New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-06

is very honorable and respectable mani,
that since you have presided over this body
you have been just and honest, and honor
able in the discharge Of your duties, and
have performed them to the entire satisfac-
ton OF everybody, am certain that there
is no other Senator on this floor who will say
the reverse. challenge any Senator to get
up and stake his reputation on the assertion
that you have not faithfully and impartialiy
discharged the duties incumbent upon you
for the last three years. Why is it. then,
that this resolution is brought forward
now! l have heard but one reason as
signed for it. and that is that majority of
the Senate have the power to pass it. and
are going to carry it through. Well, do
not deny their right or their power to do
SO; but l think that every man that
has the true inter SITS Of the State
at heart ought to consider well before
voting on this measure. They ought not to
exercise the power they have arbitrarily.
Cam any man believe that the Senate will
be able to elect standing committees that
Will represent the interests Of the State as
we'll us if they were appointed by the pre-
siding officer, whose duty it is to study the
fitness Of every member of the Senate tor
each particular position! Certainly not.
Now, it is true that the Senate of the
United States has adopted {: different rule
from that adopted by this Senate. / AIN
not certain. but believe that the United
States Senate has adopted q rule to elect.
the chairmen Of the different committees.
but do not think that that body elects the
balance OF the members OF the committees.
1t is not necessary for me to 30 ;nt., Il his.
tory OF the United States Senate to find the
reason why this was done. Some years ago
there happened 20 be u Vice President Of
the United States who held different poE:.
ica! views from those ct the Senate. and a
contest arose between .hem. II wa. at that
time that the Senate adopted this rule, and
i, has been in force ever since.
do not suppose that anything ear say
o: any argument ! can use can change q
single vote in the Senate. 1t is not for tina:
purpose that ! speak, but my object :s to
bring this matte. properly before the SEP.
ate. and in oydc: that the motive Of .Ai.
measure may disclose Itself. have not :.
word {" cay in reference ~ the Democratic
Senators. They have !. perfect right ~ vote
as they please. and ii they can
promote their party interests by acting with
one side or with che other. they nav. -
tight to d" SO. But hope that they vii.
no: assist any party ia ,;epartin: from
smlncmorial III the Senate. and which: are
calculated topromotc the tue interests OF
the State. The organization al com
mittees is y matte. OF The very creates. I'm
portancc. All the bills that appear before
the Leg isiatu:.' .vc referred - she
prope. committees: and those COM
mittees examine Them. tut them IL
proper shape. an! recommend :hc;-
passage or rejection. IN tac:. the RIOS:
OF the legislation is done in the committees.
and hence j; becomes = matter OF import.
ance that those committee should I've Or
gained with a view 10 :he public Interest.
and should groH, together men that a'.
skilled in the ditiegen: professions and pg:.
s:iit.. No man ..ccNpies !. position that viii
enable him to Seicce the members OF com.
nlittees properly. cNccp: the presiding "ifi-
c"r. who has II" vote except wiit.H there = Z.
80. and VIII" has only 20 see that the buS;
Eess ~: Che Scnat" j. properly transacted.
The an1en,lineL: q: Mr.. Fish was !a!.! OE
Ii. cable.