Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-09
Senate proceed forthwith to the choice Of President

Senate proceed forthwith to the choice OF President
pro tempore.
Mr. SEWARD before proceeding with the election de-
sired have the views of Senators in regard to the effect
Of the appontment-whether it to be absolute APP
ponment ola President pro tpo and what the tenure
Of the office. His opinion that there could be
but person the time holding the Office Of Pre-
sdent pro tpore of the Senate and that that person win
hold his Office until it shall again constitutonay become
vacant; that in Of vacancy occurring in the
Office Of President Of the United States the person to
be chosen to fill the Office Of President Of the Senate would
succeed To that high trust and become the Chief Execu
tive Magistrate Of the United States.
Mr.. PETIT. That is the way we understand it.
Mr.. SEWARD. Then it is so understood.
Mr.. BAYARD said he did not consider that there
any necessity for determining what the effect of the
luton to elect presiding officer of the Senate would be
with regard to suppostous events which might occur
hereafter The proposition simply to elect presd-
ing officer 1t was probable that he might agree with
the Senator from New York that there could not be two
Presidents at time but there was need OF en-
terpg into these questions The officer to be elected
for the purpose of conducting the business Of the Senate
and he would leave such questions to the future
The resolution then agreed to without dissenting
voice.
The Senate then proceeded to ballot The whole num-
Der of given 3d. of which number Mr. BRIGHT
received "a, Mr.. CHASE 6, Mr.. DAWSON 2, Mr. Foor 2
Mr. BADGER /.
Mr. BRIGHT having been declared duly elected was
escorted to the Chair by Messrs SHIELDS and JONES' Of
Iowa, when he addressed the Senate as follows:
SENATORS: The result just announced devolves upon
important responsibilities, and, were it not for my in
innate acquaintance and knowledge Of those with whom
to be associated in their discharge should hesitate
about accepting Nine years service in this body, how
ever has famiarized me somewhat with Its rules and
usages and particularly with that spirit of kindness and
forbearance uniformly observed and pracsed by one
member towards another which, let you
in small degree to lessen the embarrassment should
otherwise feel In attempting preside your dbe-
raons In accepting this trust Senators, permit me to
say hat which hope would have been taken for granted
l.:t.
shall be employed in promoting the public interests by
impartial discharge Of the duties belonging the appoint
ment you have just conferred Less than this would be
n6delity the Constitution and the country and be-
raya that confidence you have generously reposcd
in me- For this unsolicited manifestation Of your friend
ship and regard offer You my grateful acknowledge
ments
On motion by Mr. SLIDELL, 50 much Of the 35th rule
of the Senate relates to the appointment of the stand
ing committees suspended and the following resolu
ton agreed to- viz:
Realized That the several standing committees existing
the adjournment Of the Senate the h Of August last be
appointed with exception of such vacancies may have
been caused by the fact of member Of said committees
having ceased to be member Of the Senate and that the
President pro tem be authorized to fill such vacancy.
Clerks having been asked for by the chairmen of the
following standing committees, they were seyeraly
thorized to appoint the same The Committees of Claims,
Pensions Judiciary, Private Land Claims, Foreign Rela
tions, Public Lands, Patent Office, Commerce, Finance,
and Revolutionary Claims.
RESOLUTIONS AGREED TO.
On motion by Mr.. FOOT,
ResoIced That the Committee Commerce be instructed
inquire into the expedency Of making appropriation for
the construction of marine hospital at Burlington Vermont
On motion b. Mr.. WELLER,
Resoued That the President Of the United States be
quesed if not Incompatible with the public interest to
the Senate copies Of all instructions and
spondence between the different Departments of the Govern
and Major General WOOL commanding the Pacific dvi
sion Of the army regard to his operations that coast
On motion by Mr. SEWARD,
Resolved That the committee the subject Of the
Pacific Railroad appointed at the last session. be continued
during the present session. except where vacancies have
CURED by the retirement of member and that the Pres
dent of the Senate have power to fill such vacancies.
On motion by Mr.. CHASE,
Resoced That the Committee Commerce be instructed
to inquire into the expedency Of constructing marine hos
pital at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Notices of bills were given by Messrs BROWN BROD-
HEAD, WELLER, CASS, CHASE and DODGE, of Iowa,
the titles of which were unfortunately mislad by the
Reporter.
The Senate then adjourned.