Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-03-13
CLOSING SCENES IN THE SENATE
AND HOUSE.
Speeches OF the Retiring and Incomin
Vlcc-Dresldents, and speaker Blaine

6xNATOES :-Ilo time 6Xod by the cOnetltu-
tion for the dissolution Of the 42d Congress
shall resign this gavel to the honored son Of
Massachusetts who has been chosen by the
people my successor. Administrations tar-
inmate and eonsresses expire - the years pats
by, but the nation lives and grows and pros
pers, to be served 10 future BY those equally
its growing influence among the nations OF
tho earth. To bo callod by the representa-
tives Of the people and afterwards by
the people themselves to the RESPONSE
bic duty sof presiding successfully over
the two houses Of Congress for the past
ten years, from an era Of war, through the era
than fills the measure Of an honorable ambi-
tion. 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 to this posi-
ton, but also that have striven in its official
with the sarae impartiality With which the up.
right judge upon tho bench decides on ques-
tions Of life and liberty to faithfully protect
the rights of the minority as we'll as to uphold
the rights Of the majority in the advance
ment OF public business to remain calm and
nnmoved amid the excitements OF debate to
against personal antagonisms. To perform &C.
ceptably the complex and often perplexing
duties Of the chair without partisan bias has
been my constant endeavor. It il gratifying,
therefore, that Of many hundreds Of the decis.
ions made by me, often on tho instant, none
have been reversed, and scarce any seriously
qnestioned. How much owe to the uniform
whom have presided 10 difficult to express in
words. 1t has been bounded BY NO party lines
and controlled by no political afhliations, and
rejoice that have been able to attest my ap-
probation OF this support while jealously de-
Tending principles before the people. This de,
assaults on any Of the eminent public men
with whom have differed. No aspersions on
their character have dishonored my tongue,
no epithets or mvectives have fallen from my
lips.
But the Clerk admonishes me that the
Forty:second Congress has already passed
into history, and wishing you, Senator's, use
full lives for your country and happy lives for
yourselves, and thanking you for the resolu.
tion:spread on your journal, aud invoking the
favor Of Him who holds the destinies of the
nations ana Of men in the hollow Of His hand,
am ready to administer the oath OF Office to
the Vice-President elect, whom now intro
duce to you.
Vice-P President elect Wilson, stand
ing at tho Secretary's desk, then ad.
dressed the Senate q follows:
SENATORS: In assuming the position A.
not, truet. unmindful OF the obligations it
imposes. A service hero somewhat prolonged,
covering period crowded with great events,
aud an association here. with nearly two hum
dred and thirty Senators. many Of them states
men OF large and varied experisnce, have i'm
pressed upon me exalted ideas OF the respon-
abilities resting upon the account OF this
chair under the rules Of the Senate, parlia-
mentary law and the constitution. In passing,
then, from the seat have held for, more
I comprehend something Of its just require
too, Of the tone and tenn
per OF the Senate. In presiding over your
/ shall ever strive to be free
from personal prejudice aud partisan bias. A
sense Of public duty and obligations of per-
sonal friendship shke require that shall be
lot cf Humanity permits. To the Justice. gen.
erosity and friendly regard Of the Senators, I
trust; fully for that counsel and encourage.
ment, that forebearance and indulgence, which
am sure shall often require ~ your pre-
siding officer. H., ...
The retiring Vice. President admins
tered the oath of Office to the Vice
President elect, and thenraid: 1.-THE
time for. the expiration of the, Forty
second Congress having arrived, l de-
clare the Senate Of the United States
sine die" -. "f:
In the House, as the hands ca the
dial Of the clock were making rapid ap-
proaeA to noon, the Speaker rose aud
delivered his valedictory. He said: IL
GENTLEMEN: For the forty-second time
since the Federal Government was organized,
its great representative body stands on the eve.
~0ntS0 AnA - kAA
rs is suspended for moment that may re-
turn my sincere thanks for the kind express
nons respecting my official conduct, vhichs
without division Of party, you have caused to
be entered on your Journal ut the close Of
four years Of service in this Responsible and
often irving position: i il , source Of hon on
trust as to secure the confidence and appro-
baton of both slider Of the House. It would
not be strange il, in the necessarily
rapid discharge of daily business, I should
have erred in some Of the dici-
sions made on points unexpectedly arising,
and often without precedent to guide me. It
ways sustained ny the House. and in no sim
gle instance to have had ruling reversed. I
advert to this qualifying tact, to quote tho
of the m"st eloquent Of my yrede-
cessors, " in no vain spirit Of emulation,' but
- furnishing powerful motive for undissem-
Died gran u00. ana nov, eentIemen, with
hearty God Bless you al, l discharge my only
remaining duty in declaring that the House
Of Representatives 1f tho Torty-seeond Con.
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 inaupnral ceremonies,