Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-08
DAVID DAVIS.
The President Pro TEN. Defines
His Position.
HOW he WILL VOTE HEREAFTER.
No Change in the officers and En-.
ployes of the Senate.

No Change in the officers and Em.
ployes of the Senate.
lsPEc1Al BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE REcoRD-UMosI
WASHINGTON, December 7th.-In the Senate yes
terday, when Edmunds called up his resolution FRO
viding for the continuance OF the committees as
they were at the close ,f the last session. the Presi
cent pro tenn, Davis, who temporarily occupied his
former seat on the floor, having vacated the chair
| to Harris, said
THE NATIONS RECENT BEREAVEMENT
Mr.. President The solemn event which has ex
cited the sympathy Of the civilized world has re-
| Gently brought about unexpected changes in the
Presidency, and the Forty.seyenth Congress now
meets under the constitutional successor to the
President who was only nangurated last March.
and stricken down in the maturity OF his man.
hood after but four short months experience in the
Executive chair These stern facts are full Of admo
milton, which may teach how frail are human
hopes and how transitory is human power in the
presence of the Destroyer Ambition may well
pause, and all of us learn how vain are the aspra
lions to which too much of lives are devoted.
Great as was the bereavement which spread sorrow
the land and which touched the heart OF every
fireside it sanctifed by the consolation that
gether by the common grief, and thus came TO un-
derstapd each other better through kindred emo
tons. Asperities that had long established them
selves sotened and the violence Of faction
chasteHed by oftiictioD.
HEARTY SUPPORT OF THE NEw ADMISIsTRA-
TIoN.
Although President Arthur represents the party
that elected General Garfield his personal position
is necessarily delicate and trying Ee is entitled by
l.;
our generous countenance As Senator, propose
to extend 10 his policy candid treatment sustaining
it when right, and opposing it when wrong, all
public questions, holding to this purpose, and in
tending TO insist on the pure, economical and just
administration of the Executive trust The new
President ought to be aided by all proper legislation
and cooperation IN carrying out the general policy
he may propose to the country Whatever that
policy in future may be, it is entitled 10 fair trial
With tLis view Of my duty shall vote willingly to
continue the committees in this body as they are
now constituted.
RESPONSIBILITY OF HTG REPUBLICAN, PARTY.
Il seems best that the party which has the Presi-
dent and the House Of Representatives SHOULD be
held auswerabe for all public measures. Then
there viii be divided responsibility If the oppo-
stion wise they will accept this conclusion. At
special session in March they made but brief and
feeble stand against the organization OF the commit
tees which share the great legislation OF the coul
| try. Indeed they almost conceded that important
point to their adversares but continued protracted
contest for the officers of the Senate under the
| political condition. My Democratic friends then
yielded ground from the beginning to the end Of it.
| Doubtless they had satisfactory reasons for this
course OF policy. l.; st spring took occasion to
state the reasons why my vote should be given for
| the then existing organization of the Senate
Although circumstances have materially changed
since that time the obligation which voluntarily
| assumed has not been altered. Hence adhere to
| that declaration always reservins to myself the
| right OF rejecting offensive candidates
INDEPENDENT POSITION DECLARED.
| am greatly encouraged in this decision by the
course OF my distinguished friend from Vermont, as
eminent leader of his party he is also eai-
nent for his public and for private worth. Upon his
motion the present Chief Clerk distinctly appointed
as Democrat, was unanimously made Acting Sec.
retary. That graceful deed is cheering sign which
affords me pleasure lApplausel Tins is the first
place where example should be set against the
common scrambling for office that dsfigures our
political life. The country almost equally d.
vided between the two national parties the last
Presidential election. The majority in the House
Representatives is small and in this chamber the
! Republicans aud Democrats confront each other
| with like members The committees now held
by party and the oiices Of the Senate are held
by the O. her party. Frcai ny stacdT Toint it would
be unwise to disturb ibis cniIdis1u OF things. i do
not propose TO engage in any struggle that looks TO
that object. AS our parties are organized, the pub
| lie man who steps out OF party lines is always
posed 10 harsh criticism, matter how proper his
| motives NAV be- The machinery enforces rigid
discipline, and denounces revolt treason. For
the last ten years my political position has been en-
tirely Independent of any o!geniZ .ion. have &C
cepted responsibility wherever it was found, and
have voted for the best men, whether they were
called Republicans or Democrats.
COURAGEOUS INCONSISTENCY ADVOCATED.
Consistency is not q virtue if it means the dog
matte adoption Of a given idea when change would
be neritorious. The greatest statesEhen in modern
times have been courageouslY inconsistent, and
have become pr5e banefactors by abandoning the
mistaken policy. II conviction satisfied me that
opinions formed long ago and followed since were
erroneous, it would not cost moments thought
to cast them of like worn-out garment. believe
my views to be sound and sober, and | shall stand
by them as a moderator between the extremes 1t
pleased the majority OF the Senate TO confer upon
the highest distinction in their gift P.ized as
that Is and ought to be, it is douby valuable in my
estimation, because it came wholly unsought and
without the exchange OF single word directly or
indirectly, that could by any possibility, impose
obligation. This is the only answer / shall ever
make to the unworthy minds that would measure
the integrity of Others by their low standard Of
personal honor.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND PROGRESS.
The day is drawing near when shall retire from
this Chamber Ny only ambition while here is 10
bring about perfect peace between the North and
South as the best means Ct promoting the pros
perty OF the whole Union. When the rude voice of
faction, which for fifteen years past in time Of
peace has disturbed the national fellowship that
should have been Jred at the close of the Civil
War, shall be silenced, this country VIII bound for
ward in career OF grandeur and glory that viii
astoaish mankind But reconciliation has nobler
aims than mere national wealth. IL the experiment
OF republican government IS to endure and TO be
perpetuated, as we humbly pray God it may be for
unborn generations, then the spirit Of forbearance
and OF liberation in which it was created by the
patriotism of fathers must be revived and deyel-
oped. In 10 other way the " more perfect
union which their inspired wisdom formed out OF
the disjonted confederation be preserved shin
ing light of the higher civilization and the refuge
of the oppressed from all lands.
CONSIDERABLE FEELING MANIFESTED.
WASHINGTON, December 7th.-When referring to
bis acceptance of the position Of President ef the
Senate, in his speech yesterday, DAVIS mat ifested
considerable indignation in auding to the various
newspaper insnuations that he had sold himself TO
the Republicans. He was very emphatic IN the re-
asser ton that not single word tending to commit
himself TO the Republicans passed between him and
them prior to his acceptance OF the position.
His speech has rendered the Senate offcisls and
employees happy.