Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-29
Interesting Congregational Details.

TERMS OF MINNE5oTA SENATORS.
Mr.. BAYARD. The Committee of the
j Judiciary, to whom was referred resolution
of the Legislature of Minnesota in Joint con-
vention in favor Of Henry M. Rice represent
ing that State in the Senate of the United
States for the long term, have instructed me
to report resolution as to the mode OF pro-
ceedlng In this case, and ask for its present
considerations
Resoloed, That the Senate proceeded to
ascertain the classes in which the Senators
from the State of Minnesota shall be inserted,
in conformity with the resolution of the l4th
OF May, 1888, and as the Constitution re-
quires.
The resolution was considered BY unani-
nous consent and agreed to.
MIR. BAYARD. Now I ask that the order
accompany ing the resolution from the COM
n.ittees be read and considered
The Secretary read it, as follows:
Ordered, That the Secretary put into the
ballOt-box two papers of equal size, one of
which shall be numbered l, and the other
shall be blank. Each of the Senators from
the State of Minnesota shall draw out one
paper, and the Senator who shall draw the
paper numbered l, shall be inserted in the
class OF Senators whose term of service will
expire ON the Sd of March, 1859 that the
Secretary shall then put into the ballot-box
two papers OF equal size, one of which shall
he numbered 2, and the other shall be num-
bered 3. The other Senator shall draw out
one paper. If the paper drawn be numbered
2, the Senator shall be inserted in the class
OF Senators whose terms of service will ex-
pirc on the Sd day of March, 1861 and if
the papers drawn be numbered 3, the Sena-
tor shall be inserted in the class of Senators
whose term of service will expire the Sd day
Of March, 1868.
MIR. BAYARD. will merely state, on
behalf of the Cemmitte, that the request
made by the Legislature of Minnesota-t is
but requests entirely inconsistent with
the settled practice of the Government under
the resolution of the Senate in 1889, when
the Senate was first organized. The Com
mittee have seen no reason for changing the
practice. The Senate had then to determine
how they would classify Senators, and they
have always adhered to the practice then
adopted. The Constitution of the United
States authorizes the election of Senators
for six years. and provides for their classifica-
ton. In the first instance, in organizing the
Senate, they might do it in one of the two
modes-either by lot or by arbitrary deter
mnation. They decided that lot was the best
mode to do it; and thus the term is determed
on the first coming in of Senator; and that
has been the none of proceeding since the
origin of the Government
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Does the resolution
come from the Committee on the judiciary?
MIR. BAYARD. Yes, sir.
The resolution was considered by unanimous
consent, and agreed to.
The drawing having taken place, in con-
formity with the order of the Senate, the re-.
suit was thus announced.
The VICE PRESIDENT. Mr.. SHIELDS.
upon the first drawing, drew the paper No. l.
Consequently by the terms of the resolution
his name will be inserted in the class of Sem
ators whose term of service will expire on
tie Sd day of March, 1859. Two other pa
pors were then put in the box, in accordance
wilh the resolution of the Senate, and Mr..
RICE drew No. 3. His name will therefore
be inserted in the class of Senators whose
terms of service will expire on the Sd day of
March, 1863.
HON. HENRY M. RICE.
Mr.. RICE. I ask the consent of the Sem
ate to permit me to introduce a resolution,
notice Of which gave on the day before
yesterday 1t is calling for committee to
investigate charges urged by citizens of Iowa
through one of the Senators from that State.
[ have left a blank for the committee, and 1
would esteem it as favor if the honorable
Senator from Iowa would fill that blank, in
order that his constituents may have the
entire benefit to be derived from the inyesti.
cation.
The resolution was read, as follows:
Resolped, That - be committee to
investigate the charges preferred by certain
citizens OF Iowa, settlers upon the Fort Craw-
Ford reserve, as to the conduct of Henry nj.
Rice, special agent appointed by the Sec,e-
tary OF War to superintend the sale Of that
reserve. That said committee have power to
send for persons and papers, and to report by
bill or otherwise.
Mr.. GWIN. I move that the Chair fill
the blank with five Senators.
Mr.. TOOMBS. move to amend the res
olution SO as to refer the matter to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, with all the power
given in the resolution. l do not think it
necessary to appoint any special committee
upon this subject. So far as the facts are
concerned, the official papers are on the re-
cords of the Senate, disprovng by official
evidence, the specific charge made against
the Senator. L do not think it is matter of
sufficient consequence to give it the import
ance of special committee. The members
of the Military Committee, believe, can
examine the question if it be referred to them,
and let them investigate it.
Mr.. IVERSON. Mr.. President
Mr.. TRUMBULL. Will the Senator from
Georgia allow me to make suggestion?
Mr.. IVERSON. 1 merely wish to make
a suggestion myself and then you can make
yours. l desire that the amendment of nv
colleague shall not prevail, referring this
question to the Military Committee. have
the concurrence of the chairman in the OBJ
lection | make and 1 state to the Senate
that it is utterly impossible that the Commit
tee on Military Affairs could give any atten-
ton to it. They have now a pile of papers
on tt cir table which have accumulated
MIR. TOOMBS. That is q sufficient rea-
son. withdraw the amendment.
Mr. TRUMBULL. do not desire to in
terfere with the resolution, one way or anoth-
er; but the suggestion wished to make was
that the Senator from Iowa is not present,
and perhaps the resolution had better lie
over until he comes in, as he presented the
papers. will make no motion in regard to
it; but it struck me, perhaps that it would
be better to have him here.
Mr., RICE. L was not aware that the
Senator from Iowa was not in his seat, and
therefore ask that the resolution NAV lie over
until he shall be present.
The VICE PRESIDENT. If there be no
fhn
mally, until the Senator from Iowa is in his
seat.