Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-29
IN SENATE OF THE U. STATES.
MARCH 4, 1897.
.The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

"By virtue Of the power vested in me by
the Constitution, hereby convene the Sem
ate of the United States TO meet in the Sen.
alto Chamber, on the 4th Of March next, at
10 o'clock in the forenoon, to receive any
communication the President of the Uni.
ted States may think it his duty to make.
ANDREW JACKSON.
"Deccmber 20, 1885,"
In conformity with the above recited
summons from the President of the Uni.
ted States, the Senate assembled in their
Chamber in the City of Washington.
PRESENT:
Richard M. Johnson, Vice President Of
the United States and President of the SEN
ate, and every Senator from every Stale
in the Union, except one, Mr.. Mckinley,
of Alabama,) being fifty one in num-
ber.-The new members present were
From Indiana, Oliver II. Smith.
From Illinois, Richard NJ. Young.
From Ohio, William Allen.
From Maine, Ruel Williams.
From Connecticut, Perry Smith.
The oath prescribed by the Constitution
was administered to the Vice President of
the United States, and by him to the new
Senators, and those old ones reelected, ex.
ccpt Mr.. Sewer, of Arkansas, the consider
alton Of whose credentials of appointment
by the Governor, (as TO fill the vacancy oc.
casioned by the expiration of his own term,)
was postponed to Monday.
MONDAY, March 6.
On motion of Mr.. Tallmadge, it was
Ordered, That committee be appoint
cd to wait on the President of the United
States, and notify him that the Senate is
assembled. and ready to receive any com.
munications he may be pleased 10 make
them.
Mcssrs. Tallmadge and Crittenden were
appointed accordingly.
The credentials of Mr.. Sewer, appoint
ed as Senator from Arkansas, was refer
red to the Committee on the Judiciary (re-
newed as of the last session.)
Mr.. Tallmadge, from the above commit.
tee, to wait or the President of the United
States, reported that they had performed
that duty, and the President had replied that
he would make communication to the Sen.
ate tomorrow.
After some time spent in Executive Blu.
siness,
The Senate adjourned till tomorrow.
VICE PRESIDENT.
The Senate met on Saturday at 10 o..
clock, and was called to order by Mr.. King
of Alabama.
Richard M. Johnson, Of Kentucky, Vice
President elect, was conducted to the Sec.
retary's table by Mr.. Grundy, and the oath
to support the Constitution of the United
States having been administered to him,
Mr.. King vacated the Chair, and Mr..
Johnson took his scat as President Of the
Senate, and Vice President of the United
States.
The following were his remarks on the
occasion:
Gentlemen of the Senate: In entering
upon the discharge ofthe duties ofthc pre-.
siding officer ofthis body, the necessity of
addressing its members has been very much
lessened, if not superseded, by the oppor.
tunty afforded me Of presenting some Of
my sentiments when accepted the situa-
ton.
cannot, however, premit the present
occasion 10 pass without again rendering to
you my grateful acknowledgements for the
honor conferred upon me by your choice.
There is not, in my opinion, upon this
globe, a Legislative body more respectable
and more exalted in character, than the
Senate Of the United States; and there is
not, perhaps, deliberativc assembly exis-
ting where the presiding officer has less
difficulty in preserving order. This facility
is attributable principally to two causes the
intelligence and patriotism of the members
who compose the body, and that personal
respect and courtesy which have always
been extended from one member to another
in its deliberations. These qualities have
a tendency to produce a unity of design,
and mutual confidence, in the ultimate
object of all, whatever difference Of opinion
may exist in relation to the means ofgnining
the common end; and inculcate that senti-
ment of equality among the members which
constitutes the essential principle Of our free
institutions, and which will never cease to
animate body so enlightened as this.
These reflections have mitigated the intense
anxiety ofmind, and well founded apprchen.
sions, arising from consciousness Of my
own deficiency of qualifications to preside
over this elevated body.
In the exercise of the powers conferred
upon me by the Constitution, it shall be my
effort to pursue that course of conduct which
has recommended me 10 the consideration
of my fellow ci,izens--a faithful discharge
of my public duties to the extent of my abiI.
ities, and nj manner that shall seem best
calculated to give satisfaction to all. Con-
templating the duties and ceremonies of this
day. it might be considered improper in me
to consume any moro ofyour time by adj
verting 10 other subjects, however relevant
to the new position which Inow occupy. l
shall, therefore, close my remarks by in.
forming the Senate that am now ready to
proceed with the business for which we are
assembled.
FarcrcH Address of Andreao Jackson and
Inaugural address Of Martin Van Buren,