New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-03

Eeethis motion
QdiDg officer Of
90. We are not
dent of the Sen
ke-, toforc rightfully
I've are. debating
.re., him a power that
te. 1t is casting no
1ay.eident Of the Senate
PRIMO more than it Is an
~ Governor OF the State
The do not propose to make
an5n this subject, especially
nix that ! can change the
20 rator l consider that the
ST. lave already been taken on
are test votes; and that the
PM simply wish to remark that
me !nen who support this motion, are
E:sic5cntlemen that have received ;p-
ats as ciiairmen OF the most llnpOr-
i,mmittees OF the Senate. For my
safe might very consistently favor the
t,,.r away from you, Mr.. President,
power OF appointing committees. lou
n et never given me any committee. ana
ave never asked you for any and believe
hat what you have done in heway OF ap-
= pointing committees WIS, i'll your OPINION.
the best You could do for the interests OF
the State Senators belonging to both the
Democratic and Republican parties have
complimcpted you for the manner III when
YOU have discharged the duties incumbent
upon YOU. ! say again that tins Is Il matter
OF indifference to ne personally: ito not
supposc | will he elected chairman
of any committee by the Senate. and |
do not look for II and perhaps you would
not appoint me if You had the power. 1t Is
surprising to me that Senator Campbell
should make this motion: If it came from
any BODY ont in the cold it would look diff
ferent. but coming from that gentleman 1t
is remarkable. | want to place myself on
record as being il favor OF keeping the
power OF appointing committees III the
hands of the presiding officer OF the Senate.
If that was a good 1ule in 1864 and 1870. it
is'a good rule now.
Mr.. Ray: j; seems that Mr.. Campbell has
been examining this matter. suspecting. l
suppose that a departure from this rule
would require a precedent. | have been a
member of the State Senate more than
twenty wears ago. and do not think that
this rule has ever before been departed
from since ] have been connected with
it. The gentleman has produced jour
nal of the Senate when there was no Lieu
tenant Governor at all. The constitution
of 1915. first authorized the election OF
Lieutenant Governor, and previous to that
time, the Senate elected its own President
1t is probable that the Senate may have
elected some committees ut that time: but
that is no prece,en, for this case. Another
point to which l wish TO call the attention
of the Senate, is that the rule of the
United States Senate has always been
that the Vice President should appoint
the chai,men OF the different committees
There is no person So well situated as the
presiding officer OF the Senate to know the
whole personnel of that body. He looks at the
| whole Senate. ard he understands the fit
ness and capacity of every man for any
particular position. Now, as Il matter OF
principle, think it will b. decidedly to the
| interest OF the Senate that the committees
should he appointed by the President: for
the reason. as said before. that he knows
| the whole p,rsonacl of the Senate. We have
! the highest and best guaranty that his APP
| pointnents viii give the salue satisfaction
| as before.
| The suggestion has been made by the
| honorable Senator that the new members
| should have something to say i'll the making
| of the rules. | do. not think that they
| should be consulted more than the old
members. In the appointment of the COM
mitteeS have 10 doubt that the new mem
| bers will he consulted as much as the old.
! desire TO place myself upon record in my
proper position. ] feel perfectly confident
| that the public interests will be furthered
| hv the President OF the Senate keeping
| this power OF appointing committees
| in his hands He understands the personal
character ard capacity of every Senator,
| and he car group them together according
to that understanding. AS q matter of
| principle. therefore. | oppose this innova-
| ton that is proposed to be made.
| The resolution OF Mr.. Campbell was
| carried.
The Senate then adjourned.