Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-06
AN IMPRoBABLE STORY.
Vice-PresIdent Arthur's Friend
ship for Senator Harris,
and One of Its Re-
suits.
Correspondenee NashvllIe Banner. /

Correspondence Nashville Banner.I
WASHINGTON, August 1.-NOw that
the danger line is passed, and indica-
tons point to the speedy recovery OF
the President, allow me to furnish
the readers of the Banner with a lit
tie piece Of history that has been a
secret to all, save a few grave and dig
nifed Senators in Congress.
1t has been the custom in the Sen
ate, as you are aware, to elect a Vice
President pro tenn, or in other words,
the Vice President steps down and
out, and in the interim, a presiding
officer has been selected by that dis
tinguished body.
The same custom would have pre-
vailed at the last session OF the Sen
ate, but for an "if, and question Of
personal preference was all that pre-
vented it. Vice President Arthur
was anxious to continue the custom,
and only stepped in to countermand
the arrangement. 1t may not be gen
orally known, but it is nevertheless
true that Senator Harris, of Tennessee,
and Vice President Arthur are very
much attached to each other, although
widely different in politics. Person
ally, however, they are upon the most
intimate terms, and there exists be-
tween them veritable Damon and
Pythias attachment.
The question of selecting a presid
ing officer was under discuss ion among
the Democratic Senators on several
occasions, and by common courtesy,
Senator Bayard was named for the
position. although he was not the pre-
ference if it had been possible to de
termine the matter Of ballot. But for
this act of courtesy alluded to, Isham
G.. Harris, one of the best parliament
tarians in the Senate, would have
been selected for the place.
e-President Arthur, however,
was responsible for the sudden ter
mination Of the question. lie had
the confidence of two leading Demo.
Gratis, and was made fllly acquainted
with the situation. He was anxious
to retire and give the honor in the IN.
term to the Senator from Tennessee
and disposed to be stubborn if his es
teemed friend was not thus rewarded
He finally suggested to his Democratic
friends that in consequence OF Senator
Bayard being hard OF hearing and not a
parliamentarian, that possibly if the
matter were presented to him he
would decline. Sure enough Senator
Bayard was approached on the subject.
He mentioned himself his own defects
but finally remarked that as Congress
would not be convened again and he
would have nothing to do. he would
accept the position which his brother
Senator'S desired him to have. This
settled the matter. Vice President
Arthur heard of the decision, and he
very emphatically determined that il
Senator Harris was not the coming
man, he would remain where he was
and do the presiding and hOnors him
self.
AS above intimated, these are facts
and known at least to several distin'
guished men in the halls Of Congress
suppose Vice-President Arthur could
have had his way in this matter, anC
then, suppose again, that the Presi,
dent haO been killed, wouldn't it have
been a picnioP One Of the leaders Of
the rebellion, the Vice.P President o.
this great aud united country.