two houses are organized and ready to proceed to business and hear any communication he may desire to make. GEO. L. BROWN, Chief Clerk H. R. On motion of Mr. Burr, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Burr, Hoyt and Chapman, to act with a like committee on the part of the house, to wait upon his excellency, the governor, and inform him that the two houses were now organized and ready to receive from his excellency any communication he might desire to make to the legislature. On motion of Mr. Burr, the senate proceeded in a body to the house of representatives, to meet in joint convention with that body. JOINT CONVENTION. The joint convention was called to order by the president of the senate. The roll of the senate was called by its secretary, and there were present: Messrs. Burr, Chapman, Fisher, Hoyt, Lamaster, Lyon and Mr. President-7. Absent Messrs. Abbott, Bear, Perky and Rustin-4. The roll of the house was called by the chief clerk and there were present: Messrs. Anyan, Baumer, Clark, Cornell, Davidson, Enyart, Farley, Fisher, Gaylord, Haney, Hastings, of Lancaster, Hastings, of Saline, Hayden, Helmer, Holmes, Howe, Moudy, Munn, Olinger, Raper, Rouse, Somers, Tomlin and Mr. Speaker- 24. Absent Messrs. Baker, Folda, Hendershot, Lucas, McKillip, Murphy, Nance, Pinney, Roll and Seeley-10. A majority of both houses being present, the president declared a quorum, and that the convention was ready to proceed to busi ness. On motion of Mr. Burr, a committee consisting of Messrs. Burr and Lyon, on the part of the senate, and Hasting, of Lancaster, and Baumer, on the part of the house, was appointed to wait on the governor and inform his excellency that the two houses had assembled, in joint convention, and were ready to receive any communication he might desire to make. The proclamation of the governor convening the legislature in special session was then read by the president of the covention. On motion of Mr. Chapman, a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Chapman, Olinger and Clark was appointed to wait upon the secretary of state, and inform him that the convention was ready to receive and canvass the returns of the election for presidential electors held on the 7th day of November, A. D. 1876. The following message was received from the governor, by L. E. Cropsey, his private secretary. EXECUTIVE Office, LINCOLN, Dec. 5, 1876. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: The constitution of the State of Nebraska authorizes the governor to convene the legislature upon extraordinary occasions. You are assembled in compliance with a proclamation issued by me convening the legislature at the capital of the State in special session on this the fifth day of December, A. D. 1876, for the purpose of canvassing the votes cast for electors of the president and vice-president of the United States. Section 57 of chapter 20 of the general statutes of this State provides that the votes cast for presidential electors shall be canvassed in the same manner and by the same officers as required by law in the case of electing a representative in congress. It further appears from section 19 of chapter 20 of the general statutes, that the abstract of votes cast at any election for member of congress shall be opened and published by the president of the senate in the presence of a majority of the members of both houses of the legislature, who shall be for that purpose assembled. By an act of congress the electors of the president and vicepresident of the several States are required to meet and give their votes on the first Wednesday in December in the year in which they are appointed, at such place as provided by law. Section 61 of chapter 20 of the general statutes of this State provides that the said electors shall meet at the seat of government for the purpose of giving their votes for president and vice-president, on the same day as that directed by congress. The day fixed by law is the sixth instant. The necessity of your immediately proceeding to canvass the vote is apparent. The president of the senate will certify the result to me, that in obedience to the requirements of section 60 of chapter 20 of the general statutes and the laws of congress on that subject made and provided, I shall be enabled to issue certificates to the persons entitled to receive them. SILAS GARBER, Governor. The secretary of state appeared and delivered the returns of the election to the president of the senate. On motion of Mr. Holmes, three tellers were appointed to assist in the canvass of the vote. The president appointed as such tellers, Messrs. Lyon, Holmes and Tomlin. The vote for presidential electors was then canvassed, with the following result: |