Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1877 — EPITOME OF THE WEEK. [ARTICLE]

EPITOME OF THE WEEK.

CONDENSED TEUSRAHIIC NEWS. Tun Mexican Gan. Cortina was arrested at Matamoras, on the afternoon of the 24th, and placed in the military prison. It was believed that he would be court-martialed and shot for not reporting to President Dias at the City of Mexico, as be was directed. A resolution was adopted in the Louisiana Nicholls’ Legislature, on the 24th, declaring that the people of the Bute will in no event pay taxes except to the Government at the head of which is Gov. Nicholls, and that an attempt, by any otter authority, to collect taxes will lead to civil strife, if not to bloodshed and actual war. A Washington dispatch of the following day says the President had said that neither of the State Government* in Lousiana or South Carolina would be recognized by him, as he thought it would be improper for him to embarrass his successor by fixing a Southern policy for him. He said the people were tired of employing the military to sustain a State Government, and added: “If a Republican State Government cannot sustain itself, it will have to give way. If a remedy is required, Jet Con gress, and n«.t the President, provide it." A Bucharest dispatch of the 26th says the Roumanian railways had been instructed to prepare for the speedy transportation of Russian troops to the Danube. According to the Berlincorrespondent of the London Timet ot the 26th, the Russian Government had given thfe most pacific assurances, and frankly stated she had no wish for war, and would be glad to desist from hostilities were some regard paid to her feelings and the position in which she was placed. A dispatch from New Iberia, La., of the 26th, addressed to Gov. Packard, says a collision had occurred the day before at Jeanerett between the whites and blacks. Both parties were under arms, and great excitement prevailed. Thb will of the late Commodore Vander hilt was offered for probate on the 27th ult. Protest* were offered by Cornelius J. Vanderbilt and four other heirs. Late Halifax (N. 8.) dispatches announce great consternation tn that country over the discovery that the seal used by the Government is not the true seal, and that in consequence all public acta since 1869 are void. On the 27th ult., the United States Treasurer destroyed >745,828 legal-tenders, the same being eighty per cent, of the National Bank notes issued during February. This leaves the outstanding legal-tenders >364,289,484. Berlin dispatches to the London Timet, printed on the 28th, say the sentiment of the better class of Russians was decidedly opposed to the immediate commencement of hostilities with Turkey. President-elect and Mrs. Bayes were tendered a grand reception and ovation at Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th ult Very many politicians of both parties attended, and expressed their wishes for a prosperous Administration. The two houses of the Legislature met in joint session, and Gov. Hayes addressed them from the Speaker’s chair, briefly returning thanks for the expression of good will tendered himself and wife. FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Friday, Feb. 23.—Several amendments to the N aval Appropriation bbl were agreed to in the Senate, and the bill, aa amended, was parsed. The •bill granting the right of way to the Hot Springs Railway Company over the Hot Springs Reservation in Arkansas was also passed....ln the House, several amendments to the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill were agreed to, when, at a little after three p. tn., a motion for a recess until ten o'clock on the morning of the 24th was made, amid considerable excitement, the general understanding being that the object was to slave off any farther action on the Presidential count, as it was rumored that the decision of the Commission in the Oregon case was adverse to the Democrats; the yeas and nays on the motion for recess were demanded, and resulted in—yeas, 130; nays. 109. Saturday, Feb. 24.—The. credentials of Mr. Ferry, of Michigan, re-elected Senator, were filed in the Senate. After debate, a resoln tion was adopted sustaining the decision of the Commission upon the Electoral vote of the State of Oregon. The objection to the Electoral vote of Mr. Morrill, of Pennsylvania, was overruled as in valid.... The Army Appropriation bill was reported in the House. Conference Committees were ordered on the Senate amendments to the Postoffice, the Deficiency, the Naval and Legislative Appropriation bills. The Poet-Route bill was passed, as was also the Senate bill authorizing the appointment of a Commission to prepare for the publication of a new edition of the Revised Statutes. Notice having been received that the Electoral Commission had come to a decision in the case of Oregon, a resolution was adopted—l 67 to 89—to notify the Senate that the House was then ready to receive that body. After the Senators had retired,from ihe Joint Convention, Mr. Clymer offered avesolntion that, for the more careful consideration of the objections to the Oregon decision, a recess be taken until ten o'clock a. m. on the 26th, which resolution was finally rejected—yeas, 112; nays, 158. Mr. Lane then moved for a recess until 9:30 on the morning of the 26th, but the Speaker decided the motion to be a dilatory one. After considerable debate on the question of counting the Electoral vote of Oregon, the decision of the Commission was finally disagreed with, and the Senate notified. The Pennsylvania question was not discussed. Monday, Feb. 26.—N0 business was transacted in the Senate, that body awaiting the decision of the House in the Pennsylvania Elector's case.... In the House, it was decided—l 33 to 116 that the testimony taken before the Committee on Privileges and Elections in the case of Mr. Brigus, appointed as an Elector in Pennsylvania, In place of Mr. Morrill, Centennial Commissioner, should be read, when a resolution was offered that the vote of Mr. Bnggs should be counted, ■nd a substitute was proposed that it should not be. During the discussion which ensued. Mr. Hewitt renewed a charge, which he made on the Mth,tbatMr. Hoar had acted in bad faith in voting in . the Electoral Commission at variance with Ms speecltiu the House—claiming that he (Hoar) bad favored in his speech the investigation into the alleged frauds of the Returning Boards in Florida and Louisiana, and then voted against such Investigation in the Commission; that where there was an allegation of fraud he had voted that there was no power to prevent fraud. He concluded his remarks by saying that the Democratic side of the House should not meet bad faith with bad faith, bnt should abide the decision of the Tribunal, however unjust it might be. His remarks caused a good deal of excitement, and Mr. Hoar replied, denying the charge of want of good faith on his part. The resolution that Mr. Briggs' vote should not be counted was finally adopted—l3s to 119-because he was not appointed in conformity with the Constitution and laws Of Pennsylvania. Tuesday, Feb. 27.-—ln the Senate, the House resolutions in respect to the memory of the late Speaker Kerr were called up. and, after eulogies bad been delivered by several Senators, were unanimously agreed to. A motion was agreed to—29 to 28—to postpone until the first Monday of December next further consideration of the bill to amend the Pacific Railroad act so as to create a sinking fund for the liquidation of the indebtedness due the Government by the Pacific Railroad Companies. The House bill to provide for thesale of desert lands tn California. Oregon and Nevada, and the Territories of Washington. Idaho, Montana, Utah. Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico and Dakota was amended and passed. The Senate bill for the relief of settlers on public lands was passed, anthmizing homestead and preemption settlers whose crops were destroyed by grasshoppers in 187* to leave and be absent from their land* until 1853....1n the House, the Conference report on the Indian Appropriation bill wm agreed to. A bill wm passed providing that, to case of a failure to elect a President and Vice-President, the VicePrerident of the Senate, or. in case ot a vacancy to timt office, then tbs Speaker ot the House, or. in

Wednesday , Feb. 28.—1 n the Senate, ■ resolution was adopted—39 to SS—sustaining the decision of tbs Electoral Commission upon the vote of South Carolina, and a resolution wm unanimously adopted that th* vote of Mr. Solace (ojjaction haring been made thereto) m an Elector for Vermont be counted with the other Electoral votes of that State.... In th* Hstwe, after several dilatory motions had been mads, and were overruled br the Speaker, a vote was finally taken on the South Carolina Pre»l<L nilal vote, and a resolution wm adopted that the declrion of the Commlsaiou relative to the Electoral vote of that State be not sustained, and that ths vote be not counted. Pending the question relative to the Vermont Elector fMr. Solace), a rec*** was taken until ten o'clock on the Ist. COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES. The Electoral Commission reassembled at ten o’clock on the morning of the 23d. Mr. Matthews, for the Republicans, spoke in opposition to the Cronin certificate. He Insisted that the Republican* occupied the ground they occupied at the beginning, and which bad been fully sustained by the decisions in the Florida and Louisiana CMea, via., that a certificate, based on the returns, wm conriuDtve evidence of en election. The trouble with the Oregon caee wm that the Cronin certificate wm not bMed on the return*. but entirely independent of them, Aetlnconclusion of Mr. Matthews’ speech, the Commission resolved to receive evidence, but, none being forthcoming, the Commission took a recess. After the recess, Mr. Merrick offered a certified copy of the commission of John W. Watt*, m Postmaster, dated Feb. 18. 1873. Mr. Evarts objected to the paper m not authenticated. Judge Clifford sustained the objection, but Mr. Evart* afterward withdrew it, and Mt. Merrick presented the commission of Henry M. Hill as Postmaster, dated Jan. 3, 1877, in which it wm recited that he «m appointed on the 3d of November. 1878. A telegram from Mr. Watts received on the 14th of November, resigning his position, was offered and admitted PoitrniMter-Generai Tyner testified to the receipt of this resignation and the appointment Of a successor Mr. Watts testified as to the same tacts, and Mr. McGrew. Sixth Auditor, testified that Watts’ accounts had been adjusted up to and including Nov. 14. At half-past one o'clock Mr. Evarts commenced his argument. After stating that the Republican view of the case wa« consistent with their claims in the esses of Florida and Louisiana, he took up the certificate of Odell, Cartwright and Warts, claiming that in it every Constitutional requirement bad been complied with. Mr. Merrick epoke in behalf ot toe Democrat*, and argued that, the laws of Louisiana, Florida and Oregon being similar In respect to the appointment of Electors, If it was wrong to go behind the certificates In one case it was in the other. At the conclusion of Mr. Merrick's address, the Commission went into secret session, and soon after adjourned until ten a. m. on the following day, agreeing to take a vote at four p. m„ unless the member* should be prepared to vote at an earlier hour. The Electoral Commission reassembled in secret session at 10:80 a. m., on the 23d, and remained in consultation on the Oregon cms four and a half hours. At three o'clock, the discussion being concluded, and Senator Thurman not having been able to attend on account of illness, a recess wm taken and a committee appointed to learn from him whether he wonld come to the Capitol to vote or preferred that the Commission should proceed to his residence and transact their business there. The latter wm his wish, and the members of the Commission proceeded to Senator Thurman’s residence. The Senator wm confined to his bed. and so remained dnring the entire session. The Commission wm called to order and a vote wm taken on the several propositions noted below. Mr. Edmunds submitted a resolution, to the effect that the certificate signed by Cronin, Miller and Parker, purporting to cast the Electoral vote of Oregon, does not contain or certify the Constitutional votes to which the State is entitled. Justice Field offered as * substitute a resolution, declaring tn substance that J. W. Watts wm ineligible, bn the 7th of November, to the office of Elector, within the express terms of the Constitution. This substitute wm rejected—7 to 8. Justice Fieid then offered a resolution.declaring that Odell and Cartwright were the only persons chosen as Electors in Oregon, Watts being inelijgible because he held an office of profit and trust ■. nder the United States, and that there was a fail i.-e on the part of the State to elect * third Elec or. This was rejected—7 to 8. Justice Flak, offered • third resolution, declaring that the attempted selection of a third elector by Odell and Cartwright was inoperative. It was re.ected by the same vote—7 to 8. Mr. Bayard offered a resolution, to the effect that the votes of Odell and Cartwright were the votes provided for by the Constitution, and that they, and they onlv, were the persons duly appointed Electors from Oregon, and that these votes and none others should be counted from the State of Oregon. This resolution was also rejected—7 to 8. Mr. Edmunds' original proposition was then adopted—ayes, 15; noes, none. Mr. Morton then offered a resolution that Odell, Cartwright and Watts are the lawful Electors of the State of Oregon and that their votes are the votes provided for bv the Constitution, and should be counted, for President and Vice-President. Mr. Hunton moved to strike out the name of Watts. Disagreed to—7 to 8. Mr. Morton's resolution was then adopted—B to 7. The decision and report of the Commission was theu drawn up and signed by the eight members assenting thereto, in substance as follows: “The Electoral Commission, having received certain certificates and papers purporting to be the certificates of the Electoral votes of the State of Oregon, and certain papers accompanying the same and the objections thereto, report that it has duly considered the same, and has decided and does herebv decide that the votes of W. H. Odell, J. C. Cartwright and J. W. Watte, the persons named in the certificate of the Secretary ot the State of Oregon as the persons receiving the highest number of votes for Presidential Electors, are the votes provided for by the Constitution, and'that the same are lawfully to be .counted as testified to in tire certificate cf said Electors, namely, three votes for Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, for President, and three votes far Wm. A. Wheeler, for Vice President.” The report further sets forth that the election of Watts bv the other two members of the Electoral College was in accordance with the < '-onstitution and laws of Oregon. The grounds for this decision, so far as they concern the eligibility of Watts, are, substantially, that it is competent to go behind the certificate of a Governor so far as the same is not founded uponrthe action of the canvassing or returning authority provided for by the laws of the State, which authority in the case of Oregon is held to be the Secretary of State. The report also takes the ground that it is not essential to show that an Elector was eligible on the 7,th of November, provided it be shown that he was-eligible when he cast hia vote in the Electoral College, and the fact appears that the aHeged ineligible Elector, Watte, was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by hi* own absence from the Electoral College, and that he was not ineligible at the time he cast hie vote. The Commls •ion thereupon adjourned to meet in the Supreme Court room at noon on the 24th. The two houses of Congress met in Joint Convention at noon on the 24th, and the decision of the Electoral Commission on the Oregon question was read. The Presiding Officer asked if there were any objections to the decision. Senator Kelly objected on the grounds: First, tbat Watts was not elected: second, that he was not appointed; third, that he was disqualified from serving as a Presidents! Elector because he held •n office of profit and trust under: the United States; fourth, that Cronin wm elected and cast th* legal vote for Tilden, and that his vote should be so counted. There being no further objections, tbe Senate withdrew to its chamber to allow both houses to separately consider them. They reassembled subsequently, and taunted the vote of Oregon for Hayes. When the certificates of Penn sylvania were read, objection wm offered to the vote of Mr. Morrill, and the Senate retired. Without discussing the question, the Hon*e took a recess until the 26th. The Senate, on the 26th, overruled the objections in the Pennsylvania case. In the House, an exciting discussion arose, at the conclusion of which it wm voted—l3s to 119—that Briggs’ vote ought not to be counted. At 3:15 the Senate entered the hall of the House ot Representatives, and both houses went into Joint session. The Presiding Officer, after the action .of eaqh house bad been stated, directed the announcement to be made, and the vote of Pennsylvania was counted for Hayes and Wheeler. When Rhode Island wm reached, objections were made to the vote ot wm. 8. Slater, one of the Electors, on the ground that his appointment was unconstitutional and void. The Senate retired and overruled th* objections, and the House also overruled them. At six o’clock the Senate re-en-tered the chamber, and the vote of Rhode Island wm, after the usual formality, counted for Hayes and Wheeler. The certificates from South Carolina were next read, and objections to tbe Republican certificate were presented by Mr. Cocbrane, and objections to the Democratic certificate by Senator Pattenon. The objections having been read, the Presiding Officer announced their reference to the Electoral Commission, and the Senate retired. The House took a recess until th* following morning. The Electoral Commission reassembled after the two houses had separated. All the members were present. Mr. Kernan, successor to Senator Thurman, taking bi* seat for the first time. The patiers referred to the Commission by ,the two houses in joint session were read by th* Secretary. In response to the inquiry m to who appeared m objectors, Mr. Hurd announced that Mr. Cochrane and himself wonld appear as objectors to certificate No. 1. Mr. Lawrence said that Senator Christiancy and himselt would appear for the objectors to certificate No. 2. Senator Chriatiancy said be appeared for the ob-

(ectors, but they did not propoM to occupy the whole time allowed them. In response to another inquiry a* to who would appear m counsel. Mr. Hnrd said he wm not prepared to state at that time, bnt wonld announce the counsel io th* Commission next morning. Mr. Matthew* stated that Mr. Sbellabarger and himself wonld appear fa favor ol certificate No. 1. Th* Commission then adjourned to the :17th. The Electoral Commission met on the *7th, at ten a m. Mr Hnrd stated that no counsel would appear for th* objectors to the Republican certificate, and than submitted hi* reason* why that certificate should be rejected. Judge Blsck and Mr. Blair at this point volunteered to appear as counsel for th* objectors to the Republican certificate. Mr. Hnrd was followed by Mr. Cochrane In behalf of the Democrats, charging disfranchisement of 80,000 voters through lack of registration and th* presence ot troops, which prevented a free election. Mr. Lawrence, for the Republicans, claimed that a want of registration did not effect the election; Insisted that th* form of government in South Carolina was repnolican and characterised tbe statement tbat troop* had been sent thither to intimidate Elector* M untrue. When Mr. Lawrence had concluded. Senator Christiancy, waiving his right to be beard as an objector, Mr. Blair addressed the Commission, offering to prove that, owing to the presence of troops, there wm and could be no fall and fair election. At the conclusion of Mr. Blair's remarks, Judge Lawrence said the Republican connsei. In view of th* brevity of the time, had concluded to submit the css* without argument. Tbe concluding argument for the Democrats was made by Judge Black, after which the Commission went into secret session, and so remained until seven p. m. At six o'clock tbe voting begun. Mr. Morion offered a resolution declaring the offer* to prove that South Carolina did not have a republican- form of government, and io show that th* presence of troops tended to prevent a fall and fair election, wore not competent, and that tbe Electoral votes of South Carolina should be counted. Mr. Field offered a substitute, in substance, that the presence of United State* trodpa and United States Marshals did deprive tbe people of th* right of suffrage, and tbat therefore tbe Republican Electoral vote should not be counted. Tniv substitute wm rejected—7 to B—and Mr. Morton's resolution* adopted—3 to 7. Mr. Frehnghuysen offered a resolution declaring that the persons named In the Democratic certificates were not the lawful Elector* and their votes should not be connted. This was adopted unanimously. Mr. Morton offered a resolution declaring that the persons named in the Republican certificate were the lawful Electors of the State of South Carolina, and that their votes be counted. This motion prevailed—B to 7. Mr. Morton offered a resolution conveying the thanks of th* Commission to Commissioner Clifford for the ability, impartiality and urbanity with which he had presided over its deliberations. This Was adopted unanimously. A report was drawn up to be presented to the two houses, giving the grounds of its decision as follows: That it appears upon such evidence as, by the Constitution and law creating this Commission, is competent and pertinent to the consideration of the subject tbat the Republican Electors anpear to have been lawfully appointed such Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States for the term beginning March 4, 1877, of the State of South Carolina, and that they voted as such at the time and in the manner provided by the Constitution of the United States and the law, and the Commission has, by a majority of votes, decided that it is not competent, under the Constitution and law. to go Into evidence aliunde papers opened by the President of the Senate in the presence of the two houses to move that other persons than those regularly certified to by the Governor of th* State on and according to tbe determination of the appointment by the returning officers for the* elections in said State prior to the time required for the performance of their duties had been appointed Electors, or by counter-proof to show that they had not, or that the determination of said returning officers wm not in accordance with the truth and fact, the Commission by a majority of votes being of opinion that it is not within the jurisdiction of the two houses of Congress assembled to count the votes for President and Vice-President to enter upon the trial of such question. The report also sets forth the fact tbat tbe votes of the Democratic Electors of South Carolina were rejected by the unanimous vote of tbe Commission. At 12:10 on the 28th ult., the Senate and House met in Joint Convention to proceed with the count. The decision of the Commission in the South Carolina case was read. Two sets of objections to counting the vote were presented, one by Mr. Phillips, of Missouri, and one by Mr Southard, of Ohio. The Senate withdrew, that the two houses might sepatately consider them. The Senate promptly overruled the objections, and the Home, alter an exciting debate, and an attempt at filibustering, voted to sustain them. At 6:30 p. m., the Senate joined the House, and the action of each house having been read, tbe Presiding Officer announced that, the two houses not concurring, the vote of South Carolina would be counted for Hayes and Wheeler, and it was so counted and announced. The votes of Tennessee and TeX'as were then announced for Tilden and Hendricks without objection and without a full reading ot the certificates. The certificate from Vermont having being read, Mr. Poppleton rose to present objections to it, but first asked the Presiding Officer whether any other certificate had been received from Vermont, than that which had been read. The Presiding Officer replied in the negative. Mr. Hewitt stated that he held In his band a package purporting to contain the Electoral votes of Vermont, which package had been delivered to him by express about the middle of December, and that with It came a letter stating that a similar package had been forwarded to the President of the Senate by mail. On learning to-day that no corresponding package bad been received by the Presiding Officer, he had tendered to him this package (holding it up;, tbe seals of which were still unbroken, and the Presiding Officer declined to receive them. He now tendered the package to th* Presiding Officer as purporting io contain the Electoral votes of Vermont. The Chair stated tnat he had received but one certificate from Vermont. The Chair also stated that the law prohibits him from receiving any after the first Thursday in February. His duty was to receive, open, ana have read all that had been received on that day. Mr. Springer offered to submit a resolution which the Chair deelined to entertain unless offered as an objection to the certificate from Vermont. Finally objections were offered to the count of the vote of Henry N. Solace, one of the Electors, pn the ground that he was Postmaster when elected, and that the law of Vermont did not authorize an appointment by, the College of Electors to fill the vacancy caused by the absence of an Elector. At this point Mr. Springer demanded that the duplicate returns offered by Mr. Hewitt be read and that the case be remanded to the Electoral Commission. The Chair stated that he had not received the alleged dnplicate return as provided by law, and ignored the demand, and said that the Senate would retire in order that the two houses might separately consider the objections. As the Senators were withdrawing, Mr. Springer called out that he now made* point of order that, there being duplicate returns, the case had now gone to the Electoral Commission, and could not be considered by the two houses. No attention, however, wm paid to it, nor to the proposition made immediately afterward by Mr. Mills, that the House proceed to elect a President, the Speaker declaring, under the terms of the compromise agreement, that the House should take a recess until ten o'clock on the morning of the Ist.