The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-03-30
CJtyNE,,. 1889
cONGHEsssONAL.s

WAsHrSarox, Marehoss 4SEsArE.--A letter
was received iron, theaS iees sRnesident, in when
he stated il was his intention "a be absent our-
ing the remainder Of the session, and 10 order 70
afford opportunity fol- tho Election Of a Vice
President tro te,ii, he odesiFed this fact TO be
made known0a8 ISL ssa saisak 4 sds -
On motion Of Mr.. Hale, Hon, Solomon Foot
was unanimously chosen President pro tenn
Mr.. Foot, OH being Conducted to the Chair,
made few pertinent rsmarks. ii~- nsi'u
On motion of Mr.. W,lsop.a committee was
appointed to communicate the election OF Ar.
Foot to Vice President Hamln
Mr.. Wade presented the credentials OF John
Sherman of Ohio, elected in place of Mr.. Chase.
Mr.. Sherman was qualified and took his seat.
Mr.. Hale moved to take up his resolution Tor
the election of officers-agreed to, % against l3
Messrs. Bright and Breckinridge spoke in ia
vor Of postpOnement, ON account OF small at
tendance and other reasons. m gs 50.
Mr.. Breckenridge said. if that resolution was
carried into effect, the offices would be distri-
buted as the rewards for partizan service. 1t
was fagitious and mischievous system, and
would ultimately breakdown any government on
earth.
Mr.. Hale, with due respect said the Senator
was not justified in the inference that there
would be a general sweep. For one, he would
be extremely sorry to see this done; but il would
not be strange if the list of subordnatcs should
require little examination and supervision
Abuses may have crept in. If so, he hoped they
would be corrected, and the faithful subordinates
let alone. 3Ea pi ~ sesHE q hf'
a Mr.. Bright opposed tae resolution.
Mr.. Fessenden did not desire to make gen.
eral change of officers The most of them were
entirely acceptable; a'few might be removed. /.
Mr.. Clingmn opposed a new selection, re-
marking that he neither now nor heretofore
knew the political opinions OF any OF the subor-
dnates. Many persons are now here to get for
eign missions; il they could not get these they
want to be Sergeant-st Arms. &
Mr.. Douglas said political prescription was to
be practiced for the first time in the Senate to
the public injury and decentralization. He had
hoped the Senate would be spared the degrada-
tion brought upon other branches of the Govern
ment js.et ..s,4 +.,s-
Mr.. Nesmith recognized the doctrine, "to the
yictors belong the spos." Considering the exi-'
gencies of the country he would turn the Federal
bayone Is against the Office seekers. sl:a52
Mr.. Powell moved to take up Mr.. Hale's reso-
luton, heretofore offered, providing for the ad-
journment of the Senate sine die to day. 1t is
evident the majority instead of transacting the
business of an Executive session, for which they
were convened, go in for miserable scramble
for the spoils The Republicans for the first
.ime were attempting to bring the contest for
place into the Senate chamber. He looked on
these things as despicable enough to destroy any
government on earth He would not lend his
presence to such degrading work.
Mr.. Trumbuli replied, the Senator complained
that they did not transact business; but bow
could they when he aud his friends were contin-
usily making 'dlatory motions, and calling for
the yeas and nays to waste time.
Mr.. Powell responded, by saying the good,
true and luyal men Of the South scorn the offices,
and don't want them. Executive session and
adjourned err