The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-03
The Situation in the U. S. Senate.

The Situation in the U. S, Senate.
The death of Hon. Mat Carpenter U. S
Senator from Wisconsin, has somewhat con-
fused the plan in reference to the organization
of the Senate after the 4th of March next, The
Washington correspondent Oft the Philadelphia
Press of the 25th furnishes the following clear
statement of the situation:
The death of Senator Carpenter disarranges
the plans which it is believed had been made
for a reorganization of the Senate after the 4th
of March. 1t has been the almost inyariable
custom for the outgoing President to call an
extraordinary session on the 4th Of March to
confirm the Cabinet officers of the new Admin
istration and such important appointments as
he may choose to make at the beginning of his
term. The Forty-sixth Congress expires at
noon on the 4th Of March, the end of the third
legislative day Of the month. The new Vice
President is sworn in few moments before
noon on the 4th, the proclamation converting
the extraordinary session of the Senate is read,
and the new legislature beg ins, the Senators
elected from the 4th of March take the oath
and the Senate assists in the Inauguration of
the President. 1t is believed that the Repub-
lican intended shortly after March to attempt
the election of new officers of the Senate, rely
ing upon the votes of Senator Malone and
Vice President Arthur to give them a majority
for that purpose. Mr.. Carpenters death rem
ders it impossible to adopt such a programme
unless the President should deem it wise not
to convene an extraordinary session of the
Senate on March 4. The Wisconsin Legisla-
ture is now in session, consequently the Gov
ernor cannot appoint, and under the law the
Legislature cannot elect until the second Tues
day after the vacancy occurs Should there
be no protracted struggle for the honor of fill
ing Mr.. Carpenters seat new Senator can
not be sworn in from Wisconsin before the 18th
of March. The two Houses of the Legislature
will meet separately en- the 9Th ultimo to
choose a Senator If there is no delay the
Houses will elect in Joint Convention on the
day following. Three days will necessarily
elapse before the credentials reach Washing
ton and the new Senator can be sworn in. If
the President convenes an extra session on the
4th Of March, the Democrats being in ma
jority will Immediately proceed to reorganize
the Committees. The executive business will
be disposed of and the Senate will adjourn
placing it out of the power of the Republicans
to reorganize until next winter, anG possibly
not for long time to come, as changes in the
strength of the two parties in the Senate may
occur before December next. 1t is within the
Presidents power to give the Republican par
ty material assistance at this juncture. The
Senate is a perpetual body, and the presence
of the twenty-five Senators whose new terms
begin on the 4th of March is not indispensa-
BILE to the Inauguration Of General Garfield
The President by calling an extra session of
the Senate on the 10th of March, or by calling
no session whatever, leaving that duty to be
performed by the President-elect, could obviate
the difficulty. In so doing, however, the pre-
cedents Of the past would be disregarded.
On Tuesday last, President Hayes called an
extra session of the Senate to convene on the
4th of March. This would seem to indicate
that the organization of the Senate will be
thrown into the hands of the Democrats, I'M
less both of the Independents, Senators Ma
hone and Davis, vote with the Republicans 1t
is said that President Hayes action in recon
vening the Senate was taken after consultation
with President-elect Garfield
The British forces in Africa have suffered
another disastrous defeat. On Saturday de- |
tachment ofabout 700 men, under the command
of General Colley, the British commander-rn- |
chief, occupied position at Spitzkop where |
they were attacked early Sunday morning by |
the Beers A fierce fight was maintained |
throughout the day. which resulted in the En-
glish troops being completely routed, only 100 |
of them escaping, and Gen. Colley being report
ed as among the killed.
Early Saturday morning, Samuel Pettigrew,
captain of the canal boat Hattie, had difficulty |
with James Dougherty, the ferryman at the
Rope Ferry, twenty miles above Lynchburg
Va Dougherty threw stones at Pettigrew,
when the latter fired at his assailant inflicting !
wounds that caused his DEATH PettigreW |
gave himself up, and was lodged in jail
St. Patrick's Orphan Asylum, at Scranton,
Pa, caught fire Sunday, and seventeen of the
inmates. ranging from six totwelve years, were
burned to death or suffocated. The sisters in
charge, at great persona. risk, rescued the re-
naming twenty-seven children in the asylum.
Mrs. S. B. Rexrode was on Friday appoint
ed Postmaster at Valley Centre. Highland
county, Va, in place Of Samuel B. Rexrode,
removed.
The Wisconsin Legislature will elect Mr..
Cameron's successor on March Sth. Angus
Cameron is said to have a clear maj Gritty. !