Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-27

ance OF absent senator's. 80 ordered.
After q brief discussion the vice presi-
dent announced a motion to adjourn
Mr.. Teller submitted the motion and the
vote resulted in yeas 4-Messrs. Dawes,
Cameron Penn J, Teller and WOodleigh;
nays 26, consisting of Democratic sena-
tors, and Patterson; Conover and Davis
illinois, did not answer to their names.
No quorum voting, Mr.. Whyte inquired
if the sergeant-st-arms had executed the
order of the senate. The Vice Presi-
dent reported that be had, but had no
means to compel attendance. Mr..
Whyte called for the reading of the rule,
which provides that no senator shall be
absent. without leave of the senate and
gives the sergesnt.st-srms power TO COM
pei the attendance of absent senators.
Mr.. Whyte-Does the sergsant-at.arms
report that he has notified absent sena-
tors2
Vice President-He does.
Mr.. Wsllsce-Let him make his report
in writing; We want the names Of sena-
tors. SO that the country may know
them.
Mr.. CoukliDg here entered and OBJ
jected to such q report. as nothing 10 the
rules authorized less than a quorum to
direct the sergesnt-st-arms to prepare a
list of sbsentees.
The Vice President directed a call Of
the roll, and thirty-seven senators an
swering, a quorum was announced pres.
ent.
a debate of an hour followed upon
questions Of order and what disposition
I should be made of the report Of the ser
geantat-arms. Finally, upon motion of
Mr. Edmunds all further proceedings
under the call we're suspended. At five
o'clock NJ. Wadleigh held the floor,
when the fact was developed that no
quorum was present. He resumed it
and called for a continuation of the
reading Of the testimony taken By the
committee Of the senate in South Caro-
lima a year ago.
Mr.. Thurman objected TO the further
reading of this testimony, and said that
it bad been the usage of the senate to
allow a senator 10 read almost any.
thing as part Of his speech, but that
usage had never been abused until to
night. He argued that the testimony
could not be read without leave Of the
senate. and demanded that the question
Of reading the testimony be submitted to
the senate.
Mr.. Wsdleigh said it was not gross
abuse TO lay before the senate evidence
absolutely necessary TO enable the sen
ate to judge Of this case. He wanted to
let the country know that IN this senate
a party soOght to seat a man whose
record would not bear examining.
Mr. Bsysrd held that testimony was
taken By the committee long before any
one had any idea that the present case
would come before the senate, and for all
just purposes Of this case the senator
might as well read Worcester Diction
airy. When be (Bsysrd) first came into
the senate there we're but nine senators
belonging to the party with which he
acted. They had never attempted dila.
tory motions, but had they acted 10 the
matter as witnessed to night the m%sjori,y
would have put them down.
Mr.. Edmonds asked IL the senator re
membered along about 1852, when Jefer-
son Davis and Soule and others occu.
pied the senate a whole night, having
messages Of the President read
Mr.. Bayard said be did not remember
that time, though it may have happened.
Mr.. Thurman withdrew his point Of
order, leaving it to the senator from New
Hampshire as to what testimony he
would have read.
Mr.. Wsdleigh then argued the facts in
the South Carolina case, aud said that
be could not help regarding this resolu.
ton as an attempt to carry, by force Of
numbers, that which could not be carried
by an investigation.
At 5:45 Mr.. Edmunds moved a recess
until =. Rej,cted-yeas %; nays rs.
Mr.. Wadlsigh resuming, said, be had
selected no testimony to be read which
did not bear directly upon the validity
Of the election in South Carolina.
At 6:l5 Mr.. Edmunds said It was now
daylight and time for the senators to
have a little breakfast, and be moved q
recess until 10 o'clock. Rejected-yeas
II; nays 20,
Mr.. Paddock moved to adjourn. Re.
~jected-yeSs 10; nays u.
! Mr.. Heron moved that the senate, sake