The New York Herald Newspaper, February 28, 1877, Page 3

EIGHT 10 SEVEN. South Carolina Disposed Of by the Usual Vote, THE END APPROACHING. . The Democratic Objections to the Hayes Electors. No Registration, Use of Troops and Intimidation. MORTON'S RECONCILING ORDERS. An Impassioned Appeal from Hon. Jere Black. Wasutnatox, Feb, 27, 1877. Almost universal surprise was occasioned here to- day when, at ten minutes past one, the Electoral Com- mussion, ufter baviug heard argument for only three hours, cleared the room of spectators and went into Secret session on the South Carolina case, It was evi- dent when the commission opened at ten o’clock that the intorost in the proceedings bad greatly diminished, There was no crowd of any magnitude about, and though the room gradually filled the same striving to obtain ingress was not noticed. When Mr, Justice Clifford asked who would appear as Counsel on the democratic side Mr, Cochrano sald that hone would appear. Alterward, however, tho Hon. Jeremiah 8. Black was announced as the counsel who would address the commission. Mr, Justice Clifford then invited the objectors to cer- tificate No. 1 to express their objections, SPERCH OF MR. UURD, Mr. Hurd, as objector, then proceeded to submit the Teasons why he thought the commission should reject Cortiticate No. 1, He sald he would not go over any ground that had been contested or anything that had been decided by the commission, He would confine bimsel! to what he considered new points, He would, in support of the first objection—that the government of tho State was not republican in form—not go back ofthe Reconstruction acts or the events which tol- lowed, but confine himself to the few months that pre- ceded the election. He went into an inquiry as to what constituted a tepublican form of government and the relative duties of the federa! and State governments, and holding ‘nat it only could be republican that gave the people afreeand fair opportunity to express their will in the Selection of their rulers, Whatever prevented a irce expression of the will of the people, to the extent that it operated so far destroyed the republican character of the government, If legal disabilities were imposed or If intimidation was practised the Republic was not maintained, They proposed to show by the testimony taken by tho House Committee that colored men in South Carolina were intimidated by other Colored men; that they wore whipped and driven from tho polls, or democratic tickets taken from them und the republican tickets put in their hands and they forced to vote them. ‘They proposed to show that thero were colorea rifle clubs which were not disbanded tn accordance with the proclamation of the President, and they proposed to show by the proc- Jamation of the ident a short tine Lotore the elec. there was an insurrection in the State which ‘was not put down at the time of the election, but at that time required the presence of thirty-two compa- nies of troops to prevent an outbreak. Would the commission receive the testimony which would shew conclusively that anarchy, prevailed in that State on the day of election? In sho case of Missouri and Indiana when they came into the Union and when the States came back under tho Reconatriction acts it had been held that Congress hud the Liye to inquire whether there Wasa stato as re- Ee by the constitution; and this, ho said, was the quiry to which be desired to direct the at the commission, and asked that they admit evi show that anarchy prevailed, and heuce there was. no government, Mr, Hurd held that as the constitution of the State required u registration of electors and that require- ment was utterly ignored the election was void. ‘THE PRESENCE OF TKOOFS. He next went to tne objection thut the presence of United States troops in the State overawed the people and provented a free expression of the will of the people, Ho read the prociamation of the President of October 17, 1876, declaring that insur- Tection oxisted in the State, and contended that the clause of tho constitution authorizing the interlerence of the federal government contemplated an insurrec- tion against, or resistance to, State authority, and not disturbances between individual citi- zens of the State, Rifle clubs, riding up and down, murdering peaceable citizens, us Stated in the President’s proclamation, be argued, fid not amount to such an insurrection against the United States or the State authorities as warranted an intervention in affuirs of the State, The cail of the bovernor, moreover, was, imed, not in accord. ance with the constitution, and the troops were in the NEW if the lawlessness which existed in the * ons the repepiican electors secured ‘s tn Sun) votes: In that cqynection the speaker called attention to volume L., section 1, of Blackstone, page 173. THE REPUBLICAN ARGUMENT. Mr. Lawrenge commeuced the argument for the Hayes objectors at five minutes past eieve lock, with an effort to show that the waut of « ravion act did got affest the election, He contended thay the constitution of the United States gave the power to the Leguslature of the State, and that (he constitution of the state could put vo restrictions upon (Lis consti- tutional graut to the Legislature of the state He went into a brief argument next to show that tho form of govermment in South Carolina was republi- can, The thira objection, that troops had been stationed in the State without authority of law, was untrue im fact, and if not so it must be presumed that the officers of the eruipent understood and executed the laws. In relation to the presence of United States marshals at the polix, be said the constitution yave to Congress the power to enforce its provisions, and if the evi- dence was to be admitted there would be abundance of proof to show the presence of these men was neces- gary. It must be presumed, in the absence of prool to the contrary, thas the officers bad done sbeir auty. In reply to the fifth objection, that there bad been no republican form of government trom January 1, 1876, to December 10, 1876, be cited authorities to show tbat the history of the State must be accepted as evidence of an established republican form of govern- ment Mr, Lawrence closed at a quarter to twelve, and Sen- ator Christiancy waived his rigat to be heard as an objector. SPKECH OF MONTGOMERY ULAIR, Mr, Blair said they would offer to prove that, owing to violence and intimidation und the po {full and tair election by the people, The drst point on which be proposed to lay stress was the absence of any registration of the voters, The constitution of the State “was imperative and suid there ‘shall’? be provisions wade for 4 registration of quali+ fied voters over twenty-one years of age. He contended that there was nothing ip the con- stitution of the Unwed States that made tho Legislature of a State paramoant to the constitution of the Stata)=sdIt:s was true that the Legislature of a State was an agent of the United States, but it could not OXercise its power 10 Violution of the wuthority that created the Legislature. He charged that this was an open, palpable violation of the constitution, notoriously done to perpetuate fraud, It was nu his- torical fuck to Which the commission could not shut its ey! Would tits tribunal, pow shat it has the power to crush it, let fraud triumph ? He next pussedto the use of the military inthe State, whieh, he said, was just and gafiicient ground to throw aside the vote of the State, ‘[his, bo said, war done by proclamation and known to all men that the troops were used to contro! the election. Was tie Judgment of tho President of the United States, acting, us he publicly declared, as the representauve of u party, tovetaken ug tinal? He contended that the ‘uct Was illegal and should be looked into iu that light by the commission. THR RECONSTRUCTON ACTS, Mr. Blair went back to the Reconstruction acts, charging that the republican party had uvowedly vio- Jated the constitution and the law, and he insisted that the present was bat a continuation of a long hine of ucts by thas party encrouching upon the rights and liberties of the people, He maintained that Congress had taken notice of the condition of the States in the South, and th: the representatives of Congress this commission must take notice of what had been done in South Carolia in connection with the eloction, tu minor contested election cases wherever there was violence of traud the votes at the polls where such occurred were thrown out, and why should uot the rule apply inagreut national contest? The rebels were not allowed to vote, und why should these votes cast under imiitary duress be counted ? He contended that ever since the war Congress bad exercised the mght to look into the conuition of the States, and in the exercise of this power States had been excluded, and Louisiana had not been permitted to vote since the war until the other day, Under tho most rigid construction the commission could not ig- nore tho prociamation of tne President that insurrec- tion existed in the State of South Carolina when a con- dition of affairs existed that required a deputy marshal to every ten negroes to take them up between the soldiers and awenr them to voto the whole ticket and thea march them to'the pelis and see that they vote in tho presence of the troops, When all this was necessary to carry the State by less than 1,100 majority ‘was 1t Dot a condition of things that Congress could inquire into? Mr. Blair occupied forty-Gve minutes, leaving an hour and a quarter jor Judge Biack. Mr. Lawrence and counsel on the other side, in view of the brevity uf the time, had concluded to submit the case without argument. Mr. Bayard said the offers ot proof bad not been printed, and moved that they be pripted for the con- venience of the cominission, Ho understood they could be printed in an hour, Tho order was made, SPRKCH OF MR. BLACK, Mr, Black, he bad no time to consider the case. ‘The Court knew us much about it as be did. It was his idea that a counsel should speuk only to assist the Court in. coming to @ conclusion, and when he could not do that ne sbould take bis seat, With much feel- ing be said bo felt that ho had lost much of tho dignity of un American citizen, und that this great mation bad got its foot in a crack from which it could not be extricated, Ifa torlorn hope could go out to avert this zreut calamity he would gladly load it. He did not know bow be would fuel if called upon to'lay down bis life, but if he could with bis life redeem tho nation fi the infamy with which it was \eovered ht kad ‘bis lle as treely as he would go to bis bed, = ODjections bad been presented here which to him appeared insuperable, — but. it might be he in common with millions of others had been wrought up to a state of fecling that mude bis vision loss clear, aud things appear to them diflerent than they did to culiner por- sons. Ho went into an examination of the details in South Carolina, brauching off ut intervals into similar struins of complaint uguinst the action of tho commis- siov, He argued that the certificate of the electors ‘was not—us by a misuse of langunge it bad come to be designated—a return but a mere certificate waoich could be inquired into, ‘They retused to go back of the certificute, and, in tact, did not go back to it, If they would go back to it they wouid find that the certificates Were not what waa required, He said that less than a year ago one of the Senators now on this tribunal bad uttacked Mr. Jefferson because of an alleged (although untrue) informulty in the elecioral vote of Georgia, und he asked if the name of Thomas Jefferson is to go down to posterity with infamy what would be dove with those who count this return, which hus no formality about it, which leaves out all that ought to be certi- fied. A million of white people were crying out, and more than a quarter of a million of all classes and sexes, regardless of race, color or previous condition of servitude, were crying out against another servie State on the day of the election unconstitutionaliy, e| The troops were at the polls, bot to keep the peace, Due ps pte Oe ft RY dhe theactice Jo influence the election,’ They were prepared to | [OWIer, aid, uot Bit iN Mee te teen show that, by this military iterierence, iutinidation | © Dihecnrenthes UC aidiecbints.. Hes did. por was yractised that produced a resuls ditterent | SProad in the presence of ail she binds, | He did pot Irom what ft Woukl “have “boc “had tne | complain. ‘They were now told, and he hoped the troops not been present, In England the presence of the military at the polls was never known, History showed that despotism had advanced and (he Kepublic receued in exact rativ to the relaxation of the watch- fuiness of the people and the abatement of their jeal- ousy of the encroachments of the military on tue civil power of tho government, He hoped this military encroachment in South Carolina might not be wade the first step in that direction in our own country Mr. Cochrane stated that Judge Glack and Mr. Blair Would appear as counsel for the objectors to certiticate No.1. They had been uncertain whother they could atiend, but were now here. THE DEMOCRATIC OFFER, Mr. Cochrane then submitted certain proffers of pro! which he proposed to make good if admitted by boe commission, as tollows:— promise would be kept—he saw no talse pretences in i—tbat we were Dow to have a government that would regurd the rights of the States, [t was said that tho States would have their autonomy. The same things wore promised by Turkey, ‘That government promised that should lave their the people natural judges—that Christian communites should have Christian judges and Mohammedan — peo- ple Mohammedan judges. It was promiacd that inferior officers should not be excused from crimes under plea of orders from torr superiors, and that if a mmMitary officer sent into the provinces was guilty of murder he could not shield bimself un- der the order of the goverument. They offer us now, he said, everything but one. There is one thing they will not speak ubout, ‘There 1s one thing they will not promise us. They will not promise not to cheat us hereulter, If they would do that we could feel pretty No. 1. It is proposed to prove by competent evidenes the | well satisied, following facts, which suid iucte ure otfored separately and | “Judge Black sald ho never expected to see another a whole :— First—Tuat by reson of tho failure und ‘refusal of the | election, He cared not to ask how the people bad ex. Legisinture of South Carolina to provide for the registration Of electors us required by article 8, section %, of the consti- tution of sald State, and by reason’ uf the acts passed by said Legistature in violation of the spirit of said con: titution, grent frauds were perpetrated by colored republican voters — Kt lest 1,000 Llegul votes tor the Hayes electors, which, Deing excluded, would give the majority to the ‘iden clue: ors Necont—That tinmedintely after the sajournment of Con- reas—to wit, in the month of Au 1Wib—n larxe nun er of United States solulers under the commend of Gen al Ruger, were sent by the President into said State; at on Uctober 16 General Ruger telegraphed to. the Suthorities ug Washington that all was quiet: that there was uo ueed tor Jurther troops; that if he deemed a tur- ther force necessary he could enll tor the sane; that he never did cull tor and’ that ow October 17 the President I deetar- dng that opie of suid Sta ine Burreetion, nnd that immediately th of United Btutes soldiers were went int ho time prior to the Inst ed dute w dition of viovences or insurrection whieh the State control; that at me tine durin, your 1876 ww state ‘of uifair in south Caroline ay justitied the intervention of the tederal yovern- ere & cone uthorities of | ps were sent into sald State without any | ture thereot, althoogh the same could ly couvened, Hat the troops wo tho purpose of quelling insur pee id goud order, but tor the pirpove and with the dew eTAWINg the Voters of suid State ; thut said troop: were sti oued ator near the Hix on eleetion duy, and that their y of election, did bat obstruct the popuime will and said State, not for wid troops served toembolden sured by the party tere for che 4 of violence Bufo end Lawl lie evni minvic tecring the throuzhout lw © ry als incited them to ime; that wurder was committed, and the pe re AHlOWoU To escape Punishment: thet ju to Isto warrants OF arrest for the crin.@ of murder, aud steritl warrants if insted; that the pole Charleston ved almicat egrons, dite time and being tw. the riety which oeenrred | elvetion « ver ayseinvied ut the polls, und, with rifles aud shotguns and other Weapons, prevented he Who desired so ta de trom voting Ue Uemucratie ticket; that the State wilitia, cumposed of the worst ele= fuels of the Hegre population, supplied with State arms, Was ino Mt the polis ulng and wbetting int Jaw wud tn the tucimidaty Charleston cout Warrant of wushority of fed deputy sherifts, 3 inwuyu- t punlic wit Wy Bxee foree ol tue city of entirely im | | | | | repabiean | vetors, without ted bandreds wt so- nvesting Frets wt thei piewsurey at the various polls ats aud violence did nine that these deputy on election aay Why thie tlie hd prevent many citizens trom voting, end Laprison witnus Warrant many of th tempted tv vote the detioeratic teket; that pe United states deputy om Huis were also stath ned we the ulding vod assisting’ such deputy sheriffs; that out the Ntate the negroes believed tne United Blates suluiers Lad boun sent to stout them tf they did not vote (ie republican ticke ‘Sizth-- Flat siielt Violence wud Lawleswness existed through: | tioned in various parts ¢ pressed their will at the polls, He only wanted to know what kind of rascals they had got for Returning Boards, At ten minutes past one P’, M. the commission went into secret session, butat once took a recess til a quar- ter to two P, M. IN SECRET SESSION. The EB’ ectoral Commision remuined in secret session from a quarter to two tll seven VP, M, Alter the dis- cussion had contiaued three and a hatf hours Mr. Edmunds submitted a motion that voung stould co meuce at six o’clock, This motion wax ayreed to— y 8 7. Alter six propositions were offered and voted on MK MOLTON'# RESOLUTIONS, Mr. Morton then submitted the toliowing:— solved, ‘That in the 6) A i the United States by the other de- vents of the yoverument, has a government republican m. Resolved, That while the existence of pubile rbance | danarchy in any state to such au extent us ae it impossibly tor the State to exercise its rights to appolMt eiectors of Vresident and ident, aud to express will iu thas behalf, cause’ for rojeeting any electoral the votes of elec ot the gi dddoes appar tw the votes for Preside: show that disturbances existed at the tin which may huve interfered to # cronter or lens the freedoi of election at the polls 1 suid State. Kerolved, That it ix not Congress, when assembled ty and Vico President, by takins ev " quire reyitlarity of action of the Presid the Uuited States in sending & military force ito any State for the pressrenti ot or the suppression of imsurrection and domertt violence, in order by sucit prout to lay « ground for rejecting | thy electoral vote of sald State, solved, That i tew of the propositions contained in the three foregoinge resolutions the evidence offered (y show that the State of South Carvlina at the lute election did not have a republican lurm of goverument. ana tue evidence offered on the subject of dis aud violence and the pre: {troops in suid State dariig suid election is not competent, but that, notwithstanding the offer ot sneb evi- deuce, thee ‘al votes of the State of South Carolan ougit'to be reeelved wid counted, If not objectionable on other grounds, Kesolved, that the other objections to evrtificate No. 1 show no valid cause for rejecting the swine, THE DEMOCRATIC SUBSTITETE, Mr. Field oflered the following subsututes:— | Kesvived, That evidence Is adinivsible to show that prior to anu auring the of the 7th day ot November, Is76, in the State of South Carolina, there Were antawtully ste the state at or near the polling fimees sunients ot (roops of thy army of the Unived Btate: whose prem wal interference qualitied voters | of the State were ived 0. the right of suffrave and a | free chotes by the people of the Vresidential electors was prevented, Resolved, Thay evidence is adtnissible to show that at the tent with upetent for the two houses of nant th votes tor Prosident ont the jatios of Cliarh yn and Buterd shortly beture | eleetion ot. hh day of November, 1876, in South Caro: and on the day Of the wieetion, Which said lawlessiens was | lina there were stationed at the severad poling plices in riinariiy wcertie whe waid state by | the Stute deputy marswalsol the Cntted states, exeveding “nited States that no tree election vould be oF | 1,000 in oumber, by whose aniawiul aetion and. interter: was held In said © i that npon the ary the pop: | elie under urders from tl tlur will fuund oo expression wt tie polis; thas by Tenens Ged volersof the State were deprived of tue rigs of nce of | United States troops on the day of election, there was | } certilicate of Governor Cham berla: | the Presidential question the excitement | pied, “No, Deparment of deed HER suffrage, and a free cholee by the people of Presidential electors was prevente: These substitutes were rejected. THE VOTE. s. Abbott, Bayard, Clifford, Field, Hunton, Mi Kernan and ayne—T. DAYs—Messre Bradley, Edmunds, ivelinghuysen, Gurtielt, Moar, Miller, Morton and Strong—3 ‘Lhe question recurring on the adoption of Mr. Mor- Yeas: ton’s resolutions they were adupteu—yeas 5, nays 7— the above vote being reverse. Mr, Frelinghuysen offered the following:— Resolved, That Theodore K. Barker, 8, McGowan, Joln ac W. Harrington, Jolu Jobn B. Erwin and Kober electors in certificute No, Ingrahai, Willinm Walla Jdrich, the ‘persons named ere not the lawful electors for State of South Carolina, aud that their votes wre not tue votes provided for by the coustitutiva of the United States, aud should not be counted. This was adopted unanimously. Mr. Morton offered the following: — Resolved, That C. ©. Bowen, J. Winsmith, Thomas B. Jobnston, Timothy Hurley, W. B. Nast, Wilson Cook and W. F. Myers, the persons named as electors in cerufcute No. 1, wore the lawful eleetors (ur the State of South Caro- lind, and that their votes are the vores provided tor by the constitution of the United States aud should be counted for President and Vico President of the United States. Adopted—yeas 8, nays 7—same as the vote on Mr. Morton’s previous resolutions. A report is to be presented to the two houses giving the grounds on which the commission had reached its decision, Mr, Morton offered the iollowing:-— Resolved, That the thanas of the commission are due to Commissioner Clitiord for the ability. impartiality and ur banity with which be has presided over iis deliverativns. ‘Adopted unanimously, ‘A resolution offered by Mr. Strong was adopted, authorizing the members of the commission to dle the made by them during the consultations of the ion and have the same published with the pro- 8 of the comm A resulution removing the injunction of secrecy was adopted, Ou motion of Mr. Garfield, at six minutes to sevon P. M., the commission adjourned until eleven o'clock Friday mornivg, March 2, unless sooner callod together by its presiding officer. RAPORT OF THR COMMISSION. “ ‘The report of the commission is in substance as fol- ows :-— The Electoral Commission having received certain certifiates and papers purporting to be certificates and papers accompanying the sane of the electoral vote irom the State of South Carolina aud the objections thereto, reports that it has duly considered the same, and bas by a majority of votes decided and does hereby decide that the votes of C. ©. Bowen, John Winsmith, Thomas B. Johnsion, Timothy Hurley, W. B. Nash, William Cook and William F, Meyers, named in the |. Which votes are certified by said persons, as appears by the ceruflcates submitted to the commission ns aforesaid and here- with returned, are the votes provided for by the con- stitution of the United States, and the same are law- tully to be counted ax therein certified—namoly, seven votes tor Rutherford B. Hayes, of the State of Ohio, for President, and seven votes for William A. Wheeler, of the State of New York, for Vice President, The commission, by & inyority of yotes, decide and report that the seven persona first betore named were duly appointed clectors in aud tor the said State of douth Carolina, Tho briet ground of this decision is that it appears upon such evidence as by the constitu. tion and the law creating the commission 18 compe- font and pertinent to the consideration of the subject that the before-mentioned electors appeur to have been jawtully appointed such electors of Presiaent aud Vico President of the United States for the term be- ginning March 4, 1877, of the State of South Caroljna, and that they voted as such atthe time and in thé manner provided for by the constitution of the United States and the law; and tho commissiun has by a majority of votes decided that 1 is not compe- tent under the constitution und the law to go into ovis dence aliunde thé papers opened by the President of the Senate in the presence of the two houses to prove that other persons than those regularly certified to by the Governor of the State, im and according to the determination of the appointment by the returning officers for elections iu said State, prior to the timo required tor the performance of their du- ties, had been appointed electors, or by counter proof to show that they had not, or that the determmation of the said returning officers was not im accordance with the truth and fact, the commission, by a majority of votes, being of the opinion thus it 1s not Within the jurisdiction of the two Houses of Congress assembled to count the votes for President and Vice President, to enter upon atrial of such questions. The report will also set forth the fact that the votes of the uemocratic electors of South Carolina were rejected by a duanimous vote ol the comuission, The Secretury of the commission will to-morrow morning deliver to the Presivent pro fem. of the Senate the formal decision above described, togetber with all the certificates and accompanying papers im the caso which had been referred to the commission ; and the Secretary will also deliver to the Speaker of tle House @ formal notification, signed by the President of the commission, that their decision bad been communi- cated to the President pro tem. THE POPULAR FEELING. PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS VORING THE OBSTRUCTION POLICY. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Hagrispera, Fob, 27, 1877, A Joint caucus of the democratic Senatom and mem - bers of the House was held to-day to take action on the Presidential question. A nomber of speeches were made denunciatory of the partisan decimons of the electoral tribunal, and the following resolution was adopted Unaningpusly _ RESOLUTION ADOPTED, That our representatives in Congress be requested and urged to use ull legal aud constitutional means to prevent the consummation of the foul conspiracy to count in and fu fAugurate i1ayos 1m opposition tu the expressed will of the peuple. A resolution less moderate in tone was opposed by several democrats, and to meet their views it was modi- fied as above. The resolution was immediately tele- grapled to Washington to be presented to the demo- cratic Congressmen. PEELING OF THE DEMOCRATS. A large majority of the damox jc members of the Legislature are favorable to uny parliamentary tactics that will keep Hayes out of the Presidency and compel a new election, ¥a- A PROTEST YROM PHILADELPHIA AGAINST DELAY, Put.apeLputa, Feb, 27, 1877. Ata meeting of the Board of Managors of the Com- mercial Exchange, held this morning, 8. E, Malone, president, im the chair, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :— Resolved, That the Commercial Exchange of the city of Philadelphia, representing some 700 business firtas, would respect tully repr Congress that the busine ‘of the whole cou dered and d the Preside: sary apt turbed by the delay m completing tial vote nnd in the failure to pass the riution bills for carrying oa the govern at distinction of party this Chamber pri tutlures and urges that the | brcne welfare and pr f the whole poople demand prompt accion in these matters, AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL—THE ACTION OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION DENOUNCED, Wasuixatos, Feb, 27, 1877. A public meeting of avout 4,000 porsons was ad- dressed to-night by ex-Congressman George W. Jutian, Reprosentative Bright, of Tonnossee, ex-Congress- man Young, of Georgia, and others on the political situation. They denounced the action of the Electoral Commission and counselled resistance on the part of the democrats in Cougress to a further count on the alleged ground that the proceedings were tarnted with fraud, and, therefore, those who voted tor the Elec- toral bill were released from their obligations to ob- serve it. Resolutions to tnis effect were adopted. ACTION OF THE INDIANAPOLIS BOARD TRADE. Isprasapotts, Ind., Feb, 27, 1877. The Board of Trade to-day unanimously passed reso- lutions depreeating any efforts toward the delay of counting the votes for President, and telegraphed the same to the Indianapolis Representatives and Senators or | wt Washington, POLITICAL SENTIMENT IN THE CITY. As the crisis approaches in Washington in regard to in this city increases in some quarters and subsides in others. It is very clear that the republicans are quiescent and await with patience and confidence the issue, On the other hand the democrats are divided in their councils, one branch advocating submission to tho decision of What inexorable tribunal, the Electoral Commission, while another section demands filibustering to the bitter ond, with the possibility of having another elec- tion, ‘The views of the different factions may be gleaned from the following retroupect of last evening’s view by a Heratp representative of the situation in the localities named :— At the St Nicholas Hotel there was some conversa- tion, but nothing positive except the desire of the mer. chant guests for the settlement of the Presidential question, The same may-bo said of the Metropolitan. Av the New York Hotel, the favorite resort of South- erners, tule was suid They talked quietly among ves, and Lio One made a public demoustration. At the Filin Avenue the usual eight ur niue o'clock assomblage Hud ity excitavle tack, a sort of digestive operation natural to the locality. AL the Hollman there were two Ways of talk—one by the rovustious dymocratic cliss, whu clamored for war, und the other class, composed of sensible democratic Merchunts, Who demanded peace aud a settlement, or, us they avowed, they would ieave the democratic party aitogeiher, At the Sturtevant it was declared that the politicians had robbed the people so log that there was nothing left of them but boues, taxes and honesty. A fighting than at the Sturtevant was asked if any fighting would result irom the present Presidential imbrogho, He ree Those who can won't, and those who woald couldn't.” At Veimouieo's, Broadway and Filth Avenue, every- thing wus peace, pares and patow, AU the Gilsey there was the usual assemblage of evenrng guests, and while some democrats did not fail to express their chagrin at the situauion iv Washington vthers were quiet and reticent, aly the republicans Were in humor, aud that was of such a grim cast wat | dential powers would glide easily and harmlessly invo iter dinner | ALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1877.--TRIPLE SHEET. it could be scarcely defined whether the individual was ey or crying. jost interesting and probably the most {mpor tant result of the Hikaty representative's investi; Hons lastevening Was an interview he held with well Known metaber of a fashionable aptown club, It 18 given as follows :— SIONS OF A POLITICIAN, “My opinion is,” be remarked, “tbat pin the democrais i Uus city think the House of Repre- should oppose every legitimate parlamen- tary obstacle to the compietion of the count,” Jun You give any reason for this?!” ery readily, The reason is, and the public mind | jumps “at conclusions, that the Electoral Commission was acted uniairiy in goig behind the Governor's certificate in the case of Oregon, and tn retusiig to do #¢ ip the cases of Florida and Louisa, This out- rages the popular sense of Justice and tair pla, “What do the democrats think of the alternative of a yew election, provided the count is not completed 1m favor of Hayes “There 13 one thing which you may say is unalter- ably fixed in the deumocrauc mind, and that 1s that ‘Tilden was elected Pro-ident and Hayes was not, The first impulsive idea 1s w prevent Hayes from getting im at ail huzards, The second thought ts, what ts to be done in that event? believe that a new election meets with the approval of Che democracy, withough they believe thateven that would be an injustice tu Tilden, For my own part | am enty clear that tt ) would de beticr for the country to have a new election than to see Hayes go into the Presidency with a clouded titie against the wishes of a large majority of the people, as expressed in the lust election. Lt 1s urged that the people want the question settled. ‘rue, bUL they don’t Want it settled by the | commission of uwroug, ‘I'he inauguration of Hayes, | under the circumstinces, would vot settle anything, All the democrats and @ large proportion of the | Fepublicaius believe that he was not elected, and his | Occupation of the chair would give rise to endless | controversy. On the other hand a new election would | result so decisively for one side or the other, that there | Would be no grounds for cavilling, It may be said | Vhat the people do not desire the tarmo:! of auother Presidential election; but even this for a short period | would uot be 80 great an evil as the existence of parti- san rancor and beated recrimination for four years, If Congress shouid tail to complete the count the pre- siding officer of the Senate would, of course, become €X ollicio President. Nobody would dispute his witie, He i® @ Senator chosen by the Legisiature of a State, and, by Virtue of his position as presidiny officer of the Senite, would be recognized as acting President ac- cording to the constitution, “What effect would this have upon the business of the country ?”* ertuinly, it would be more satisfactory to the peo- ple than the ‘counting in of a President against whom &@ majority remonstrate, Consequently it would exer- cise @ more pacifying influence, A President recog. ized by ali partics would be better than one recog. Bized by only a minority ” “suppose Hayes inaugurated, Would that, in your Judgment, settle things??? sit woula nat. The Southern question, which is the disturbing clement, would st:il be unsettled. Hayes would be beset on the one side by the ulira repeblicaus | waisting upon the recognition of Packard and Cham. | berlain, and on the other by his friends who have been holding out inducements tor Southern support by rep- senting that he would not intertere with Nicholls and Hampton, Hoe could not tgnore Packard, because if Packwrd was not elected Governor of Louisiana, he (Hayes) would NOT BR ENTITLED TO THY ELECTORAL VoTE ov THE STATE, and therefore to tho Presidency. And yet to Interfere with Nicholls would be anjust to the Southern mem- bors of Congress, to whom the failure of the plan to obstruct tho count ismaimly due. Hayes is, in a Measure, committed to a liberal policy toward the South by tho utterances of Fosier and others, who claim to represent him in Congress. But he would be guilty of ranic ingratitude if ho turned a cold shoulder | to those who secured the counting of the electoral votes for bim through the instrumentality of the re- turning bourds. ‘How do you imagine Hayes can get out of this diiemma?’’ That's exactly the point. fle can’t get outof it. bt ie not w grout man, His recent speeches prove jt. tenths of | MR. ELD’S BILL, REPRESENTATIVE FIELD INTRODUCES A BILL | FOR THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT—-PASSED TO & THIRD READING BY 4 MAJORITY OF TWENTY-NINE, | Wasmixotox, Feb, 27, 1877. In the House of Representatives, before any action was taken on the bill, Mr. Fixup, of New York, trom the Committee on Privileges, reported the bill amend- img the Revised Statutes of the United States so as to provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both President and Vice President, or for the case of a vacancy tn those offices arising from the failure of the two houses of Congress to ascertain and declare an election belore the commencement of the term of office in respect to which tho electoral votes were cast, or the case of a Vacancy arising {rom any other cause, It provides that tho President of the Senate, or, if there be none, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the time being, or, if there be no such Speaker, then the Secretary of State in office when the vacancy bap- pens %enat! act'as President unwl the disability is re- moved or a President elected, Mr. Burcnanp, {(rep.) of IL, raised the point of order tbat the Commitee on Privileges had no author. ity to report by bill, and the further poiut that tho subject mawer of the bill bad uever been relerred to that committee, ‘Tho SPAKER overruled the point of order, holding that th:s was a question of the highest constitutional privilege and saying that he would have recognized | apy member Sntroducing such a vill and demanding immediate action. Objection bemg made to a second reading of the | bill, the Speaker put the question under one of thy | rules, ‘Shall the bill bo rejected?’? (t was decided in the negative, ‘The bill was then read a second timo, ME. FIRLD'S REMARKS, Mr. Fimtp then proceeded to explain and advocate the bill, He said that the existing law provided only for a case of removal, death, resignation or inability of tha incumbents of these oliides, but made no provision for 4 caso of there being no incumbents, ‘This bill was tor the purpose of supplying that defect, which ought to have been supplied longago. 11 1t bad been in the law ut tbe veginuing of the present session a great deal of the uncertainty, the disquiet and the alarm of the com- munity would have been avoided. Tho peuple of the country thought that if the two houses disagreed | in the electoral count an anarchy would follow, whereas it Congross had provided by law as he now asked tt to provide the office of President anu the great Presi- we ang of the custodian of whe powers lor the time ving. it was not merely the present exigency which this bill was intended to provide tor. Incase of invasion or civil war a count of the clectoral votes at the time required by law might be — pre- vented, In that case, 43 the law now stood, | there was no officer whatever to exercise the Presidential ofice ad interim. Lf, after the declaration of the President and Vice President, both should di if to-morrow the President and Vice President elect should be both In the same raiiroad train and should lese their lives by « railroad acciden—there was ho possibility, under existing law, of providing for the vacancy, Were the members willing to leave the law im that condition? It was not only the night auder | the constitution, but the duty of Congress, as the | guardian of the public tranquillity, to provide’ for toe | exigency. In that spirit he ad reported tne bil, Lt Was nol a partisan measure. He was sure there was | no desire to do otherwise than faithiully avide by the Jaw as it pow stood, The law was mude but a tow cks ago, DUt that should not prevent Congress trom adVantage of the occasion which suggested the noed of this amendment, and for that reasun be bad presented it, TUK BILL UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Mr. Kasson, (rep.) of Lowa, suid that there wore two objections 1M lis mind to the bil, The Lrst and most itportant objection was that the bili was uncgusti- | tonal, ‘The constitution provided that Cougress should provide for the succession to the Presidential chair in cuse it should Le mude vacant through one of Jour causes—viz, death, resignation, removal or ins | ability to acl—and he very much doubted if Congress could pass @ law creating another cause without a violation of the constitution. His second objection was Ubat the bill provided not only that the President of the Senate should saceced in case of a fauure to elect, but that be sould succeed if there was a tailure to dveiare the result uf the election, ‘Tuat woud leave it in the power ot either house of Congress, by refusing to deteat the popular clection and keep tn office an administration Which might have been rejected by the people, A DANGEROUS POWER, Mr. Lawrence, (rep.) of Obio, hind little doubts about the coustitutionulity of the measure, but there was ove objection to it which, in his mind, Was insur mountable, and that was, that 1 made it the inierest of the President of the Senate to delay the count; to postpone 1, 1m order that he bimgell might become President of the United States, 1 would be a danger- power to put into that oflicer’s hands-—-a power | which be could wieid for evil, and evil only, A vill, theretore, which was aught with go much evil and danger ought not to pass, A DEMOCKATIC OBJECTOR. Mr. Nawab (dew, )ol Ohio, opposed the bill. It only showed the point to whicu bis democratic colleagucs had been driven in their madness under the leadership of the dis: inguished republican trom the siute of New York (Mr. Fivid), (Laughter.) His first objection to | the bill was that tard uot moet the case ar bi A | bil to provide for the present contingency | should declare that a new ciection should | be hold withip sixty days from the 4th of March, a At in the meanwhile the duties of the Presidential office should be pertormed by tue Seerctary of Stute, His wext objection to 1 was that It proposed to keep out of the Presidency the present | Governor of Ohio und ty tnstall 1m bis piace some re- publican Senator, He warned bis democratic col- Ioagues that if this bil became a law they would be again deceived, and that the result would be to put the Presidentil office Olver P. Morton, of India #ud he, lor one, would preter to see Ruthertord B. Hayes 10 that villce for four years Uhan to see Oliver B, Morton io it tor four months, or tour days even, (Laughter apd applanse.) A KOCK AMBAD. Mr, SKELYE, (rep.) Of Sluss., opposed the UIT, Mach greater evil, he suid, could Come trom basty legisla- on than from vo legislation, Still be supposed that there would ve @ tuauinous assent to the pending measure if the clause io which the gentieman trom towa (Mr. Kasson) lad objected were omitted That nium to Congress tor pot doing it | | Mochingly |} of the Court who how adh | au incendiary, pi \d it Ollored o possibility to tho Senate to socure as Presidont of the United Sts:.s its own presiding of- cer, contrary to the will of tue people, these two ob- jections, it seemed to him, wero fatal to te measure. APRECH OF MK RANKS. Mr. Banks, (rep) of Mass. opposed the billion the ground Ubat it was unnecessary, and that vo conditiun of things coud arise in which the Presidential vow could pot be counted. Wherever there was « govern- ment, Whether in peace or in war, the President of the Senate had the constitutional power to count the vote. ‘This vill made @ refusal of neglect to count the vor constitutional procedure. It was iv direct opposition to the deciaration of the framers of tho constituion— acted under tor nearly 100 years—thut Congress should have nothing whatever to do With Che election of Presi- JL enubled the House of Kepr ¢. OF both, to put wm the Presiiency o elected by the people and it was calculated w Mexican. ize the government, MR, FIELD'S REPLY, Mr. Fixtp replied to the various objections to the bill, and asserted ag a proof of its necessity bbat, 11 bad not been for the Electoral bill, tue vote of the last presidential election could never have been counted and declared, His friend from Massachusetts (Mr. Bunks) was tn part responsible for this omission trom the laws, for he had held wn honored seat in the House for many yeurs aad had pot provided any bill for this purpose, Mr. Bayks—There never was 4 necessity for it. Mr. Fir Now we nave an emergeacy, We know whe difficulty, Let us act like men aud provide tor it T appeal to my trieuds on the other side to come fore ward, not in ibe spirit of parasans, but in the spirit of statesmen, to provide for it, Do not tell us that tt ap. plies 10 this election, Lt does apply 60 Uiat aud to aul elections as it shouid apply. THE VOTE. The bill was then ordered to be read a third time, | and, having been so read, 1t Was pussed—yeus, 138; | hays, LOQ—a party vote, except that one republican (Mr. Purman, of Florida voted for it, and the follow. ing numed thirteen democrats againat 1t:— DEMOCRATS 1¥ OPPOSITION, Messrs, Buckaer of Missouri, Googin of Kansas, Hancock of Texas, Knott of Kentucky, Neal of Ohio, Potter of Michigan, Savage of Ohio, Stevenson of Hit nows, Tarbox of Massachusetts, ‘Thomas of Indiana, Warren uf Massachusetts, Whitehouse of New York ana Wiilia TEXT OF THE MILL. ‘The exuct text of the bill 18 as follows: 0 wal, death, resignation or inability of both identand Vicw Presideut ot the United states, or in case of & VacauCY in those oft from (the faiiure of the two houses of Congress to sscertsin and declare an el tion beture the commencement of the term at oflice, In re: spect to which the eectoral votes were cast. or in case of ® vacancy ari from any other cause, the President of the Benate, or if there be none, the speaker ot the Hous tor the time being, and if th be no such Speaker, then the Secretary of State in office whon the vacancy happens, sliall actus Prosidsut until the disablity fs removed or w President elecsoul. LOUISIANA AND SOUTH CAROLINA, re A RESOLUTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NICH- OLLS AND HAMPTON GOVERNMENTS BFJECTED. Wasiixcrox, Feb 27, 1877. In the House of Representatives Mr. Scurescurr, (dem.) of Texas, moved to suspend the rules aud adopt @ resolution reciting that the principle that w free government derives tts power trom the consent of the people cannot be disregurded by the Congress of the United States, and chat tt is evident that the govern. ments known as the Hampton government i South Carolina and the Nicholls government in Louisiana aro the only governments in those States that command the support of the people and do not depend for their support on the military interierence ot tho national government, and declaring that the State government represented by Governor Hampton and the State government represented by Governor Nicholls are recognized by Congress us the lawtul goveruments of the States of South Carolina and Louisiana, Rejected: —Yeus, 155; nays, 93. Not two-thirds in the allirmative, Mr. Warrersox, of Kentucky, moved to suspend the rules aud adopt a resolution reciting the text of A telegram sent yesterday to Governor Nichouls, of Louisiana, by authority of the President, to the effect that Nicholis’ governmont should be sustained as representing the best vliewents of the State, and ae- claring (hat the opinions expressed by the President are sound and are the sentiments of a large majority oL the Americun people, Culls were taade on the republican side of the House | forthe author of the telegram, but his name was not given, ‘To w remark made by tho Speaker to Mr. Conger, of Michigan, that the Chair was right in uot allowing Suggestion to be made afier the yeas and nays Were ordered Mr, Concke retorted, in bis usual sarcastic tone, that the Speaker might be right by mere chance, (Laughter. ) The motion to suspend the rules and adopt the reso- lution was defeated—yeus 127, oays 8—not two-thirds in the affirmative. SOUTH CAROLINA FURTHER DELAY IN THE DECISION OF THE HAMPTON PARDON HABEAS CORPUS CAsE—A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE UNDER THREATS OF PERSONAL VIOLENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Convumta, & C., Feb, 27, 1877. As intimated in the Henao of to-day the decision in the habeas corpus case of Tilda Norria?%« partoned convict, which involves the question whether Hamp- ton is Governor of the State, was ugain postponed by the Supreme Court to-day, tensity and cagerness in reference to this de- cision was mavifested this morning by the throngs that filled tho Supreme Court and the approaches thereto, It was casy also to discern that there was a good deal of suppressed ex- citement, It bad been generally reported that the | colored justice, Wright, bud concluded to announce hes concurrence in the decision of Associate Justice Willard, but the court at once announced that their consultations were not erded, and thereupon ad- Journed until one P, M. Upon this the crowd slowly dispersed, only to gathor in smaller knots on the street corners aud other public places, ready to return at tue appointed nour, ANOTHER PAILURE TO AGREE. At one o’clock the court recouvened, but the Judges were closeted in the consulting room unull two, when the two justices emerged, Justice Willard stativg that they had hoped to announce the order of the Court to-day, but 1t would certainly be made Known in a tew days. “This was another bitter disapporntment to the crowd, and it sullenly dispersed. A JUDGE NULL-DOLED, It is now well known that the reason why tho colored justice, Wright, tus not heretofore assented to the conciusions of Justice Willard ts that to bave done sv would have incurred to bim the danger of per- sonal violence, Berg a colored man he hus been looked upon 4s the only rematuing hope of the Chamberlain party, His tite has been threatened by the colored people to-day. He stated to prominent leaders of tho Hampton party that be did not dare to make known his decision lor fear of personal injury. ‘This sort of intimidation 1s curried toan extent that must result in violence if persisted jn. UNDER A THREATENING Justico Wright hus been gua the most yus care for the past tree days, A mob of Cham- Veriain’s special constables hang about bim, and he 33 shadowed by the colored local government and other prominent Hegrocs, ‘The threat is constautly made tu hin that be must not dure coincide with Justice Willard, with whom he has been in harmony all along. He has been most essentinily bull-dozed. DELAY POR MOTIVES OF PRUDENCE. The plain meaning of the announcement of tho Court this morning ts said to be that Wright bas signed tho order of the Court, but that he requested a delay betore it was made public in oraer to afford him ume tw provide for bis personal suiety, Amid all these treus of violence i 1s to the credit Justice Willard that = he has stood at his post, the solitary member » the judgment wh clown, has been heretotore exp , by lus associates, Weilus himsell, Shouid auy violence be ollered to Judge Wright for agreeing w the order of the Court, | vergeance will ve Visited upon the heads of bis assau: ants. LARGE FIRE IN SOUTH CAROLINA HALF OF THE BEST BUSINESS BLOCK IN CAM- DEN DESTROYED, [BY TLLEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Campun, Feb, 27, 187% A terrible fire broke out hero this morning at three half # viock of the The tre vegan in rear of Arthur's store, a jong building, aud Un the south its | o'clock which consumed over Jeading business houses on Main street. spread rapidly bouh north and south, progress was stopped byfemoving a buridiog, which Suved that ball of the bivck; but tothe north it swept everything mm its track until it reached the next et, Where Buum's large brick sure checked rogress, The stores ou tue opposite side of tt (Were frequently ou lire, but wei seven A. M., When the entire bul! block lay in tutus. ‘Toe loss in yoods and buildings 18 estimated at apont $50,000, about $40,000 of Which Is supposed to be cov. or, ¢. ered by Insurance. The toilowiug companies suit but fo what ext how be ascer- tained, tost of the being burned;— deg (Va) Savin and Insurance Compan Hottman Tnsurance Company of New York; Cuizen: Insurance Company, Newark, N. J.; Richmond, ¥ Fire Insuraues Company, Atlantic, New York au Pusladeiphia Fire Association. Otner companies aiso suiler, The tiro is supposed to bave been (ue work of THE LATE GENERAL AGUILERA, ‘The comnnssion charged with the obsequies of General F.V. Aguilera, late Vieo President of Cuba, boneving it to be their duty to the family and the frends of the to themselves, hereby expross their gravetul ackuowledgment to the municipal au- deceased, 44 well as thorities of the cuy of New York wud to the man; friends of the Cuban Republic who co-operated wit them in rendering the last patriot whose uawe the 8etOD, Fewatary 27, 187% dM. Macias, The feoting of paintulin- | ot | une | 3 | | donkey eagines c esived by the untiring exertions of the tiretnen, The tire eeised about | 1 hovers LO an iliustrious dear to the Cubaa peopie By PRESIDENT-ELECT HAYES, . Office-Seekers Obtaining Private Taks with the Next President, DISCOMFITURE. THEIR Uusneeessful Interviewing—Governor Hayes Will Not Resiga To-Day. eterna {BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) CoLemues, Ohio, Feb. 2%, 1877. There has been considerable falling off in visitors to the Executive Chambers to-day, but Governor Hayes spent the morning in his private room receiving these who called, The are admitted one at a ume, so thateach has atull opportunity to untold his talk to the Governor and without any just cause of visitors fear of eavesdroppers. The Governor came to his of- fice between nine and teu o'clock this morning, and al most his first cailer was Mr. Demas Barnes, of Brook: lyn, who speot considerable time im the sane. tum and then went out to take a walk with tho Governor, Mr, Russell, an ex-government official, and Mr, Loxgett, of Detroit, alse had a private audience, Mr. Theodore Cook, of Cin- cinvati, a well known democratic politician, whom Mr, Hayes beat for Congress in 1866, also cailed to pay hu respects, in company with Mr, Griffith, a Cineinnat! banker, It is wa noticeable fact that the smalles Place hunters leave the quiet htile private office with less joyous faces than = whea they entered, and It is quite likely the quiet eyed Gov. | eruor explains to these anxious souls that he bag schemes of far more importance to consider than the claims of place hunters, and quite likely points to that clause of his letter of acceptance relative to civil service reform, NO PROMISES, It is certain that Governor Hayes makes no promiace of future oilicial preferment to apy of bis callers, and this, no doubt, accounts for the fur from cheerful faces of the visitors who have been granted private audiences, Governor Hayos remained in bis office until four o'clock, and then went out for a walk im accordance with his old time habits, ‘ A VRMININE PLUTTER, Tho feminine portion of the community are sald to be filled with curiosity to sce the new dresses roe cently completed by a fashionable house in Cincin- nat for Mrs, Hayes. THE INTERVIEWERS, ‘The representatives of several metropolitan jour. nals, who are here with imperative in. structions to interview Governor Hayes, evie dently suffer somewnat, as the — ancient ‘Tantalus must have suflered. They frequently get a sight of their objective point, but somehow Just when it scems as if un interview must come Governor Hayes puts down the stopper and 1s dumb to all mat- ters of importance, He 1s @ stubborn man when necessary, and can decline an interview with politeness, but also with promptness and despateb, THE CAR FOR WASUINGTON, Mr, Tom Scott’s private car is here in readiness to convey Governor Hayes and family to Washington, CAMINET MAKERS, Lieutenant Governor Young last night received a most romarkable telegram of 809 words from Washing- tou, purporting to give proceedings of a conference of Southern republicans, Union men and old whigs. It says the prospect of Governor Hayos* inauguration has given the South new hope aad they now look for a desectionalizing of aational politics and Suggest, in furtherance of this idea, that Governor Hayes should appoint three leading Southern and stern men to Cabinet positions. Itthen mentions the following as proper persone from whom these selections should be made:—John Pool, of North Carolina; Jobn Hancock, of Alabama; Colonel &. T. Vanhorn, of Missouri; General Joo K Jonnston, of Virginia ex-Senatoa Key, of Teuresace, This deapaich then gives the mental, moral, religious and political history of each person named, im extenso, This row markable document was intended for Governor Hayes, and in fact at {1s close a request Was mado to rie to him and telegrafh bis opinion of it. The despatch is signed, “A, Baker, Secretary. ANOTHER ROORTACK. A despatch was roceived to-night from Washingtoa stating thata story was current there that General Comiy had telegraphed to New Orleans that Hayes would recognize Packard us Governor, and calling for confirmation or denial of the story. An answer was speedily returned that no such despatch had been sent by Comly or anyoue authorized to speak tor Hayes and that the whole story was a roorback, THE COLUMUUS RECEPTION, It was expected here that Governor Hayes would re- sign to-morrow aud that a farewell reception would be given to-morrow might, bat, In conversation to-night, Governor Hayes stated that he would not resign to morrow, 80 probably the reception will not be neld. HAYES’ CABINET—A MOVEMENT TO SHUT OU? MR. EVARTS. Atuany, N, Y., Feb, 27, 1877. A petition was circulated among the members of the Logislature to-day for signatures in favor of the ap pointment of Thomas C, Vlatt, of Owego, for Pose tmaster General in the Hayes Cabinet. It is auderstood to be uw Conkling mouvement to prevent the uppoine ment of Mr, Evarts, aud is said to be goiug on 1D Var rious paris of the State, THE AMERIQUE, THE STRANDED STEAMER STILL ASTORE—AN INEFFECTUAL ATTEMPT LAST NIGHT TO GET HER OFF. [wy TELEGRAPH TO THE MERALD.] Seaunicut, N. J., Feb, 27, 1877, To-day every pound of superfluous weight had deca removed from the stranded steamer Amerique, ia the hope that by exiraordinary efforts she might ve hauled off at bigh water this evening, The top masts wero taken down and sent ashore; many tons of water wero emptied from large botiers, the hold was pumped out and every pos- sible means Were taken to righten the vessel Th Amerique had steam up at hali-past six and ove of the mimenced Lo tug at the stern anchor avle bac the Vessel hardiy moved, There was o heavy sea on, but the much sought for eastern or southeastern winds wi wanting, and in stead the wind biew light trom tho southwest, Au- otter engine in the Low of the stip at length began working and sho moved slowly, Ihe engines worked Ui about eight o'clock, bat very litte was accomplished, ‘The ship Was hauled south about litteen feel, Where she will remain Wil bigh water toe morrow Woroing, When they will agam attempt to baul ber off; but the Jersey watermen say nothing but @ still southeuster will do 1b saccesstuily, THE RUSSIAN PRINCES. The Grand Dukes Alexis and Constantine, accom panied by Baron Schiliiug and Dr. Condrine, will leave New York this morning on the balf-past nine iimited express train of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which will convey them to Baltimor At that city the ducal party will take one of the Bay line of steam- ers to Norlolk, and there they wil rejoin the Imperial squadron, which they lefton the léth inst on a lew days’ eave oi absence, General Manager Frank Thom son's special car hos been piaced at the di il of the Grand Dukes, the privacy of whieh ther i. | eujoy during there ranroad travel, as they dia dasa | thew trip to this eny. The entire Russian feet wil | head up lor New York ioward the latier end of Marcy | oF tho early purt of April, and on tts arrival here it te provable the Grand Dukes will not attempt (o lead the recluse lives (hey Lave preferred duriug their preseut | vasit. Yhey spent yesterday very quietly, the chiet event of the day seeming to have’ been their anxiety about the completion of their photographs They bad ordered fifty dozen to be struck of, bat as tt was less than a week ago Uiat they sub betore the camera, the photographer was avle to deliver ouly about a third of the nutber ordered, Last evening all the portraits that wore ready Were broaghé to the Clarendon, DGRAPH MANIACS. Since their arrival at tho Clarendon, the Grana Dukes have been bombarded, 80 to speak, With aato graph aibuma, the owners of whicn, dimost all oi} Whom are young ladies, havo sent up earnest ap- poals tor their imperial signatures, In pearly every justance the Grand Dukes bave declined to comply with the ort repeated request, and tt 1s be Wonder the tormidabie array of albums that was presented to them last evening caused tuo Grand Duke Alesis to express considerable irritation i iii pp@@qq eee eee