Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-05
CongrHssio Hal Proceedings.
Washington, D. c.. March !
SENATE.


| President had no further communication tc
make to Congress.
A few minutes before ", the President
| elect escorted by Senator Cragin, chairman
Of the committee Of arrangements, and fol-
lowed by members Of the Cabinet entered the
chamber.
! Wee Presiden: Colfax then addressed TIC
| Senate as follow:
! Senators-The time fixed by the consttu-
ton for the dissolution Of the 42l Congress
has arrived, and with parting word | shall
resign this garyel to the honored son OF
massachusetts, who has been chosen as my
successor. Administrations terminate and
Congresses expire as the years pass by, but
the nation lives and grows and prospers, to
be served in the future by those equally faith
full to its interests, equally proud Of its grow
| ing influence among the nations Of the earth.
| To be called by the representatives OF the
people and afterwards by the people them
selves to the responsible duties Of presiding
| successfully over the two Houses of Con.
| gress for the past ten years, from the era OF
war through the era Of reconstruction TO the
era Of peace, more than fills the measure OF
an honorable ambition. Looking back owe,
these ten years, l can claim no. only
that have committed no act which has proved
| the confidence misplaced that called ne tc
THIS position, but also that have striven ir
its official duties to administer the parliamon
tary law with which the upright judgment on
! the bench decides in questions of life and
liberty, to faithfully protect the rights CT the
minority rs well "a to uphold the rights of
the majority, in the advancement OF public
business, TO remain calm and unmoved amid
the excitements of debate, and 10 guard
against personal ntagonisn, to perform ac-
certably the complex and often perpetuating
/ duties of the chair without partisan f4Yors,
has been my constant endeavor.
1t is gratifying, therefore, that Of the many
hundreds Of decisions made by me, often or
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 l have presided, is
difficult to express in words. 1t has been
bound by no party lines, and controlled by no
poltica. aft i'tions, and rejoice that have
been able TO attest my appreciation Of this
| support whiie zealously defending the pgin-
ciples before the people. This defence has
never been coupled with personal assaults on
any of the eminent public men with whom
have differed. No epithets or invectives have
fallen from my lips; but the clerk admonishes
me that the And Congress has already pase ed
INTO history, and wishing you Senators use
ful lives for your country and happy lives for
yourselves, and thanking you for the resolu-
tions spread on your Journal, and invoking
the favor of Him who holds the destinies Of
nations and OF men in the hollow of his hands,
| am ready TO administer the oath of office to
Wee President elect, whom l now introduce
to you.
The Vice President at the Secretary desk
then addressed the Senate:
SENATORS I'm assuming the position as
signed me by the voice OF the nation, am
not, trust, unmindtui of the obligation it
imposes. service somewhat prolonged
covering period crow ded with great events
and associations here with nearly $50 Sena-
tors, many of them statesmen OF large ard
varied experience, have impressed upon me
| exalted ideas of the responsibilities resting
upon the occupant CT this chair, under the
rules of the Senate, parliamentary Law, and
the constitution. In passing then from the
seat l have held for more than Is ' ears to
this chair, trust comprehend something OF
the tone and temper of the Senate. In pre-
siding over your deliberations l shall ever
strive to be free from personal prejudice or
partisan bias. sense of public duty and
the obligations of personal friendship alike
require that shall be as considerable, as just
and impartial, as the lot of humanity permit.
10 the justice, generosity, and friendly re-
gard of the Senase,I trust fully appeal for that
| counsel and Encouragement that forbearance
| aud indulgence which | am sure shall often
require as your presiding officer.
The retiring Vice President administered
| the oath of Office to the Vice President elect
| then said, ''Ihe time for the expiration of the
.2d Congress havin e arrived, | declare the
Senate of the United States adjourned
| Vice President Wilson then called the Sem
ate of the 43d Congress TO order, and an
| nounced his readiness to administer the oath
| of office to Senators elected to the 43d Con-
gress, and accordingly the following Senators
were sworn in: Mossrs. Allison. of Iowa.
| Bogy, of Missouri, Cameron, of Pennsylva,
Conkling, of New Yoak, Caaoror, Of Fiori-
| da, Dennys, of Maryland, Dorsey Il hrkan-
as, Howe, OF Michigan, ingalls,, Il Kansas.
NJ. c. Creary, of Kentucky, MITCHELL q O9e-
eon, Morrill,, of VI, Morton, of Indiana
| Oglesly of Illinois, Patterson, CT South Caro-
| lima, Sargent, of California, Sherman, II
Ohio aud Merrimon of North Carolina.
Owing to some inadYertancy, Mr.. Coax
| ling's credentials have not yet been received,
| but Mr.. Iiamlin remarked that the Senator'S
election was matter fpablc notoriety, and
| moved that the oath of Office be administered
| to him, which was unanimously agreed to.
| The Presidents proclamation convening
| the Senate in extra session at II O'Clock on
| Tuesday, was read. The procession then
formed and proceeded to the platform of the
central poriico OF the Capitol.
| At II 80 the Senate returnod to It's cham
| Der.
On motion Of Mr.. Anthony the hours for
daily meeting were fixed at IL o'clock. A
| committee of three were appointed to notify
the President that the Senate was ready to
receive any communication he might have to
make. The Senate then adjourned until
Thursday noon.
House..
Mr.. Banks from the committee on rules re-
ported bill increasing the standing commit
, ices from nine to thirteen This WAS amend
ed.
Resolutions were adopted, providing for
desks for members and better quarters for the
| families of the members.
Mr.. Acker, referring to the vote of thanks
| to Speaker Blaine at the last session, which
was reported as being unanimous, stated tina,
it was Misrepresentation, as he had voted in
the negative, and proceeded to justify that
vote on the ground of political and personal
partially. Excitement, noise, and cenfu'
! sion.I