River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-03-21
CLOSING SCENES IN THE SENATE
AND HOUSE.

L
having nearly arrived, Vice-President
Colfox arose and addressed the Sena-
tors as follows:
! SENATORS The time fixed by the constitu-
| tion for the dissolution OF the AID Congress
has arrived, and with a few parting words
shall resign this gavel to the honored son OF
Massachusetts who has been chosen by the
people my successor. Administrations ter
inmate and congresses expire as the years pass
by, but the nation lives aud grows and pros
pers, 10 be served in future by those equally
faithful to its interest and equally proud Of
its growing influence among the nations OF
the earth. To be called by the re 1resenta-
tives Of the people and afterwards by
the people themselves to the RESPONSE
bic duty of presiding successfully over
the two houses Of Congress for the past
ten years, from an era of war, through the era
| of reconstruction TO an era OF peace, more
than fills the measure OF an honorable ambi-
| ton. Looking back over these ten exciting
years. can claim not only that | have COM
mitted no act which has proved the conf
dence misplaced that called me 70 this posi-
ton, but also that have striyen IN its official
duties TO administer the parliamentary law
with the same impartiakty with which the up
right judge upon the bench decides on ques-
tons Of life and liberty to faithfully protect
the rights Of the minority as well rs to uphold
the rights OF the majority ia the advance
mcnt OF public business ; to remain calm and
unmoved amid the excitements OF debate to
temper aud restrain asperties, and TO guard
against personal antagOnisms To perform ac-
ceptably the complex and often perIlexlng
duties Of the chair without partisan bias has
been my constant endeavor. II u gratifying,
therefore, that OF many hundreds of the decis.
ions made by me. often on the instant. none
have been reversed, and scarce any seriously
questioned. How much | owe TO the uniform
kindness and support of the members over
whom have presided is difficult to express IN
words. 10 has been bounded BY no party lines
and controlled byno political affiliations, and II
rejoice that have been able 10 attest my APP
probation OF this support while jealousy de-
Tending principles before the people. This de-
fence has never been coupled with personal
assaults on any of the eminent public men
with whom have differed No aspersions on
their character have dishonored my tongue,
no epithets or mvectiyes have fallen from my
lips.
But the Clerk admonishes ME that the
Forty second Congress has already passed
into history, and wishing you, Senators, use
tul lives for your country and happy lives for
yourselves, and thanking you for the reg9la-
tlOnspread on Your journal, aud invoking the
favor OF Him who holds the dcstiuies OF the
nations ana Of men in the hollow of HIS hand,
| am ready TO administer the oath Of Office TO
the Nlce-Presldent elect, whom now intro
duce to you.
Vice President elect Wilson, stand
ing at the Secretary's desk, then adj
dressed the Senate as follows:
SENATORS In assuming the position as
signed me by the voice Of the nation, am
not | rust uumndtnl OF the obj gatioBs It
imsosl s. a service here somewhat prolonged,
covering period crowded with great events,
and-an association here with nearly two huns
dred and thirty Senators, many OF them states
men of large and varied experience, have inn
pressed upon re exalted ideas Of the respon-
sIbllInes resting upon the account OF tins
chair under the rules of the Senate, parlia-
mentary law and the constitution Ia passing.
then, from the seat ! have held for more
than eighteen years 10 thus chair, | truss
! comprehend something CT its just require
matchmaking, too, Of the tone aud tenn
per Of the Senate. In presiding over your
deliberations. l shall ever strive 70 be free
from personal prejudice and partisan bias.
sense Of public duty and obligations OF per-
sonal friendship alike require that shall be
as considerate, as Just. aud as impartial as the
lot Of humanity permits. To the justice, gem
crosby and friendly regard Of the Senators, j
trust, fully for that counsel and encourage
ment, that fOrebearance and indulgence, which
/ am sure l shall often require a. your pre-
siding officer.
The retiring Vice President admins
tered the oath of Office to the Vice.
President elect, and then said 1.-The
time for the expiration OF the Forty
second Congress having arrived, 1 de
clare the Senate of the United States
adjourned sine die"
In the House, as the hands on the
dial of the clock were making rapid APP
proach to noon, the Speaker rose and
delivered his valedictory. He said:
GENTLEMEN: For the forty-second Tins
since the Federal Government was organized,
its great repre- INITIATIVE body stands on the eve
OF dissolution. The final word which separates
us Is suspended for mOnent that NAV re-
turn my sincere thanks for the kind expires
slons respecting my official c0nduct, which.
without division Of party, you have caused to
be entered on your journal at the close Of
four wears Of service in tina responsible and
often trying position. 1t is a source Of hon
orable pride that haze so administered nv
trust as to secure the confidence aud appro
baton Of both sdes Of the House. II Wonld
not be strange if, in the necessarily
rapid discharge Of daily business 1 should
have erred ia some OF the dici.
sions made on points unexpectedly arising.
and often without precedent to guide me- II
has been my good fortune, however TO be al
WAYS sustained ny the House. and in no sin
gle instance TO have had a ruling reversed, /
advert to this qualifying tact, % quote the
language OF the most eloquent of NV rrede-
cessors, q" IN no vain spirit Of emulation" but
as furnishing powerful motive for undisscn-
bcd graft ude. Aud now. gentlemen. with
hearty God bless you all, discharge my only
remaining duty in declaring that the Honse
OF Representatives. e the Forty-second. Com
gross is adjourned without day.
The remarks of the Speaker were
generally and heartily applauded on
the floor and in the galleries, and then
the members formed procession, with
the Speaker at their head, and went to
the Senate Chamber to participate in
the inaugural ceremonies
CHARLES BBADLAUGH, the great Eng
lish republican, is coming 20 this coun-