Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-10-14

ident. Mr.. Bayard was elected president pro
tenn, and an adjournment followed without
further action. The galleries were crowded
with spectators, who were attracted by the
expectation of witnessing an exciting strug-
CLEAN expectation which was not realized.
In the debate, which lasted from u O'Clock
till 3, no one on the Republican side spoke at
length except Mr.. Edmunds. Messrs. PEN
dleton, Vest, Garland and Morgan did the
talking for the Democrats.
By agreement between the Republicans and
Democrats, Senator Harris of Tennessee call
ed the senate to order. After the usual pre-
liminaries, the chairman caused to be read
the proclamation of the President converting
the senate in extra session, and Immediately
thereafter the struggle was begun by Mr.. Pen
dleton, who offered q resolution declaring that
Senator Bayard ''is hereby chosen president
pro tenn. of tire senate" Mr.. Edmunds, who
was prepared for this movement, Immediately
arose and presented the credentials Of the
senators-eect with a resolution providing for
their swearing-in, and in a calm and vigorous
speech stated the Republican position. It
was, in brief, that the swearing-in of senator's
elect was question of the highest privilege,
taking precedence of every other question;
that the states have right to be represented
in the senate by the men to whom they have
given whichever huI Important
matter is to be acted upon; that the Demo-
Gratis had no right to 'seize the prize drawn
from the lottery Of assassination" because
they possessed an accidental majority. His
resolution was laid on the table, and his sue
cessive attempts to effect his purpose in other
ways were also defeated.
The Democrats who participated in the dis
cussion set forth the Democratic position thus;
This session was called for the purpose of
electing president pro tenn. That is the
business of the session, and it should be dis
posed of before any other question is taken
up" Finally Mr.. Edmunds, having exhaust
ed every parliamentary method to effect his
purpose, permitted the Pendleton resolution
to come before the senate, with the remark
that the Democrats seemed to have made up
their minds to proceed to business without
admitting representatives of states to their
seats. Thereupon Mr.. Bayard was elected
over Mr.. Anthony, and was conducted by the
latter and Mr.. Pendleton to the chair. As
soon as he had read the remarks he had pre-
pared for the occasion, Mr. Edmunds again
arose with his proposition to swear in the
| senator's elect. Mr.. Pendleton Immediately
moved an adjournment, in order, be explain
| ed that the Democrats might have an oppor-
| tunity to inspect the credentials of the sena-
tors elect, lying on the presidents table. Mr..
| Hoar asked Mr.. Pendleton whether it would
not be fitting to inform the President that the
senate was in session in accordance with his
| proclamation, before adjourning. Mr.. PEN
| dleton thought it would be, but Mr. Edmunds
said that the senators-elect ought to be first
sworn in. Mr.. Pendleton insisted upon his
motion, which was thereupon carried and the
Democrats withdrew in caucus.
On taking the chair Mr. Bayard said; SEN
ators, fully appreciate the honor put upon
me by this expression of your confidence, and
in assuming the duties of president pro tenn
| 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 great
err misgvings of fulfilling acceptably the re-
| quirements of the post were it not for the
assurance that, SO long as l shall continue to
| exercise its duties shall receive your coOpe-
ration and friendly aid, which 1 now earnest
| ly and confidently invoke at your hands. We
are all painfully mindful of the unusual cir
oumstances under which we meet 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 a grief that pene-
trates every household in one great family of
states, our proceedings may be marked by a
| spirit of concession and harmony and gene
| rous consideration for mutual differences Of
| opinion, softening Of partisan asperities,
| and high intent to perform our duties in a
manner responsive to the demands of the oc-
cason and the best interests of our common
country. With such hopes. and in such a
spirit, 1 now assume and shall endeavor to
perform the duties of the high position to
which your favor has assigned me.
Malone voted steadily with the Republi-
cans during the day. DANIEL Davis voted
with them in all of Senator Edmunds resolu-
tons and until the final vote electing Bayard,
when he refrained from voting. On Tuesday
drich, of Rhode Island, were duly admitted
to seats in the Senate, no objection being
made to their taking the oath. With all
members present the Senate now consists of
thirty-seven Republicans, thirty Demo-
Gratis, and Senators Davis and Malone.