Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-25
FORTY-sIXTH CONGRESS.
WASulSGToS, March "a.
Senate.
Extra Session.


Mr.. Wallace presented the memorial Of ex.
superintendent of census Kennedy. show ing
what he considers the defects in the bill for
/ taking the next census.
Nr. Beck introduced bill for the settle
mont of accounts with certain railroad com
/ panicS
The vice president laid before the senate
communication from the postmaster general
asking for additional appropriations for pay
! OF letter curriers'; also from the secretary of
the interior enclosing request from the com
missioner on education, asking the appropria-
ton of s23.Gi0 be made for the payment of
clerk, in his bureau.
Referred to the c0mmittc on education.
Several additional bills were introduced.
among them one by Mr.. Harris to prevent
the Introduction ard spread OF infectious dis
eases.
Placed on the calendar.
The senate took up and pa sed II resolution
introduced by Mr.. salisbury, calling upon
the secretary Of the treasury to furnish clab-
crate information concerning negotiation OF
| ntrG State. securities amount, interest
pald, etc.
Mr. Wallace moved that the senate pro-
cccd t. the election of officers of the senate.
Mr.. Anthonv said hc didn't expect 10 pre-
vent such election. as it was Il foregone con
elias ion. although against usagcs and prcccd-
cnt, Of the senate. He spoke in cuogistic
terms OF the present incumbents, who were
not t" be removed for inability or want of
character. but because the party demanded
change.
Mr.. Conkling said tbs was the first time
in history that majorit, insisted on removal
without cause Of officers of the senate that
they might put their own iayoritcs in their
places.
Mr.. Hayard said lac didn't understand any
,uch slaughter of innoccnts was contemplate
ed a. feared by the minority. For years the
patronage of this government has been en-
ploycd not to benefit the country, but to sub
serve the cause of party. Some of the per
son, who had applied to him to assist them to
office were those who were removed from SER
vice onl now only desired TO be restored.
After Mr.. Bayard, Mr.. Conkling protested
against the removal Of secretary Gorham for
having during the vacation acted as secretary
of the national republican committee, when
Mr.. Thompson, chairman Of the democratic
executive committee of ohio, had been made
>crgcant-at-arms Of the house for doing pre-
ci>cly similar work.
Mr.. COnkling exhibited list which he said
contained the names of many democratic
employees who had been retained all along bv
republican senates but now the bchrsts of
party Npirt demanded the sweeping change
according to political lines.
Mr. Bavard said the fact could not be es-
capped that Gorham's hand signed the circular
calling for contributions to support himself
and his party in power. 1t would not do to
class senators and representatives responsible
To the people who elect them for their poiti-
ca! acts in the same category regards duty
with merely administrative officers. He rec
al tI,. pft Il nj
tinn towards civil service reform, and knew
how little approval they had met from Mr..
Conkilng. who constantly gave evidence Of
bis disbelief in the doctrine and rules of such
reform set forth IN the famous circular of the
President. he i'ica was perniciods that
merely administrative officers who formed
the machinery of government, should be en-
couragcd To aspire to the same degree of po-
htiCal control cnjOved by officers representing
the people by election. In the words of
Blackstune "llc who uses the officers of a
country to control the elections of the coun-
try cuts up its government by the roots
Mr.. Blaine said that his lamcntation was
not for the outgoing officers but over defic-
ton Of Senator Bayard, who had so often
read to them such homilics and expostula-
tion> in favor of reformed and refined civil
Scrl ice, but who did not now stand firmly to
those convictions
Long debate followed between Messrs
Beck. Blaine, Noorhcs and others, during
which the question OF the legality of Hayes
election wa, taken up. This called forth
long speech from Mr.. Hill, rccapitulating the
conditions under which the electoral commits
sion was agreed to, and giving his views on
the subject.
Mr.. Blaine replied briefly.
Mr.. Wallace offered resolution declaring
IAh ,.l., t..l ID.
ate. which wa, sdoptcd.
Mr.. Burch was then sword into office
Mr.. Wallace offered resolution declaring
Richard J. Bright elected sergcant-at-arms.
+. f. Shober elected chief clerk of senate
Henry b. Pcyton elected executive clerk and
J. g. Bullock elected chaplain.
The resolutions were adopted and the oaths
of office administered