Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-19

Sponurd. Senator from Louisiana, an
moved that SpoffOrd be sworn in
Senator Edmunds requested the Senate
to reduce the motion to writing and Sen
ator Thurman complied.
Senator Edmunds moved that the matte
lie over until tomorrow under the thirty
third rule, which he read as follows: Al
resolutions shall lie over one day for con
sideratlon unless by unanimous cOnsen
the Senate has otherwise directed.
Senator Withers. Of Virginia, read tn,
seventh rule, which provides that thu
presentation of the credentials OF sen
ators elect, and other questions o.
privilege shall always be in order, except
during the reading and correction OF the
journal, while the question OF order or mo-
ton to adjourn is pending or while the
Senate Is divided, and all questions and
motions arising or made upon presentation
OF such credentials shall be proceeded with
until disposed of by the Senate
Senator Edmunds said the theory Of the
$50 rule was that no matter Of Importance
should be disposed of without time for con
sderation.
After some debate the Vice President said
resolution of Senator Thurman was before
the Senate
Senator Mitchell. of Oregon. submitted a
rs a substitute resolution that the creden-
tiaIs of Spotiord claiming to be Senator
from Louisiana be referred to the commit
tee on privileges and elections.
Senator HOar inquired if the credentials Ct
the Louisiana claimants we're not referred
to the committee on privileges and elections
at the last session.
Senator Thurman replied, not those pre-
sented by him this morning.
The question being on the substitute of
Senator Mitchell. Senator Thurman said it
was not his purpose to go into argument
upon the question involved. Mr.. SpOford
had been duly chosen Senator, and every
thing was regular a. it possibly could be to
make prina facle case. 1t did seem to
him thst the gentleman was entitled to be
sworn IN, there being no controversy ~ to
the manner of his electiL n or the title of the
Governor who certified to his election. He
supposed the time had come when not only
Louisiana but the United States would be
freed from further trouble about her inter-
nal affairs.
Senator COnkling argued that the creden-
tials OF Kellogg were referred to the COM
mittee OF privileges and elections at the last
session. Mr. Kellogg came here with papers
claiming that he had been elected Senator,
and the papers to attest the claim were re-
itiitu " tut II tuty httt-L
his claim, then the present claimant had no
footing whatever. The credentials Of Kellogg
had not fallen because the Senate had taken
Il recess since they were presented and re-
ierred. 1t was Il question of importance
then, and some new circumstances had been
brought into 1t since, which in the language
OF distinguished maj, enlarged the
area OF debate" and now the Senate
was TO be confronted with the whole matter
without having one day for consultation a.
1t could have upon the most paltry bill,
1t the chair had correctly interpreted the
9TH and 33rd rules. the committee on rules
should be hasty in changing the rules 50 a. to
give the same time to consideration of lmpOr-
tant matter, as is given to the mos. trivial
lie took II for granted that many Senators
would desire to give their reasons for their
votes on this question and the Senate was
now called upon to exercise high Judicial
power should have the same advantage for
consideration as a court or any minor
tribunal
Senator Edmunds agreed that if the con-
struction placed upon the seventh rule by
the Nlct-Presldent Was correct. any sena-
tor, at any time would be at the mercy OF
the committee, with an arbitrary majority |
at its back.
Senator EdmundS to the words in the 7th |
rult-"and all questions and motions aris- |
ing or made upon presentation of such ere
dentials. shall be proceeded with until dis |
posed of by the Senate
After lengthy debate the resolution of |
Senator Thurman was laid over until tC
morrow.
Senator Eimunds submitted a resolution |
that the committee on privileges and cleo
tions be discharged from further considera
ton of the credentials OF Kellogg.
At the request OF Senator Thurman the |
subject was laid over until tomorrow.
Senator Grover. at his own request, was
excused from further service on the Com
mitiee on enrolled bills.
On motion of Senator Morrill, a r. solution
filling vacancies in committees as follows,
was agreed to: Matthews and Wallace on
foreign relations; Cameron on military at
fairs and public buildings and grounds
on railroads; Grover on ori-
vate land claims Armstrong on enrolled
bills. Senator Ferry was made chairman of
the committee on pOstofhces and post-roads
in place of Senator Hsmlin, VINO retains
a place on that committee, and Senator
llamlin was made chairman of the COM
mittee on foreign relations, in place Of
Senator Morton, who retains his old place
A. chairman of the committee on privileges
and elections.
Senator Morrill, stated it was the wish of
the senator from Indiana that this latter
change be made.
The Senate after executive session ad
lOurned until tomorrow.