Huntsville gazette., 1881-10-15
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.


THE assembling in Special session of the
United States Senate, on the 10th, was wit
messed by large number of persons, who
flied the gafeffsssfp 4hfyifs utsnost TssrnEty.
The desk forpfr frly 6ecabied BY SenatorB Barn-
yeral bouquesss olnamented the desks OF
prolninentsS tsSendtdrsA ASenators- elect Aldrich,
Laphan ana sIiHeroecnpied seats upon the
floor on the Republican side. The Senate was
called to order by Mr.. Harris, after prayer by
pShaplain Bullock, who alluded in a feeling
mannerto the lsath pt Presiien mt Garfield and
ton having been read Mr.. Pendleton moved
the adoption of the following resolutions
That Thomas Z. Bayard, a Sen;l or from the
State OF Delaware, is hereby chosen President
pro TEN. OF the Senate, Mr. Edmunds moved as
a substitute that the Senators elect be sworn
in previous to electing presiding officer. Mr..
Pendleton moved to lay the motion on the to
Of ofe inoIs e ii n tRs
negative. Mr.. Malone did not vote, and Mr.
Platt and Mr.. Fair were paired. Mr.. Ed
ing that Thomas +. Bayarde Shall ,be elected
presiding oflicerafor this day only, aid ar
gued in support OF the amendment, contend
ing that it would comply with both the letter
and spirit of the law, and would allow the
States of New York and Rhode Island to haye
a voice in the election of a permanent Presi-
dent pro TEN. With dramatic effect he declared
that il the Democrats secured the Presidency
of the Senate, it would be "priZe won in the
lottery of assassipeti cH - Mn. ~ esta criticised
the languageused BY Hamuntls II intfnating
that the Democrats were attempting to grasp
the prize made -possible tokthenaB ykaa as
sassfnation. The foul lips of the assassin
who had struck down the President had had
upon them no invocation for Democratic
success, but had the invocation for a faction
of the Republican party. If there was
q responsibility for the crime. directly or
indirectly, it rested upon his political oppO-
rents and not with the Democratic party. He
charges no one. but it the insinuation is that
the Dem0crats ofthe country had anything
but tears for the dead President, sorrow for
his family and execFation foi the miserable
assassin he declared it to be absolutely false.
A yea and nay vote on Mr.. Edmunds's amend
ment resulted in its defeat--yeas, 33 nays, 81.
Mr.. Edmunds then offered another amend
ment substituting the name of4Mr Anthony
for that of Mr.. Dssyard as PreSident pro tenn. "A
vote was at once taken and the amendment
defeated-yeas, 50; nays, "a: Mr.. Malone
voted withthe Republicans, Mr.. David Davis
did not vote. The original resolution, intro
duced BY Mr.. PendletQn, was then adopted by
Mr. Mahonc votedswibal the Republicans. The
Chair then appointed Messrs. Anthony and
Pendeton to escort President pro tenn. Bayard
to the chair. On taking the chair, MIR. BayaIu
spoke as follows:
SENATORS: fully appreciate the honor put
upon me by this expression of your conf
dence, and in assuming the duties of Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate in obedience
to 1aw.slIld in accordance with the rules of
this body and the vote OF the majority,
should have greater misgivings of fulfilling
acceptably the requirements of the post were
it not for the assurance that so long rs shall
continue to exercise its duties shall receive
your cooperation and friendly aid, which
now earnestly y~and confidently invoke Mt your
shanEfs. We are all painfully mindful OF the
unusual circumstances under which we met,
and of the national bereavement which has
caused this special session of the Senate
May it not be hoped that, touched by "a
sense of common sorrow and chastened
by the grief that penetrates every
household in one great family of States,
our proceedings may be marked by a spirit
of concession and harmony and generous
consideration for mutual differences of opin
ion and sottening of partisan asperities, and
with high intent perform our duties in man.
ner responsive to the demands of the occa-
sion and best interest of ourcommon country
With such hopes and in such spirit now as
sumo and shall endeavor to perform the du-
ties of the high position to which your favor
has assigned me- ttsff'i' ft-
Mr.. Edmunds then moved that the Senator'S,
elect be qualified, but Mr.. Pendleton moved,
IN order that the credentials of the new Sena
tors might be examined, that the Senate ad-
journ, and this motion prevailed.