Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Late In the AFTERNOON OF frludy,
February 1s, 1877, The Star in an
Hayes Election noun H '' that the
rlSs electoral commits
CoTeSnhuo"eu' sion had by the
usual vote Of 8 to z decided not to go
behind the returns" in the Louisiana
electoral vote case. This decision was
accepted as practically settling the
contest over the presidency. In It's
issue of the next day, February II,
1877, The Star tells the story of how
this action of the commission was
accepted:
1.-THE news spread like wildfire and
by early gaslight the hotels and other
public places were filled with heated
partisans, some exulting and others
denouncing the result. Although the
Democrats were apprehensive that
the case would be decided against
their candidate, they were hardly
prepared for the wholesale extent OF
the verdict which excluded evidence.
It threw the whole army into utter
generalization and while every MEM
Der had suggestions to offer to prevent
the Inauguration of Hayes, no plan
to reach that contamination had been
decided upon at midnight. Some OF
the defeated ones sought solace at
Col Pelton's headquarters. 1t was
like misery seeking company. 1t
would have taken dollhouse OF
blue grass to have revived the droop-
ing spirits of those grouping there.
To-day at 10 o'clock nearly every
Democrat was in his seat. The word
was given last night to be promptly
on hand. They came like flock OF
sheep and looked in vain for leader
Groups gathered in the cloakrooms..
Exciting episodes were the order or
the hour. The absorbing topic OF the
moment was how to undo what two
weeks ago they were only too anxious
to bring about.
1.-THE Republicans were Joyous;
They feel that victory is near and
that Hayes will assuredly be the next
President. unless the Democrats pre-
vent it by filibustering.
"It is not known to what extent the
Democrats will interpose dilatory mo-
tons to delay the count until after
the Fourth of March. The western
Democrats are eager to pursue such
course, but are restrained by their
Eastern colleagues, and they fear that
the Southern members will not unite
with them In any filibuster proceed
ings. 1t has leaked out that before
the State to Hayes was taken In the
tribunal, Representative Payne. one
of the Democratic commissioners. re-
preached Justice Bradley. He charged
him with being governed by partisan
feelings and not acting in accordance
with the law and facts.
1.-THE Democrats will hold a caucus
some time today to shape a future
policy. There will be some lively
music when the doors close In upon
them.
Party spirit now runs high and the
lines are sharply drawn. The feeling
on the part of the Democrats Is hour
ly becoming more bitter. A very strik
ing exhibition of 1t was illustrated by
the refusal of Speaker Randall this
morning to recognize Secretary Cor
ham of the Senate, who had come TO
announce the action OF the Senate on
the tribunals decision. For one hour
Gorham was kept in the aisle and,
though points of order were raised
to direct Speaker Randalrs attention
to his presence, he sharply raped
down those making them and over.
ruled every point made. instead or
the action of the Senate
the Sneaker laid before the House the
official notification sent him by JUS
tice Clifford, and then Lamar offered
a resolution that the House would
receive the Senate on Monday at IL
o'clock, which was adopted.
1.-THE Democratic plan. so far as yet
agreed upon, is to receive the Senate
and let the joint convention proceed
on Monday. When the Louisiana de-
cision Is officially announced the
House will object to receiving 1t and
the two houses will then divide. A
recess will then be taken until Tues
day. What will be done after that
the caucus will develop.
1.-THE impression Is that while the
Democrats will make all the delays
they can legitimately. they will not
indulge in out-and-out filibustering,
and that unless Hayes is tripped up
by Cronins nose" Ia reference to
the Oregon easel (which Is not now
he will be inaugurated
on the 9TH of March.
"A great many Western Democrats
are In receipt of kilograms from their
to put forth every effort
to prevent the declaration of Hayes
election in Joint convention, Just how
.N>ay are ~" - d. it is nov Il