursuant TO the constitution and
laws of the United States. If there be
no objection TO the electoral vote of the
state OF Alabama by the senate it will be
read by the tellers, who will make a. list
OF votes thereof. -
The presiding officer then broke the
seal Of the certificate of Alabama and
handed il to Senator Henderson, one of
the telleTs, who read the document in a
clear voice. 1t was in due form and
showed that the ten electoral votes of
Alabama had been cast for Cleveland and
Thurman. The certificate gave in minute
detail the proceedings of the meeting
of the elections in Montgomery and con-
tanned the ballots cast by each elector
for president and president. 1t
was accompanied by a statement from
the governor of Alabama certifying to
the election of the electors therein
named. It's reading consumed several
minutes.
The reading having been concluded,
the presiding officer said: Following
presidents observed on former occasions,
unless in any case there may be a demand
that the certificate be reported in full,