Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-10-13

Democratic Senators to elect President
pro tenn and recalled the phrase so after
quoted at the last session of the Senate
that the voice of the constitutional ma.
jOrity to-day happened to be on the
Democratic side and, of course, in the
opinion of his Republican friends its
voice was scarcely divine utterance.
Senator Beck referred to the action OF
Democratic President of the Senate
after Fillmore acceded to the President
of the United States.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired if the Senators
of the two States were denied voice in
that election.
Mr.. Beck said that they were not mol
had Vice President refused to give ths
Senate an opportunity to elect Presi
dent, nor had the two Senators enacted
comic tragedy by resigning. This ref
erence to Conkling ard Platt elected {
shout of applause from the galleries
which shocked the decorum of the Sen
ate. Chairman Harris gave notice that
for another similar demonstration he
would have the galleries cleared.
A yea and nay vote on Mr.. Edmund's
amendment resulted in its defeat by 8;
to "a.
Mr.. Edmunds then offered another
amendment substituting the name OF
Senator Anthony for that of Senator
Bayard for President pro tempore.
A vote was at once taken and the
amendment defeated; yeas 80, nays "a
Mr. Manone voted with the Republicans
Senator David Davis didn't vote.
The original resolution, introduced by
Mr.. Pendleton, was then adopted by a
vote of "a to 3d. Mr.. Davis, of Illinois
didn't vote. Mr.. Malone voted with the
Republicans. The Chair then appointed
Senators Anthony and Pendleton to es-
cort the President pro tempore elect
Bayard to the chair.
On taking the chair Mr. Bayard spoke
as follows: Senator'S fully appreci-
ate the honor put upon me by this eX-
preston of your confidence, and in as
suming the duties of Presideit pro tenn
pore of the Senate. in obedience to the
law and in accordance with the rules of
this body and the vote Of the majority,
should have greater misgivings of full
filling acceptably the requirements Of
the post were it not for the assurance
that so long as shall continue to exer-
else its duties 1 shall receive your coop
Grafton and friendly aid, which l now
earnestly and confidently invoke at your
hands. We are all painfully mindful of
the unusual circumstances under which
we meet; and of the national bereave-
ment which has caused this special seS-
sion of the Senate. May it not be hoped
that, touched by sense of the common
sorrow and chastened by the grief that
penetrates every household in one great
family of States, our proceedings may be
by spirit of concession and
harmony and generous consideration for
mutual differences of opinion, and soft
ening of partisan asperities and a high
intent to perform cur duties in man.
ner responsive to hedemands of the oc-
casion and best interests of our common
country. With such hopes and in such
spirit l now assume and shall endeavor
10 perform the duties of the high posi-
ion to which your favor has assigned
me-
Edmunds then moved that the creden-
,ials of Aldrich, of Rhode Island, be
placed on file and the oath of Office ad
ninistered.
Pendleton-In order that we may have
IN opportunity of examining the creden-
,ials of the Senator from Rhode Island,
md the two Senators from New Y ork,
move that the Senate adjourn.
Senator Hoar called Senator Pendle- |
,on's attention to the fact that it was
customary 10 inform the President that
he Senate had organized.
Pendleton expressed willingness to
Idmit of that being done, but Edmunds
insisted upon his motion taking prece- |
lence. Pendleton thereupon refused to
his motion to adjourn, which
hen prevailed, and the Senate adjourn
ID.
In the Senate the oath of Office was
to Nelson w. Aldrich, Sem
tor. elect from Rhode Island, and to
Iapham and Miller, Senators elect from
New York. A committee appointed to
wait upon the President was informed
hat he would communicate in writing
With the Senate.