The New York herald., 1879-02-26
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
SENATE.
III

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 1879
The session of the Senate of yesterday was con.
tinued up to the hour Of twenty-five minutes to five
this morning. The bill under consideration was the
to prevent the introduction of contagious DIS
eases. Before midnight it was observed that q
quorum was not present, and after a prolonged de-
bate on parliamentary points touching the power of
the Senate to compel the attendance of its members
the Sergcant-at-Arms directed to request the
attendance of Senator's. long lime of weary wait
ing followed. and at quarter to three O'Clock A. NJ
a roll call on n motion for adjournment disclosed
the presence Of less than quorum, there being only
yeas and % nays. Shortly afterward the Sergeant
alarms presented the following report
To TIM ,pREslpENr OF THE sESArB:-
SIR-In obedience to the second order OF the
Senate In regard the attendance Of absent mem
bers, messengers communicating the command of
the Senate have waited upon senators Davis OF West
Virginia; Conkling, salisbury, Bainc Mcdonald,
Davis. Morrill,. Dawes and Anthony have reported in
ancc; senator Conkling would give assurance of
attendance; Senators Mcdonald and Patterson were
found at their lodgings sick. and Senators Biyard.
Batler, Hamlin. Barnum and Chandler did not open
their doors. Other messengers have not reported
JOHN II FRENCH, Sergeant at Arms.
Mr.. EpMuSps tsotto voce)-That's what you call
compelling the absentces, is it?
Mr.. Harms. dcm.) of Tenn. inquired il the Senate
had not power under the constitution and its own
The PRESIDING OrrIcER-That is for the Senate to
decide. The Scrgcant-at-Arms has made his report.
Mr.. HARRIs-But has he executed his order?
Mr.. CocKRErI, tien.) Of Mo.-He is in process Of
executing IL now.
Mr.. HARms-very we'll II he needs more time
mako no complaint.
The PRESIDING OrrrcrR-Thc Sergcantat-Arms de-
sires to know IL IL is his duty to force IL
upon applying ut the residence of Senator he is
fused admit
Mr.. ANTHONY, rep.) of r. l. (sarcasticaliy)-I sug-
pf efpvvis in, vb
use OF the military has not been prohibited.
MIR. ANTHONY then inquired whether the Senator
from Tennessee mr. Haris) would have the Sergeant
at-Arms intrude into the chambers of Senators aud
take them by force.
Mr.. HAaRIs replied that no Senator had The right
TO absent himself from the transaction of public
business IL he did so without leave the senate had
power under the constitution aud the rules COM
pei his attendance; and IL this required invasion
Of his residence the power should be exercised.
Mr.. MORGAN. tdcni) of Ala, said he desired to pre-
sent to the attention OF the senate the of Sem
ator Conkling, who would give no assurance of at
tendance and to inquire how long tho senate of the
United States should have to wait for the attendance
of that senator. He moved that tho Sergcart.a at
Arms be instructed to bring Mr.. Conkling into tho
not heard of any other Senator who had defed the
power OF the Senate and refused to comply with its
demand. lie wished to know IL man should
dominate the Senate or should the Senate exercise
it's authority.
Mr. EAroS, (dem.) of Conn. thought IL was not
proper to single out Senator in this way. Hwouid
bs better to make general order 10 enforce the at
tendance of all Senator's able to be here.
Mr.. HARnis agreed with him, and moved to amend
Mr.. Morgans resolution accordingly. .fhf s. !
Mr.. HERMAN, tdem,) Of N. Y. expressed his belief
that none Of tho Senator'S who had not yet arrived