Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-04-16
TELEGRAPHIC.
Owing to a Sisters Illness, Flee~
President Wheeler has to
Leave the Chair.
The Democrats Narrowly Escape
EIecting a Republican,
But Thurman Finally Elected
Chairman Pro TEN of the
Senate.
Chalmers, the Rebel Brigadier;
Pines for Some Reputation,
And Demands an Investigation of
His Fort Pillow Record.
The Contest for KelIogg's Seat in
the Senate Brewing.
XLVI CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Anril Is

The Secretary of the Senate be-
fore reading the journal read a note
from Vice President Wheeler sta
ting that he had received a telegram
advising him of the dangerous ill
ness of a sister, and summoning
him home, and that it would
be necessary for the Senate to elect
a President pro TEN. The Secre-
tary asked what is the pleasure of
the Senate. Mr.. Davis, of West
Virginia, said that as there was
comparatively but a small number
of the Senators in attendance he
hoped there would be a delay Of
proceedings in order TO enable the
absentees to arrive. At the sug-
gestion of Mr.. Wallace, the Senate
took an informal recess. 1t was
discovered that at the time the note
was read that there were a larger
number of Republican than Demo-
cratic members present. A mes
senger was dispatched for Mr.. Thur
man, whom the Democrats intended
to elect President pro tempore.
At 1920, however, that gentle
man entered the chamber, he hav-
ing been on his way to the Capitol
while the messenger was in search
of him
The Senate having resumed its
session Mr.. Bayard offered the fol~
lowing resolution: Ree0lUed, That
in the absence of the Vice President,
Hon. A. G. Thurman be, and he is
hereby chosen President of the
Senate pro tempore. Mr.. Anthony
moved to strike out the name of
Thurman and insert that Of Hon.
Thos. w. Ferry. This amendment
was disagreed to, yeas Is, nays %,
and the resolution then passed. Mr..
Thurman was then conducted to the
chair by Mr.. Ferry, the former re-
marking to the latter on his way
thither, "Turn about is fair play
Mr.. Thurman, on taking the chair,
said: Senators, it is only neces-
sary for me to say in fewest possible
words, l sincerely thank you for
this mark of your confidence"
The Journal of yesterday was
then read.
The Army bill was called up.
Mr.. Logan addressed the Senate de-
nouncing the proposed legislation as
bad in itself, and as being attempted
by unparliamentaay practices. He
defeneed the use of the veto power,
quoting President Pierce's message
in 1853, to show that the Demo
cratic doctrine had then
guarded the independence
of the Executive as a wholesome
check on legislation. He declared
that a system of terrorism prevailed
in the South, which is now resulting
in the migration therefrom of a
people whose labor is necessary to
the cultivation of the fields. He
alleged that the Democrats expected
by this legislation to fraudulently
control the election for the next
President.
Mr.. Beck followed. The South
to>day was represented by men who
were peers of any gentlemen on the
other side, The Democracy was
warned of the appeal to Caesar.
They intend to appeal to the people
before Caesar comes-before the
Rubicon is crossed and the cry is,
"alea .jactata est.'' 1t is to prevent
Caesar from coming that they
desire the soldiers to be taken
from the polls. Mr.. Beck continued
at considerable length, defending
the Democratic party from the accu-
sations of its opponents, and de-
clared they were true friends to the
colored race. He urgued earnestly
against the danger of relying on the
army to enforce the laws, saying
that the best warrant for making
and maintaining just laws was en-
public opinion.
HOUSE.