The New York Herald Newspaper, December 6, 1876, Page 6

C CONGRESS. Preparing for the Investigation of the Elections in the Southern States. COMMITTEES TO BE SENT SOUTH. Bib Se EEAER Eloquent Debate on the Powers of the Senate Under the Constitution. BEADING OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. Riasth aes eae a, Manner of Counting the Electoral Votes from 1789 to 1873, ————- A Statement by the Chief Clerk of the Senate. SENATE. «© Wasuiye Dee. 5, 1876. After the reading of the journal of yesterday's pro- Ceedings, a message was received from the House of Representatives, through Mr, Adams, the Clerk thereo!, announcing that the House bad orgamzed and was ready lo proceed to business; also, that a commit- tee had been appointed to jom the uittee on the part of the Senate to notify the President that a quo- Tum of the two houses bas assembied, METHOD OP ELECTING IDENT. Mr. Morton, (rep.) of Ind., submisted a joint reso- Non, proposing an amendment to th the United § President and Vice President of the United States by a direct vote of the people, which was read, and 1% was ordered that it He on the table until the appointment of committees, and then be reierred to the Committce on Privileges and Elections, In submitting the resolution Mr, Moroy said it was identical with the proposition reported by the Com- mittee on Privileges and Elections two years TUR Y Mr, Wnicit, (rep,) of Iowa, presented a petition of the citizens of lowa, asking that that State be divided Into two judicial districts, to be known as the North- ern and Southern districts. Ordered to bo referred to the Committee on Judiciary when appointed. Mr. Moxtox presented a document compiled by Major McDonald, Chief Clerk of the Senate, in regard to the counting of the electoral vote trom 1789 to 1873, and said the information contained in the rompilation was of great importance and valuable to ‘he country at this time, He moved that 10,000 copies de printed for distribution, ‘The following is a résume of the document:— Con ess ot the ¢ 1787, directed jons adopted by the be transmit . to be submit One of those rn federation, on th constitution nvent to the f the peo- following the opinion of this Convention, thar sof nine Stites shail have ratified the United States in Congress assembled, n whien ould be uppointed hy 18, and # day on to vote” for this const: should fix a day she States which shall have which she the tors should Preyident, and the time and place for amencing —" proceegings under this censti- iution. That after such publication the electors should be Appointed and the Senators und Representatives vive That the electors should meet on the day fixed for the ele tion of the President, and should transinit their votes, core tiled, stened, seuled and directed, us the coustitution re quires, to the Secrotary of the United Statey in Congress assembled; that the Senatods and Kepresentatives should convene at th e ans place assigned; thar the tors shouid appoint a President of the Seunte, forthe sole pure pose of receiving, opening and counting the votes for Presi- tent; and that, after Le shall be chosen, she Congress, to- kether with the President, should, without delay, proceed to exeeute this consticutio ELECTION FOR THE FinsT TERM—1789--1793, Grorck Wastyorox, President, Joux Aas, Vice Preside COUNTING THE VOTE assem! Arnit. 6, 1789, The Senate proceeded by ballot to tie choice of a vient for the sole purpose of opening and counting votes for President of the United States, Jolin Langdon, Ksq., was elected. Ordered, That Mr. Ellsworth inform the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is tormed ; & president is clected Jor the sole purpose of open: certificates and couuting (he votes of the vice of a Presi- dent and Vice Presidqnt of the United States, and that the Senate is now ready, iu the Senate Chamber, to din the pri Of the House to disebarge that wud that the Senate has appomted one of 1s the duty, members to sit at the Clerk’s table to make a list of the as they shad be declared, submitting it to the isdom of the House to appoint one or more of their members tor the ike purpose—who reported that ne had delivered tue me ge. Mr. BoUDINOR, from the House of Represontatives, communicated the following verbal message to the © that the House is ate to atiend the open- F ng of the votes of the clectors of the President ana Vice President of the United States, ordered, That Mr. Paterson be a teller on the part of the senate ‘The Spouker and the House of Representatives at- tended ju the Senate Chamber for the purpose ex- pressed in the message delivered by Mr. Ellsworth, and after some time withdrew, ‘The Senate then proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a President of their body, pro fem. ,» Was duly elected, cted for the purpose of counting jared to the Senate that the & ate and House of Represeutatives had met, and that be, in their pre had opened and counted the votes of the electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America. PORM OP THE CERTIFICATE FOR THE PRE the senate and Ho States of America, ot New Yo Uth day of A Lord 1789, th 4 » Senate vase of Kepresentntives, s votes of Ihe lent, oy whieh + Way tion, ty the oMlice eriea. eunto set my band and JOUN LANGDON A similar certificate, substituting the word “Vice dent” tor that of “President,” aud the word for “unanimously”? was prepared for Mr. These certiticates, accompanied by appropri- ers trom Mr. Langdon, President of the Sen , were de rhed by special messengers appointed y the Senate for that purpose to General Wasbington and Mr. Adams, KLECTION FOR THE FOU. Tuomas Jevenn Aaron Bern, cOUNT ably to the nited States RTH TERM— 1501-1805. President, ! President, Tue VoTRS. January 23, 1801, Phe following message was received trom the House of Representatives by Mr. Qewatd, their Clerk Mr. Puesipest:—The House of Representatives have passed a resolution for the appomtment of a commit- twee, of their part, with such as may be appointed on the part of the Seuate, to ascertain and report a mode ol examining the votes tor President and Vico Presi- dent, and of notifying the persons who shall be cleeted Of their election, ‘and to regulate the time, place and Manner of administering the oath of office to the Presi- dent; in Which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. JaNcary 27, 1801 The Senate concurred in the foregoing resolution, and appointed Messrs. Morris, Tracy, and Bingham to be the committee on the part of the Senate. Frexvany 9, 1801. Mr. Monnis, from the joint commitice, appoiuted the 27th Of Jauuary last to ascertain and report the mode of examining the votes for President and Vice Presi- dent of the Unned tes, reporied that the committee: could co to no agi went On the same day tue Sevate adopted the following olution :— solved, That t ate will be ready to receive t vex in thy part of the Senate tof the tnited wd Hit sh inly to the « s deemed 9 sult othe journal shall 4, That the Secretary notify the House of Repre- Beutatives of this resolution, i Frnecany 10, 1801, On motion that when the two houses shall proceed to upening and counting the votes for President of tue United States no person snail be admitied into the ix passed in the aifirmative—yeas 16, nays 10. ‘The following message Was received from tive House of Representatives by Mr. Oswald, tuctr Clerk:— solved, That this House will attend in the chamber of denute on Wednesday next, at twelve o'clock, for the Pp being present at the openiny and counting of € ¥. tis for President and Vice President of the Unired states: that Messrs, Kutledge and Nichoias be appotited tellers, to wet Si With tbe teller appoluied an the part ot t Kensie, to make a list of the votes for Peexidene and View Prosdeut of the United states as they shalt be dectared; tha. the resalt shall be delivered tu tho President of the Senate, Who shail anuounee the state ot the vote, whieh shail be ontered on the Te stall ap tints ehoiee bath heen mind y to the constitution such @ntry on the Journals shall Le decmed a suficient declare tion thereat On motion, orde That Mr. Wells be a te rou the part of tie Seuute for the purpose expressed 1a nstitution of ates, 80 as to provide for the election of chamber of the House of Represen th day of Februar, | House of Representatives, the I" the above resolution, and the Secretary notify tho House of Representatives accordingly. Feurvary 11, 1801. Ordered, That the Secretary notity the House of Representatives that the Senate is ready to meet them ig the Senate Chamber tor the purpose of being pres- ent at the opening and counting the votes for Presi- dent of the United States. The two houses of Congress accordingly assembled in the Senate Chamber, aud the certificates of the elec- tors of sixteen States were, by the Vice President, opened and delivered to the tellers appointed for the purpose, who, having examined and ascertamed the , presented a list thereof to the Vice Presi 5 us read, Whereupon the Vice President declared that the re- suit of the votes, as delivered by the tellers, That Thomas Jefierson had 73; that Aaron Burr bad hat Johu Adams had 65; that Charles Cotesworth kney bud 64; that John Jay bad 1. NO CHOICE BY THE PROPLE. ‘That the whole number of electors who had voted were 138, of which number Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr had a majority; but the number of those voting for them being equal, no choice was made by tho people, and that, consequently, the remaining du- ties devolve on the House of Representa ‘The two houses then separated, and the House of Representatives, being returned to their chamber, pro- ceeded in the manner prescribed by the constitution to ballot by States for the choice of a President of the United States, Pine Fenrvany 11, 1801, On this day nineteen ballotings were had, in each ot which Thomas Jefferson received the votes of eight States, Aaron Burr received the votes of six States, aud the votes of two States were divided, Feunvanry 12, 1801. On this day nine ballotings were had, making twenty-eight in all, with the same result at each ballot as on the day before. Prsevary 13, 1801. On this day one ballot, the twenty-ninth, was had, with the same result as on the two preceding days. Frorvary 14 (Saturday On this day four ballotings were had, making thirty-three, with the same resuit_as on the three pre- coding days, Frervary 16 (Monday), 1801, On this day one ballot, the thirty-fourth, was had, .| With the same result as on the preceding days. Feskuaky 17, 1801, On this day the thirty-fifth ballot was declared, with the like result; when on the thirty-sixth ballot the Speaker declared to the House that the votes of ten States nad been given for Thomas Jeflersou; the votes of four States had been given for Aaron Burr; and that the votes of two States bad been given that, consequently, Thomas Jefferson bad to the constitution, elected President ‘ot United States for four years from the 4th day of March next, Fkurvary 18, 1801, The Senate, having been notified by the Hou the election of Thomas Jefferson as President 0} United States, adopted the following resolution, which which was ordered to be laid belore tho President of the United State: of his el. ction to that office: and that the Pretident of the ate do make out and sign a certitieate in the words fol- lowing, vin. :— n, That the Senate and House of Representa. tives of the United states of America, ig couvened at the city of Washington, on the second Wednesday at Febru- D, 1801, the ‘underwritten, Vico President of the § Prosident of the Senate, did, in. the pr nate and House of Representatives, open itientes and count all the votes of the electors for whereupon it appeared that Thomas Jefferson, cinia, and Awron Burr, of New York, had majority f the votes of the electors, und an equal ‘number of votes; msequence of which the House of Kepresentatives pro- 1 to @ choice of President, and have this day notitied enate that Thomas Jett ron has by them been duty President; by all of which it appears that Aaron f New, York, is duly elected, azreenbly to the , Vice President of the United States of America, In witness whereot I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of February, 180]. THOMAS JEFFERSON, ELECTION FOR THE TENTH TERM—1825—1829, Joun Quixcy Apams, Presiaent. Joux C, Catnous, Vice President + COUNTING THE VOTES. Frarvany 1,1 Resolved, That ® committes be appointed, to join such commitiee as may be appointed by the House ot Represe tatives, to ascertain aud report « moue of examining votes for President and Vice President of the United States, und of notifying the persons elected of their election. Mr. Tazewell, Mr, Vandyke, and Mr. King, of Alabama, were appointed of the said committee on the part of che Senate, TUE JOINT RULE. Fenrvary 8, 1825, A message from the House of Representatives an- nounced that the House had concurred in the tore going resolution, and appointed a committee on its part. Mr. TAzkWELL, from the committee, reported, in part, the agreement of the joint committee to the fol- lowing resolution; — Resolved, That the two houses shall assemble in the ives on Wednesday, the wYclock; that one por- nu be appointed geller on the part of the Senate and two ns be appointed tellers on the part of the Houxe to uke # list of the votes us they shall be declared: thut the livered to the President of the Sehute, who ¥ assembled, as aforesaid, the state of the vote und tl m1 OF persons elected, ifit achoice hath been made agreeably to the t the United States, which annunelution shall sufficient declaration of the person or persons aud, together with # list of the votes, shall be en- tered on the Journals of the two houses, The said report was read and considered and agreed to, chose: | Burr, Esq., constitutio; 1825, at twet Fennvary, 9, 1825, A message from the House of representatives an- nounced that the House was ready to receive the Senate, In pursuauce of the resulutiun of the two houses of yesterday, ‘to the end that the Presiuent of the Senate, tn the presence of the House of Repres tatlves, may open the certificates of the votes of the electors of the several States, im the choice ot a President and Vice President of the United States;? and that when the mem- in the chamber ot th sident of the Senate will be introduced by the Speaker to a seat in the Speaker's chair, aud the Senutors will be invited to occupy the seats in tront of the chair, The two houses of Congress, agreeably to the joint resolution, assembled tn the tnber of the House of Representatives, and the certiticates of the electors of several Stutes were, by tho Presiaent of the Senate, opened and delivered to the teliers appointed for the pHrpose, Who, having examined and ascertained the NeMber ot votes, presented a list thereofto the Presi- dent of the Senate; which was read, The whole num- ver of electors appointed to vote for President and Vieo President being 261, of which 131 makea majority, ‘The President of the Senate then stated the result of the votes for Prosident of the United States, as deliv. ered by the tellers, to be:—Kor Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, 99; tor John Quincy Adams, of Massachu- setts, 84; for Wilham H. Crawford, ot Georgia, 41; for Heury Clay, of Kentucky, 37, And the result’ of the votes for Vice Presideut of the United States, as de. livered by the tellers, to be:—For John C. Calnoun, of Soutn Carolina, 182; lor Nathan Santord, of New York, 30; for Nathaniel Mason, of North Caroliua, 24; tor ‘Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, 13; for Martin Van Buren, of New York, 9; for Henry Clay, of Ken- tucky, 2 The President of the Senate declared that no person bad a majority of all the votes of the whole number of clectors appointed to vote for President of the United States tor the term of four years, commencing With the 4th day of March, 1825, ‘What the three persons having the highest number of Votes are, Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee ; John Quincy Adame, of Massachusetts, aud Wiilam H. Crawiord, of Georgia, and that conseanny the remaining duties devolve on the House of Representatives, And he turther declared that Jotun C. Calhoun, of South Carouna, bad a majority of the votes of the whole number of electors appointed, and was duly elected Vico President of the United ‘States tor the term of Jour years, commencing with the 4th day of March, Is25. ‘The Senate having returned to its chamber, the fol- lowing proceedings were had by the Houso of Repre- sentatives: (The House of Representatives proceeded, in th bed by the constitution, to the ebulee of & nited States, nthe 4th of Mareh 18: been caiied by the dopted by the House, on th st. iL appeare ber way present, except Kobort S. Garnett, of bo way absent trom Iudisposition). rs of the respective Bates having taken seats as required by the fifth rule, adopted on the 7th inst, pr ceeded to ballot in the manuer preseribed by the said rule; and the delegations of the respective States having pluced duplicates of their votes in the two general baliot boxes, the said boxes were deposited on tables prepared for the purpose, The tellers (consisting of ono member from each State appointed by the delegation of his State) proceeded to e<- amine aud coout ths ballots. and having completed the same, and the votes in the two Doxes axrdelug. the tele reported that the votes of thirteen States hi for Jobn Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts; that the vote of seven States hud been given fi cl hese : and that the votes of four States hud been given U, Crawford, of Georgia. members of the Senate appea manner resident se, and declared That Jolin Quiney Adams, of Massachusetts, having’ re- ceived 4 maj: rity of the votes of wil the Stutes of this Union, was duly el Freaident of the United states for four yeury, to cot the 4th of Mareh, 1825, | Frunvsny 10, 1825. A message was received from the House of Repre- sentatives by its clerk, annoancing to the Senate that the House of Representatives did, on the 9b inst, ehoose Jobn Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, to be President.of the United States for the cousuiutional term of four year, commencing on the 4th day of Murch, 1825. t the Senate and House of Representa- rien being couvened at second Wednesday ot Feb- ne thousand eight hundred resident of the senate the said Senate xud tives of the L the city of Washing ruary, it the your ot nud twenty-five, the pro temg Mle, Vi atl House ot Repee pen al! the certificates and count all the votes of the electurs for a tora Vv Presiaent of the Un whereupon EF ay peared that Joho © Caibonn, wrolina, had a ma ident wt alhown, of Sout jority of the Votes of the electors as. View Pr of whieh it appears that ling. has beea duly elected Vice President Stites axreenbly to (he constitution Te who f { Wave bereunto set x day of Febraary, 182 Aut that the #resident of the Senate do canse the certificate atoresald to be lad b re the Pr of the United Suites, With thas reso,ucon, i hand this — ELECTION YOR TH THIGIMES TERM— 1837—1s41. Manny Vay Bere, President + Ricwary M. Jonxsos, Vice lros COUNTING THE VOr Resolved, That a committee Le app NEW YORK HERA Care | tthe United | committee as may be appointed by the House of Repre- sentatives to ascertain and report a mode of examinin the votes of President and Vice President of the Unit States, and of notifying the persons of their election: and also to inquire in ‘expediency of ascertaining whether any votes were given ut the recent election contrary to the prohibitio tained in the second section of the second article stitution, and if any such votes were given what ought to be done with them, and whether any and what provision ought to be made for securing the faithtul observance in future of that section of the constitution, Mr. Grundy, Mr. Clay and Mr, Wright were appointed the committee on the part of the Senate. Fepuvany 1, 1837, A message trom the House of Representatives an- Bounced that the House had concurred in the fore- going resolution, and had appointed Mr. Thomas, Mr. Chambreiing, Mr. Reed, Mr. Counor and Mr, Lyon the committee on its part, THE QUESTION OF INELIGIBLE KLECTORS, Fevavary 4, 1837. Mr. Grundy, from the committee on the part of the Senate, ‘appointed to join such committee as might be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to ascertain and report a mode of examining the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, of notifying the persons elected of their election, and also to iquire into the expediency of ascertaining whether any votes were given at the recent election contrary to the proh'bition contained in the second section of the second articie of the constitution, and, if apy such votes were given, What ought to be dove with them, and whether avy and what provision ought to be mace tor ting the faithtul observance in future of that section of the constitution,” submitted the following report and accompany ing resolutions : That the short perioa at which they were appointed belure the day on winch the votes for President aud Vice President of the United States have to be counted has prevented them irom investigating the facts sub- mitted to their examination as tully as might have been done had more time been aliowed. The corre- spondence which has taken place between the chair- man of the commitice und the heads ot the aifferent departments of the executiye branch of the govern- ment accompanies this report, from which it appears that Isaac Waldron, who was an clector in New Hamp- shire, was, at the Ume of bis appointment as elector, president ‘of a deposit bank at Portsmouth, and was Appomted and acting as peusion agent, without com- pepsation, under the authority of the United states; that in two cases persons of the same names with the individuais who were appointed ond yoted as electors in the State ot North Carolina ‘held the offices of deputy postmasters under the general government, It also appears that in New Hampsbire there 1s one case; in Connecticut there 18 ‘one case; in North Carolina there is one case, ta which, trom the report of the Postmaster General, it is: prob- able that, at the time of the appointment of electors 10 those States respectively, the electors or persons of the kame names were depuly postinasters, ‘The com- mittee have not ascertained whether the electors are the same individuals who held, or are presumed to have held, the offices of deputy postmusters at the time when the appointment of electers was made; and this 18 the less to be regretted us it is conhdently believed that no change in the result of the election of either the President or the Vice President would be effected by the ascertainment of the fact in either wa: five or six votes only would in any event be abstracte from the whole number, for the committee cannot adopt the opinion entertained by some that a singlo illegal vote would vitiate the whole electoral vote of the college of electors in which it was given, particu- larly in cases where the voto of the whole college bas been given for the same persons, Tbe committee are of opinion that the second section of the second article of the constitution, which declares that **no Senator or Represeutative, or person holding an office of trust or prolit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector,’ ought to be carried in its whole spirit into rigia execution in order to pre- vent officers of the geveral government from bringing their offictal power to influence the elections of Presi- dent and Vice President of the United States, This provision of the constitution, it is believed, exeludes and d:squal)fes deputy postmasters from tho appoint- tment of electors; and the disqualitication relates to the time of the appolutments, and tuat a resignation ot the office of deputy postmaster after bis appointment as elector would not entitle him to vote as elector under the constitution, Should a case occur in which 1t became necessary to ascertain and determine upon the qualifications of electors of President and Vice President of the United States, the important question would be presented, what tribunal would, under the constitution, be com- peteny to decide? Whether the respective colleges of electors in the different States should decide upon the qualifications of their own members, or Congress should exercise the power, is u question which the committee are of opinion ought to de settled by a per- jent provision upon the subject the committee at present, wud in part, report the following resolutions :— Resolved, That the two houses shall assemble in the House of Representatives on Wednes .ay ck. and the President of the Senate I'be the presiding officer; that one person be appointed eller oi the purt of the Senate aud two on the part of the House of Reps © make a list of the votes they shutl bo i tat the rosult xball be di ed t the’ Presid of the vote 4 sombled as wforesni of the persons olected President United States: and, together with a list of votes, be en- tore on the journal of the two hous Resolved, Thut, in relation to the votes of Michigan, if the counting or omitting to count them shall not chanue the result of the vicetion, they shail be ro the President of the Senate in the following manner :—Were the votes of Michizun (o be counted the result would be, for B for President of the United States tes d. for AB for President of the United States, butin-eith r event A Bis elected President of the United States, And in the sume manner for Vice President, ‘The Senate proceeded to consider the resoluttons by unanimous consent, and the resolutions were agreed to. ‘Tue President of the Sevete appointed Mr, Grundy a teller on the part of the Senate. rsons elected to the two houses which shull be deemed @ declaration aw View President of the Feervary 7, 1837. A meszage from the House of Representatives an- nounced that the House had agreed to the foregoing resolution, and had appointed Mr, Thomas and Mr, lo- gersoll tellers on its part. Fennvary 8, 1837, A message from the House of Representatives an- nounced that the House had appointed Levi Lincoln a telier on its part in the place of Mr, Ingersoll, ex- cused; and that it was ready to receive the Seuateand to proceed tn opening the certificates and in counting tue votes of the electors for President and Vice Presi- dent of the United States. Whereupon the two houses of Congress, agreeably to their joint resolu- tion, assembied in the chamber of the House of Represeptutives, and the certificates of the electors of the several States were, by the President of tne Sen- ate, opened and delivered to the tellers appointed tor the purpose, who, having read the same aud ascer- tained the number of voles, presented to the President of the Senate a list thereof, as follows :— The whole number of eigctors appointed, including those of Michigan, 204, 6€ which 148 make a majority; or, excluding the electors. of Michigan, number would be 291, of which 146 make'a majority, The PRESIDENT then announced to the two houses tho state of the vote for President of the United States, as delivered by tho tellers, to be: —For Martio Van Buren, of New York (were Michigan counted, 170; were Michigan pot counted, 1¢7); for William H, Har- Tison, ot Ohio, 73; for Hugh Luwson White, of Ten- nessee, 26; for Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, 14; for Wilhe P. Mangum, of North Carolina, 11. And the state of the vote for Vice President of the United States, ag delivered by the tellers to be:—For Ricburd M. Johnsou, of Kentueky (were Michigan counted, 147; were Michigau not counted, 144); for Francis Granger, of New York, 77; tor Jobn Tyler, of Virginia, 47; for William Smith, of Alabama, 23. That it therefore appeared, that were the votes of Michigan to be counted, the result would be r Martin Van Baren, ot New York, tor Presideat United States, 170 votes; if not’ counted, for Martin Van Buren, of New York, tor President, 167 votes; but, im either event, Martin Van Buren is clected Presi- dent ot the United States. Aud thereupon, he deciared that Martin Van Buren, of New York, having received a majority of the whole number of electoral votes, was duly elected President Of the United States for four years commencing with the 4th of March, 1837. That it also appeared that, were the votes of Michi- gan to be counted, the highest number of votes for Vice President of the United States would be 147; and, if not counted, the highest number would be 144 voues} but, in cuber event, no person hada majority of the electoral votes as Vice President of the United States ; he thereupon declared that, no person having a ma- ony of the whole number of electoral votes as Vico resident of the United States, an election to that office had not been effected; that Richara M. Jotinson, of Kentucky, and Fraueis Granger, ot New York, were the two highest on tie hsts of electoral votes, and that it devoived on the Senate of the United States, as provided in the constitation, to choose from these persons a Vice President of the United States, The Senate then returngd to their chamber, Mr. GRuvpy, trom the jomt committer, reported that the jowmt committee, in further execution of the duties with which they were charged by the two houses of Cougross, have agreed to the following reso« lution, in| which theif committee recommend the Senats to concur: — Resolved, That « ¢ ommittee of one momber of the Senate be appotuced by that body, bors of the House of Kepreseutative that House, to wait on Marti te tothfy lin tat he 8s resident 0 o ed States fur four Years, commencing with the 4th d of Mareh, 1837, ™ on The Senate proceeded, by unanimous consent, to vaid resolution, and concurred therer, reed that the President apport the , and Mr. Grundy was appointed accordingly. Gr ued the folowing revolution, which was considered and agreed to:— Wherens, upon coanting the electoral sence of both houses of Congress, given at the Inte election for Hresidems and Vice President of the United states, it appedts that no person has récelved for tho uiice of View President of the United States 4 taajority of te votes of the whoiw number of elecvors appointed; nod It aso appearing Kichard M, Jotumson, of Kentucky, and Francis ‘anger, of New York, nave the two ty mamoers on the tot tuose vored fur ty Hill the office of President = eretore, Kosolved, That the Senate do now proceed, to et the wxid Riehard MJ we bi, cousider tt sin the pre. o8 son and nOErS ON foliows = rhe enators shallot ! stieniionally jected View Presivent tor fone yours one. the dn a The Sxcrxran¥ having called the names of tac Son- res puaveiical order, the result " is tollo For Rehard M hnson, of Kentucky, thirty, ies, Via Sesere, Lenton, Shick, Browa, Bas chanee, Cathbert, Dona, Bene of Lun » Fulton M , Huvbard. King oF Aiwbama, King tia iyou, MeKean, Moore, Morris, Niles, Norvell, Pago, Parker, Rives, Sevier, Stramge, Tallmadge, Tip: + SixtCeD Votes, on, Critievuen, LD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1 bree | Keus, Kuizbs, Prentiss, Kov: | should be ordered a once, aud bis object In calli bins, Soutnara, Spence, Swift, Tomlinson, Wall and Webster 4 1t appeared, therefore, that the whole number of votes was forty-nine, and that, of these, thirty-three votes were given in favor of Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, and sixteen votes in favor of Francis Granger, of New York, The President of the senate thereupon declared Richard M, Johnson, of Kentucky, constitutionally elected Vice President of the United states for tour years, commencing on the 4th day of Mareb, 1837. The following motion was submitted by Mr. Grundy, considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to:— Resolved, That & committee of three members be ap~ pointed to wait on Richard M. Johnsun, of Kentucky, and to notify him that he hus been this day duly chosen by the Senate, iv mance of the constitution of the Unit States. Vice President of the United states tor four years, commeneing with the 4th day of Mareh, 1837. Mr. Grandy, Mr. Robison and Mr, Niles were ap- pointed the committee. Frprvany 9, 1837. Ordered that the Secretary notify the House of Rep- resentatives that the Senate bas, in parsuanco o! the rovisions coutained 1m the constiution, chosen Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, Vice President of the United States tor four years, commencing with the 4th day of March, 1837. : A mossage trom the House of Representatives an- nounced thatthe House had appoiuted Mr. Thomas and Mr. Lavsing a committee on its part to wait on Martin Van Buren and inform him of his election as President of the United States, Fennvary 10, 1837. Mr. Grundy reported from the joint committee that the committee bad waited upon Martin Van Buren and notified him of Lis election as President of the United States, and that Mr. Van Buren expressed in reply his gratotul sense of the distinguished honor which his fellow citizens had conferred upon him, and requ the committee to assure their respective houses they might rely on nis unceasing and best efforts to execute the responsible trust about to devolve upon him im a manuer the most conducive to the public interest, ELECTION FOR THE TWENTIETH TERM—1865— 1869. ABRAUAM LincoLN, President. Axprew Jounsoy, Vico President, COUNTING THE VOTES. : January 27, 1865, jubmitted the following resolution, ed and agreed to: committee, consisting of thr by the Presidout of the Senate, tw join such as inay be appointed by the House of Represen- tu mode ot examining the t sident of the United States, nd of notifying the persons choseu of their election, The Vick Presipent appointed Mr. Trumbull, Mr, Conness and Mr. Wright tho committee on the part of the Senate, Jaxvary 30, 1865, A message trom the House of Kepresentatives an- rounced that the House had concurred in the lorego- ing resolution, and bad appointed Mr. Stevens, Mr. E, 3B, Wushburne, Mr. Mallory, Mr. H. Winter Davis and Mr. Cox the committee on its part, ADDITION TO THE JOINT RULES. Feurvary 6, 1865, Mr, TrumBuLt, from tho joint commitiee, reported the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to:— Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representa- tives concurring therein, That the following be added to the joint rules of the two houses, namely :— ‘Tho ‘two houses shall assemble in the Hall of the House of Ropresentatives, at the hour of oue o'clock P. M., on the second Wednesday in February next suc- ceeding the meeting of the electors of President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of the Senate shall be their presiding officer, One teller shall be appointed on the part of the Senate, and two on the part of the House of Representatives, to whom shall be handed, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, the certificates of the electoral votes; and suid tellers, having read the same in the presence and bearing of the two houses then assem- Mr. Trumev! Which was con’ Died, shall make a list of votes as they shall appear from the said certilicates; and the votes having been counted, the result of tne same shall be delivered to the President of tho Senate, who shal! thereupon announce the state of the vo and the names of the persons, if any, elected; which anuouncement shall be deemed a sufficient declaration ot the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States, and, together with the list of votes, be entered on the Journals of the two houses. It, upon the reading of any such certitcate by the tellers, any question shall ariso im regard to counting the votes therein certified, the same having been stated by the presiding officer, the Senate shall thereupon withdraw, and said question shall be submitted to that voay for its‘uecision: and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall in like manner submit said ques- tion to the House of Representatives for its decision; dno question shalt be decided affirmatively, and no vote objected to shail be counted exvept by the con- current votes of the two houses, which being ob- tained, the two kouses shail immediately reas semble, and the presiding officer shall then aunounco tho decision of the question submitted; and upon any such question there shall be no debate in either house, And any other question pertinent to the object for which the two houses ure assembled may be submitted and determined in like manner. At such joint meeting of the two houses seats shall be provided as followe:—For the President of the Sea- ale, the Speaker's chair; tor the Speaker, a chair im- mediately upon his lett; tor Senators, tn. ‘the body of the hall upon the right of the prosiding officer; tor the Representatives, 1n the body of the bail not occupied by the Senators; tor the tellers, Secretary of the Sen- ‘ate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, at the Clerk’s desk; lor the other ollicers of the two houses, in front of the Clerk’s desk and upon eituer side of the Speaker’s plattorm. Such joiut meeting shall not be dissolved until the electoral votes are all counted and the result declared, and uo recess shall be taken unless a question shull huve arisen 1n regard to the counting of any such votes, in which case it shall be competent for either house, acting separately in the manner hereimbefure provided, to direct a recess not beyond the next day, at ive hour of one o'clock P, M. Frurvany 7, 1865, A message from the House of Representatives an- nounced that the House had concurred in the forego- ing resolution creating an additional joint rule, pre- seri the rules of proceeding in opening the certiti- cates and counting the votes tor President aad Vice- President. Frurvary 8, 1865. A message from the House of Representatives an- nounced that the House was ready to receive the Sen- ate in its chamber for the purpose of opening the cer- Ulicates aud counting the votes for President and Vice- President of the United States. ‘The Senate thereupon proceeded to the chamber of the House of Represeutatives, and, the two houses of Congress being there assembled, tho certiticates of the electors of the several States for Prezident and Vice President of the United States were, in their presence, opened by the Vice President and delivered to the teliers, who, having read and ascertained the number ol votes, presented to the Vice Presideat a list thereot, ‘The whole number of the electors appointed to vote for President und Vice President of the United States is 283, of which @ majority 18 117, The state of the vote for President of the United States, us delivered by the tellers, is:—For Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, 212; for George B. McClellan, of New Jersey, 21. And the utate of the vote for Vice President of the United States, as delivered vy the tellers, ‘For An- drew Jonson, of Tennessee, 212; for George H. Pen- dieton, of Ohio, 21. Whereupon the Vick Presipent declared that Abra- ham Lancoin, of Illinois, having received a majority of the Whole number of electoral votes, is duly elected President of the United Staves for four years, com- mencing on the 4th day of March, 1865 And that Androw Jobneon, ot Tennessee, having re- ceived a majority of the whole number of elecvoral votes, is duly elected Vice President of the United States for four years, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1865. The Vick Presipent then announced that the busi- ness for which the two houses were assembled was tine ished; and the Senate returned to ite chamber, Mr. Tremsuut, trom the joint committee, reported the following resolution, which was consulered and agreed to:— Resolved, That a committee of one member of the Senate be appointed by that body, to Juin a committee of two mem: bers of the House of Representatives, to be appuinted by that house, tu wait on Avrabam Lincoln, of Minois, and. to notity him that he has been duly elected President of the United States for four years, commencing with the ath of March, 1865; and aiso to notily Andrew Jobuson, of Ten- nessee, that be hus been duly elected View President of the United States for four yenrs, commencing with the 4th day of Mureh, 1¢ Tho Vick Presipeyt appoiptea Mr. Trumbull the Committee on the part of the Senate, Fennvary 13, 1865, A message from the House of Represrntatives an- nounced that the House had agreed to the toregoing resolution, and bad appointed Mr, James F. Wilson aud Mr. James L. Dawson the committee on tts part, ‘THR DISCUBSION, Mr. TucrMay, (dem,) of Ohio, sald he had seen many inaccurate statements on this subject prepared by otuers. He had great confidence in the abliity of the Chief Clerk, but he would like to gee and examine the compilation for himself before authorizing its distribu tion among the peoplo, He had no objection to print. ing the usual number of copies, but was opposed to printing extra copies now. Mr. Hamuin, (rep, Me., concurred in the views expressed vy Ue Senator trom Obie (Mr, Thurman). Mr, Morton then modified bis motion to provide that, 1,600 copies be printed for the use of the Senate. joved that 8,500 extra copies be printed for uch motion to be referred to the commit. tee When appointed, Mr. SPENCER, (rep.) of Alg, introduced a Dill to es- tablish the Territory of the Black Hills and provide for the temporary government thereot, Laid on the table until courmittees shall be appointed. . INVESTIGATING THK LATE RLROTION, pNS, (rep.) oF Vi, moved to take up for Hou the redviution submitted by him yester- day ordering an inquiry mto the date election in South viina, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama. Mr, Bayarn, (dem.) of Del, said the subject mattor to which his’ resolutions relate was of the greatest importance bo our system of government, as they not ouly touched forms of repubiican government in vari- ous Stutus, bat also proposed to inquire as to the eligibility of Presigential electors. He would be glad 10 have a (ull diseugsion of tue orgin pow Which It Was proposed that this comiitiee should act. He hyped the Sovator trom Vermont (Mr. Edimunas) woaid aliow the resolatien to pass over | for the present, as (here wero many Senators who de- sired to be beard upon 1, and some time should be given for preparativn for thy discussion. Me. Epwesos said personally it woula give him greut pleasure to nccede to the request ot his frend Irvin Delaware, bal (ue condition of pubic aflairs was such (bat Une inquiry proposed by the resolution it 876.—QUADRUPLE SHEET. and be printed with the changes made, over. upon it to-day, iny | aoder | | the first part of the {uiry proposed in other quarters he thousbt, sho Sen: qal mm other ry - ato of the United States would bo wanting in its duties it it spent much time in discussing this question in ad- vance of the report of the committee. Mr. Bavarp said it was perfectly plain that this reso- lution opened up auew the relations of certain States to the fed Unio It opened up anew the powers of Congress to make inquiry into the domestic affairs of States. He then reviewed the provisions of the reso- lution and denied that the Senate had any power to make the inquiry. He quoted from the constitution in sup- port of bis views, and, resuming, said in every State of this Union votes were both received and ngtully. Errors were committed, poi: crys their votes Ce a by sna, ® pecun! nature, by the promise of office or nies All these things had occurred ‘apa would occur again, and 1! the Senate should assert the power asserted in this resolution there would be nO end to interminable inquiries by Congress into the domestic affairs of States 1¢ was not within ¢ Spirit or meaning of our form of government tor Con- gress to exercise any such power, and the Senate should pause before committing itself to this reéolu- Hon, It invitedthe Senate to a never-ending task— the settlement of contested election in cases of Prosi- dent and Vice President, Representatives in Congress, executive and judicial officers of States and members of State Legislatures. Tho exercise of such power was incompatible with the periormance of the constitutional duty of Senators. He thought the roso- lution was a coniession of the worthlesstess of Con- gressional action doring the last eleven years in re- gard to the States named in tt. Mr. Morton, of Indiana, raised the point that the constitutional power of Congress or the merits of the yesiition could not be discussed on a motion to take it up. ‘The point was sustained by the Chair. Mr. Bayano replied that he did uot mean to discuss the merits of the resolution, ‘The motion being to take up the resolution, 1 was apreed to—yeas 3Y, nays 22—a strict party vote. Mr. Epmunps then moditied his resolution 60 as to authorize the committee to extend its tuquiry te the election of 1874 1m the States named as well as to clections of 1375 and 1876, He also made other amend- ments of a Verbul character, and said be was greatly surprised at the views expressed by his honorable iriend from Delaware (Mr. Bayard) touching the reso- lution, He commented on the remarks of tbat Sena. vor and argued that Congress bad power to make the inquiry, The constitution declared that the sentation of a State number of the inhabitants of such State, except when In apy State there was an abridgment of the right to voto, when the representation should be decreased accordingly. Mr. ANTHONY, (rep.) ot R. L., from tho committee to wait upon the President, reported that they had dis- charged that duty, and the President replied that he we with Congress in writing fortn- Atl:10 P. M., U. S. Grant, Jr., private secretary of the President, delivered the Message. Mr. Epaunos, resuming bis remarks, said be wished he could belicvo that the report of the committeo would show that in every State the rightol every citi- zen to vote had been free and unabridged, The way to ascertain the trath. in the interest of liberty and law was to order the inquiry. It was ft that the Senate of the United States, the representatives of all the States, should ascertain what the real condition of alfairs in those Stutes was. As to the last resolution, in regard to the ehgibility of electors, he bad seea it stated in newspapers, and be beheved it to be true, that steps were to be taken to question the eligibility of electors, and he thought the question should be setticd, He argued that the resolution did not commit the Senate to any particuiar doctrine, On motion of Mr. Coxkiina, the resolution was laid aside for the present, and the Message of the Presi- dent was taken up and read. TUX PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, Tho reading ot tho Messsge was commenced at twenty minutes past one o'clock by Secretary Gorham and concluded at two o’cleck, 1t was ordered that it be printed, with the accom- panying documents, and the usual motion to print extra copies was entered, to be hereaiter relerred to the Cominitiee on Printing. Mr. Wirukns, (dem.) of Va, submitred a resolution Tequesting the President to inform the Senate, it not incompatible with the pubiic. interest, under what authority and for what purpose troops of the United States occupied Petersvurg, Va., ou the 7th day of Novomber, 1376, the day of the eleciton. Objection was made by Mr. Edmunds, and the reso- lution was laid over, Mr, TuurMan suggested that the resolution of the Senator from Vermont im regard to the inquiry in various Soutnern Stutes. be laid over until to-:norrow, Mr, EDMUNDS said he could not consent to it going He felt it to be his duty to ask the Senate to act Air, TuurMay, of Ohio, Said the Senator from Ver- mont had argued that the adoption of this resolution would pot commit the Senate to any particular doc- trme or dogma. He (Sir, Thurman) denied this, and argued that it did comm the Senate. He contended that there had been no viol: tion of the constitution of the United stat by uny of the States named in the resotution, These States gave the suffrage to everybody, and nothing in the constitution of wither of statutes oblized that suilrage. em or in any of their Under recen: end~ Meuts to the constitution, Wose States could have pro- scribed property or educational qualifications to ex- clude the colored man from tue bailotibox, but did not do so, It was enid that this inquiry could be set on foot. 1t wus entirely outside of the constitution and based alone on newspaper articles. Mr, EpMoNbs said the Jaws and’ starntes 6f several ‘States did operate to deny sullrage. HURMAN denied that there was uny such law in either of the States, and the Senator (Mr, Edmunds) could pot producegapy such statute, The laws of those States acted alike on both white and colored voters, Who had possession of South Carolina and Louisiana since the war’ The repuolican party. Who had pos- session of Alabama until within the last two years? ‘The republican party, Yet tt was claimed the rigats of the colored voter had been abridged. The wtent of this resolution was simply to go into the question of inmidation and furnigh a Satisiactory reason tor these returning boarus throwing out yotes aud electing other men than those chosen by the people, six States were involved in this resolution. Why did not the Senator (rom Vermont extend i everywhere? Had he never beard of the employés in the great manul: tories benig marched off to the polls and made to voto ag their employers, who stood at the window, dic- tated ¥ Mr. Eomunps—I never heard of but one instance of that kind, and that was the case of a democratic manu- Jucturer im Couvecticut, who made his employés yore the democratic ticket. Mr. TuuRMaN—Then the Senator is the most ignorant man Who lives in New Engiand, (Luughter.) Resuming his argument Mr. Thurman said that the Comtuitices ou Privileges and Elections was composed Of nine members, and 1t was impossible for that com- mitlee, sitting in Washington, to make the investiga- tion and report by February,’ The committee can, he suid, take depositivns; but .who is to be served With notice to cross-examine? AS to the last resvlution regarding tle engibiiy of electors he said be was nut sure he could not support it, but desired ume to study it It the returning buards of the South had good cause to throw out votes and override the will of tue people he wanted ft shown, and if it could not be sbhowa he wanted their villany exposed, He Wanted the tacts wo be known, Mr. Komunbs, in reply to « question of Mr. Tharman, Said he would uot iztorm the Senator from Ohio us to which States had abridged U rigbt of suffrage by statute, inasmuch as he (Mr, Edmunds) bad been set Gowh as the most ignorant man ia New Bagland, I his trieud (Mr. Thurman), the most learued man in Olio, would study the constitution and Inwa of the United States he would bad out something to his a vantage. Mr. Kdwunds, further replying to Mr, Thur- Man, argued that the artisans and operators of New Kugland are men of intelligence, mep of edugation, of property, of inaependence, of self-respect, afd it was even more than a Very bardy mau, indeed, who even ventured to suggest to his empioyés bow they should exercise the right of suffrage. The artisans and operators ‘of New &ngland were men who built churches and school houses and some- umes carried their knowledge, energy and industry to the Western country—even to Ohio, (Laughter.) He argued that the whvie object of this resolution Was to correct an evil and fix the representation in tho next House of Kepresentutives, It had vothing to do with the Presidential election, Mr. Morton said the preamble of the resolution re- cited one provision of the Fourtecuth amendment If (he preamble sould be cus off, no one would deny the power of the Sen + to make the inquiry, He then read the resolutwa udupied by the House of Repre- sentatives yesterday, and argued that Wf it was legtti- tate for @ democratic House of Representatives to muke sich an inquiry, it certainly was competent for a republican Senate to thing. Mr. BAYARD said tor many ycars past he bad be- Neved that the pewee of the country anu the tranquillity which tho constitution of the United States imtended to protect hud all been threatened by ws pageea by the Congress of the United Staves, He argaed that Con- giess had no right to uvdertake the control of the several Siaes, He had come to this session of Congress more soriwusly impressed with the presence of Overlanging dangers to our form of goverument (han ever belure, aud he had come convinced thatit was bisduy to oppose, successiully of unsuccesstully, this consolt- dated march which the repablean party bad set on foot, He proposed to stand by the strict construction oi tho constitution, and denied that in any of the Southern States there bad been diserimination against voters on account of race, ot color, by any law or statute of such States, There was coming to this Sen- aio and to this people atime when their love of law would be tested, and he proposed to stand upon that law and let the consequences take care of themselves, The duty of Seuators was, not as party men, not as democrars or republicans, but as Americans, to do ail in their power to uphold’ the constitution ‘as handed dowa to us by our latuers, and not Underiake the sot- Uement of questions not confided to the Senate or to Congress by the coustitation, Gn motion of Mr. Wayre, (dem.) of Md., it was ordered that the resolutions of Mr. Edmunds be voted Qpon separately. He said he would vos against the first three resolutions because he accepted the decision ot the Supreme Court of the United States in construing tho fourteenth amendment, In regara to the recent election in some of the States, he was favor of immediate and prompt action, and be pro- posed to offer a substitate which would cause a thorough scrutiny of the election in those States, Mr, Menkiaoy, (dem.) of N. C., submitted an amend- mentto the trst resolution providing that the com: mitteo shall be confined to the inquiry whether she Tight of any person to voto has been denied or abridged by the constitution or the laws of said States, Kejected—yeas 24, nays 30—a strict party vote, Mr. Booy, (dew.) of Mo,, moved so strike out the preamble, Rejected, Mr. MeDonap, (dom.) of Ind., moved to strike out reambic rr, to the four. teeu4 amendment. jected—yeas, 21; days, 40. ‘The drst resolution, authorizing the committee to ingu.fe into the elections im South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana for the | syivania; Mr. MeMabon, Obie for the last resolution, , $$$ years 1874, 1875 and 1876 was then agreed to by a vote Of 41 to 25, being a party vote, " The second resolution, authorizing the employment of sti bavi ane empowering the com: ae, a outa a vision, ; papers, &c., was agreed to wit! e third resolution in regard also agreed to, 6 SUPSTITUTS OF MR. WHYTE. Mr. Wayre, of Maryland, then submitted the follow: ing az a substitute for the resolution of Mr. Ed munds:— positions wi Asolect committee of nine members of ited to investizate the recent elections ‘bh Carolina, Florida and Loui: and returning bourds ih seid States in in the states of the action of th mee thereto, and to report wll the facts essential to am the votes recvived by the electors President ‘und Vico President of the ether the suid States are entitled to be considered in the count of the electoral votes uf the States; jor the e ol o ‘ ittes shall have piwer to soud lor porsous aud. pavers, to administer oaths, @ testimony, and, at thelr discre- tion, to detull sub-commitiees with ‘Itke huthority to send for perso: apers, bo admiuister ouths aud to take tes- timony, and ssid committee und sab-committees are cm- powered Bey irterpeey rs, clerks and messen; aud shull be aitended by a t-at-arms; that the said committes be and reby Instructed to in- quire into the eligibility to office wi the const tution of the United States of any person alleged to have been ineligible on the 7th day of Novem| last or to be ineligible as electors of President and Vieo President of the United States, to whom certiticates of elee tion have been, or shall be issued, by the executive author. ity of any State us such electors, aud whether the appoint. ment of electors or those claiming to be such, tu any of the States bas been made either by Joree, fraud or other means otherwise than in contormity with’ the constitution and laws of the United States and the laws of the respective nd whether any such appointment or the activa of any such elector has been tu wnywise uncgustivutioually or unlawtully interfored with. Alter some discussion the substitute was rejected without division, ‘The question being on the last resolution of Mr, Ed- mounds, regarding the eligibility of electors, it was agreed to—yeus, 48; nays, 11. Messrs. Uockréll, Me- Donald, Randolph, Ransom and Wallace voting in the ailirmative with the republicans, ‘The preamble was then agreed to. Mr. Edmunds gave notice that he would move to take up to-morrow the joint resolution respecting the method of counting and deciding the electoral vote for President und Vice President of the United States ro~ ported by the Committee on Privileges and Electio in May last, He gve notice of ub amendment he would offer, aud it was ordered that it be printed. Mr. Mernimoy, of North Carolina, introduced a bill to alter tue times prescribed for holding the election for President and Vice Present and counting the vote in the Electoral College, which was ordered to be printed and referred to the Committee on Privileges aud Elections, when appointed, ‘The bill provides that the Revised Statutes shall be amended so that tho election for President and Vi President ehall be held in October, and that the Eler tora! College shall meetin the January following. ‘The Senate then, at twenty-minutes past four P, My adjourned, United state: MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasuinatoy, Dee. 5, 1876, Timmediately after the reading of the journal Mr, Puaistxp, of Maine, rising to a privileged question, as sertec that in the vote yesterday evening on Mr, Hewitt’s resolution for three select committees for the States of Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina he had dis- tinctly voted in the negative, and had subsequently heard his name read by the Clerk mong those voung in the negative, but that he now found that he was not so recorded In the journal. Inasmuch as the counting of this vote would have defeated the resolution (the two-thirds majority bav- ing only been gained by @ tie—156 to 78) any change of the journal which would affect the result was opposed by Mr. Hotacay, of Indiana, and other democrats, On the roe port of the Clerk it was stated by the Speaker that the journal was correct and that Mr, Plaisted’s vote had not been heard, 1t was contended on the other hand by Mr. Banks, Mr. Kasson and other republicans that it was the right of every member to have his name properly recorded in tho journal, and that if that were done and changed the result the consequences had to follow, Mr. Plaisted’s assurance that he had voted was con- firmed by the statement of Mr. Buair, of New Hamp, shire, with the explanation, however, that the answer did not come promptly on the cail of his name, but just ag the next name on the roll, was called or was: about being called. Thero was, therefore, a possibility of error having occurred in that way, but it was posi- tively assorted by Mr. Plaisted that he had subs quently listened With great care to the reading of the vote and had heard his naime called in the lst of nega- tives, Alter considerable discussion Mr. Seecyx, of Massa- chusette, expressed his surprise and indignation at any objection ing raised «as to the vera ot the member. He bimselt bad voted in the affirmative on tho question. He bud desired the La period of these committees, but he would allow, by any action of his oven, righteous ends tv Lo attained vy unrighteous means, He quoted from Cushing’s Parhamentary Law te show that the record should be corrected, even where the correction would change the result, Mr. Kassox, (rep.) of Lowa, sent to the Cierk’s doek and had read au extract trom the House journal of 1849 bearing on the case, and showing that when Dill had been passed ou a Saturday the journal bad beon corrected on the followiug Monday, aod the bill had been deleated. Mr. Houman (dem.) of Ind., asserted (to the great amusement of the republican side of the house) that there was po possible parallel between the two cases, The Srkaker—The judxment of the Chair ta very clear un the point that the ouvject of a record 18 to have A correct record, and thereture the Speaker betiev that the motion to correct the journal ts in urder, and Tules that the vote must be recorded, A SUCRT-LIVED TRIUMPH, The triumph of the republican side o1 the House ovos this decision of the Sponker wus Uus momenuary, tot immediately Mr, FuLuK:, of Indiana, arose on ‘the democratic side of the House and said that he had yos- terday voted in the atlirmative on tue same resolution, He bad afterward come uown to the Clerk's des and ascertuined that he had been so recorded, but sow jound that his vote did not appear ou the Jousnai. ‘The statement of Mr. Puller was contirnied in all the particulars vy Mr. Hitn, of Georgia, und the journal Was again corrected. — * Phe SPEAKKR Wen stated that If the vote had beea correctly stated yesterday it would have siood 157 te 79, and the Speaker would then, exercising his consti. tutional right, huve voted in the affirmative, thus carrying the motion, He now proposed, as a solution ‘of the difficulty, that the vote should be agam taken. To this proposition there way genvral assent on the republican siae of the House, the only exception being ou the part of Mr, Banks, of Massuchugets, who vb- jected, but unmediately afterward withurew his objeo on. At the same time the Sreakke altered tis view, and announced that he would now exercise his right te He supposed that the geutieman from Magsa- chusetts (Mr. Banks) would admit his right to du so, Mr, BANKS! do; there can be no douvt about it. The Sreaksr—Then | exercise that right, and cast my vote iv the afirmative, (Loud appmuse on the democratic side and corresponding depression on the republican sice,) Mr, Concer, (fep.) of Mich,—Not another republican Agrees With the gentieman ftom Massachusetts (Mr, Banks) or with the Chair--not one. Tho SrkakKR—The Chair is very sorry to disagroe with the geutleman from Michigan, (Laughter, ) Mr. Concke—I think the Chair is mot sorry to dis- agree with ino 10 this matter. The Sveakex—The Chate does mot think that any action of tbe Chair to-day warrants the reflection which the gentleman bas made, cither on its motives or decisions. — Me. Coscer—The Chair proposed, as a soluuon of the difficulty, that anew vote be takeu. Larose in my place, alter consultation with thoze around me, and, oo behalf of this side of the House, assented to tnat proposition, Immodiately thereupon tue Chair took anotver course und made @ new ruling in taver of his partisan side. 1, therefore, made the remark which I aid and Was justitied in it. The Srxakke—The Chair desires to say that, as a matier of luct, all his decisions to-day have been on the side of the minority, and he was therefore greatly surprised to bear a gentieman from that side reflecting on bim. The Chair states in all fravkness thal, atter making the proposition which be did, he was reminded that he had a constitutional right which be mignt ex- ereise, und love 4 Uhat right he did exercise it, Mr, Covoxn—That is the very thing of which I com. plain. (Laughter.) . She upshot ot the whole matter, therefore, is that the resolution for the appototment of turee committees: remains in fore TUR LATR SPRAKER KERR. Mr. Hamtirox, idem.) of fnd., then offered bis reso- lution, assigning Saturday, the’ 16th of December, tor the presentation of suitible resolutions on the death ot ‘he late Xpeaker Kerr and the expression by tho members of the estecm in which he was held ‘or hia unblemished character apd eminent public services. Adopted, Tho SpxakeR then presented the Prosident’s Annual Message, which was thereupon read by the Clerk. On motion of Mr. Woon, (dem.) of N. Y., the Mes- sage and accompanying documents were ordered to be printed forthwith to pamphict torm, and were reterred tw the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, The Speaker announced the following select com- mittees :— ‘\ COMMITTEES ON THE DOURTPUL STATES, Louisiana—Mr. Morrison, Illinois; Mr Jenks, Penn- ; Mr. Lynde, Wisconsin Mr. Blackburn, Kentucky; Mr. Meaue, New York; Mr. House, Tennessee; Mr. Phelps, Connecticut; Mr. New, Indians; Mr, Ross, New Jersey; Mr. Towaseud, Poune sylvan; Mr, Dantord, Ubio; Mr. Huribat, limos; Mr. Crapo, Massuchusetts, and Mr. Joyce, Vermont, Ow Florida—slessrs. Toumpson, Massachusetts; Dew bolt, Misgouri; W. U Hopkins, Peunsy! ‘anim; Gare field, Obio, and Dooncl, Minaesota, On the South Caroliva Committee the name of Mr. Cochrane, evnsyivania, was substivuted tor that uf Mr. Stenger, Pennsyivania, excused on account of ill- ness in bis family. Mr. LawRexck, (top.) of Olio, nsked tenve to offer a resolution designed to Beeure equal eehool privileges bag baer chitdren, but objection was made, he House then, at twenty minutes to three, ad+ journed, af OCEAN MAILS. The steamer Montana, which left this port yesterday for Liverpool, took out 41 letter bags, containing 26,872 ord 1d 856 registered letters, pst hs poet § and 356 reg! and 46 Lage