The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-07
THE sENATE ORGANIZATION.
Democratic Reasons for COneetling the
Presidency 10 the Republican,,


and Farley believe that 1t would be better
policy for the Democratic Senators to per
init the election OF u Republican President
pro team. These Senators will, at the confer,
ence which will be held the latter part Of
this eek, urge their associates to take such
q course US will permit the election OF
moderate and fur Republican, and the man
whom they speak OF most often Is Senator
Anthony, who not only possesses these
qualifications but is also u senior member.
The Democrats, however, feel that they
are entitled TO the Secretary OF the Senate,
first, because the Senate officers now arc
Democratic, and second, because the Sem
ate will be u tie after the three waiting Sem
ators have been admitted, II, therefore,
the Democrats should permit the election
Of Senator Anthony, they feel that that
fact, combined with tho two other consid-
eations, ought to impress itself upon the
Republicans. They know that some OF the
Republican Senators agree with them, and
II there could be no caucus dictatiOn 1t Is
altogether probable that Senator Anthony
would be elected president, and q satlslac'
tory Democratic clerk OF the Senate. The
Republicans, however, will insist that the
three Senators-elect shall he sworn IN i'm.
mediately after tho election OF President
pro tenn, The preCe,lents arc overwhelming
in favor OF such course.
have made q careful examination Of the
journal from the beginning and find thNt
out OF one hundred precedents, which are
all the journal records, ninGty.seven are IN
favor OF the election OF u president pro tenn,
before the admission Of waiting Senators,
Three only are the other way, aud there
were special reasons why these three caseS
stand on the record as they do, There can
bo but little doubt ~ TO the right Of the
Senate TO admit Senators-clect before the
election OF the president pro iem.; but there
is an equal right to defer such admission
until after the election; and Ns the prece'
dents arc 80 overwhelmingly In favor Of the
latter course, Senators herU Of both parties
do not believe that there will be any de
partlre from that course now.
Mr.. Brierley Tucker, who was Chairman
OF the Ways and Means Committee Of the
House lust winter after tho death OF Fer
nandO Wood, Ii quoted as saying that tln-
der the existing condition Of things the
President OF the Senate should be In
sympathy with the administration, and
that he could imagine no more unfortunate
position for the Democratic party than to
be charged with the responsibility Of the
administration In clse OF the death or Ina
bility Of the President. Ills conversation
with such Democratic Senators Ns he had
seen, caused him to believe the Democrats
will he ready to permit the election Of
Senator Anthony as President pro tenn,
while the Republicans would be willing
that u Democratic Secretary should lie
elected. Mr.. Tucker adds that should nm
llnseemly struggle be begun In tho Senate
now over the organization, the parties that
preClpinted 1t would meet with universal
condemnation.
Another report says: The Democratic
Senators will meet In conference ut Sena'
tor Pendleton's residence tomorrow eve.
ming to discuss the organization Of the
Senate. Pendlet0n is chairman OF tliC
Democratic caucus, and he thinks TINT by
tomorrow night ut least thirty Democratic
Senators will be here. While most Of he
Democrats declare unequivocally In favor
OF their eleCtlng President OF the Senate
before swearing In new Senators, u few
hesitate and think the step ought to be
carefully considered before takingit. Some
Democrats say they arc in favor OF eleCting
a President aud Secretary before swearing
in new Senators, but this does not
seem TO be the prevailing sentiment,
There are several Democratic Senators
who privately admit that they think tliH
best policy would be to concede the Presi-
dent to the Republicans, but those who
think thus realize that they antagonize the
majority sentiment Of their party, and
therefore they are not willing TO bc pub
licly quoted as holding this opinion. A
prominent Southern Senator said to-day tO
Western Associated Press agent, "lf We
take this step and elect the President Of the
Senate II will give the Republican press al
opportunityto raise the question Of section
alism aglin, and they will take advantage oI
II. They will say that the temporary majori'
ty OF the Senate, dominated by the South has
sliced this Office in the. hope Ofgctting con
troll Of the Government In the event Of the
death Of President Arthur. do not mean
that any respectable portion Of the Repub'
liCan press will suggest TINT the Democrat
iC party or any member Of II would assns'
sinale Arthur TO get the Presidency Of the
United States. This idea has been ad-
vnncGd as an argument against tic election
Of II Democrat, but II IL only enter.
tanned by minds base enough
to conceive and commit such crime for
selfish purposes. 1t Is secuted and con
demned by all decent people. But the i'm
portant consideration In the matter is that
the South Can be injured by the revival oI
the sectional politics. We Of the South dc
not wantany national powerbeyond dour rep
rcsentative portion 10 which weare entitled
Tile Presidency OF the Senate Is Nil empty
honor vi best, especially as the Senate Is
now constituted, except for the fact thai
only one life stands between II and tenn
porary Presidency Of tho United States
For my part, II had my way, ! would eleC!
conservative Republican 10 that position
II the Republicans would accord us the
SeCretarysilip and half Of the Com.
mittees, this plan would prevent
tho revival OF seclionnlism, which
forcsee and dread And besides, III n ina
terial point Of view, half the committee,
nre worth more than the Presidency Of tlit
Senate. OF course shall bG governed BY
the majority Of my party, but | intend Il
state my views plainly In tue CauCus
Since sectional agitation has ceased tlt
South las prospered as never before, and
as said, lis revival can only inlure tht
South"
Tie Senator will no doubt express thl
same views IN the party Cauctis, AMI III
will, from tile present indications, ilnt
others to agree with him, but the majority
vote will probably control tho CntiCus.
The disposition in both parties to avoit
amy contest, grows more apparent as thO
time for decision Of tile question ap
proachcs, and II Is not improbable. tht
basis for unanimous organization OF TIL
Senate may be reached,
Plttaburgh ttaesa
Pfr1snuRqIt, October n,-The Exposition
| -. ans t,,oa InFyyntV alIanIat in.siav TIL