National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-06

necessary that the Star should believe
this. 1t cannot affect the result.
A Blind Guide.
Careful research into the records Of the Senate
show that 1t has always been the custom of that
body when the presiding officer has been removed
by death, or by reason Of the expiration of his
term, since the last session. 70 choose President
pro tempoyc before the newly. elected Senators
sworn in.-N,T York Tni's
The Times, in its anxiety to facilitate
Democratic organization of the Senate,
does not seek any truth, else it could not
30 ignorantly blunder. The Office of
Vice-President has been left vacant three
times by death, once by resignation, and
four times by accession TO the Presidency.
In 1914 President Gerry died
during the session of the Senate, and Mr..
Gaillard, who had previously been elected
President pro tempore, was reelected.
In 1882 Vice-President Calhoun re-
signed during the session of the Senate,
and Mr.. White, who had been previously
chosen at that session, continued to be
the President pro tempore.
In 1S4l Vice-Presdent Tyler became
President during the recess, and Mr..
Southard, who had been chosen at the
preceding session, continued to be the
President pro tenpore.
In 1850 Vice-President Fillmore be-
came President during the session, and
the Senate elected Mr.. King President
pro tempore on the following day.
In 1858 Vice-President King died DUR
ing the recess of the Senate, and Mr..
Atchison, who had been chosen at the
preceding session, continued TO be the
President pro tempore,
In 1865 Vice-President johnson be-
came President during the recess, and
Mr.. Foster, who had been chosen at the
preceding session, continued to be the
President pro tempore.
lin 1867, Mr.. Fosters term as Senator
having expired, his Office of President
pro tempore expired with it, and Mr..
Wade, who had been chosen at the pre-
reding session, continued to be President
pro tenpore.)
In 1875, Vice-President Wilson having
died during the recess, Mr.. Ferry, who
had been chosen at the preceding ses-
Iion, continued TO be President pro tenn
pore.
Here we have given the names of the
even Presidents pro tempore who have
been chosen to fill vacancies in the office
Of Vice-President. They were not chosen
before the swearing in of Senators, but
later in the session. Mr.. Gaillard was
chosen November "a, 1874; Mr.. White,
December 4, 1882; Mr.. Southard, March
IL, 1871; Mr.. King, May 6, 1850; Mr..
Atchison, December 90, 1852; Mr.. Fos-
Ter, March Z, 1865, and Mr.. Ferry, March
10, 1875. In each case of a vacancy oc-
curing during the recess the chair has
been filed at the next session by Presi-
'lent pro tempore chosen at the preceding
'session before the vacancy occurred, and
seper al time when there acre Senat ors 10 be
morn in.
1t is true that in 1S41, 1S49, 1857, and
1877, on the 4th Of March of each year
The Senate adopted resolution declaring
the President pro tempore of the preced'
ing session to still be the President pre-
tempore, and in the same resolution au
thorized Senator to administer to hin
the oath of Senator. Some Of these did
then swear in the new Senators. But this
was by the acquiescence Of the new Sen
ators, who cared not by whom they were
sworn. They knew that rs soon as
they were in their seats the appearance
Of the Vice-President would at once ter
inmate the Office so created or continued
This was actually the case in each of the
years named. Tyler, Fillmore, Breckin
ridge, and Wheeler were respectively
sworn in within half an hour after the
Presidents pro tempore were chosen, anC
the latter were thereby displaced. MIR
Tyler was sworn in before the new Sena
tors were, and himself administered thu
oath TO them.
II was a convenience to the Senate, anC
clear majority of the Senate, including
the new Senators, consented. This is no
precedent for making possible Presi
dent by a temporary majority, whicl
hopes to retain its unfair advantage by
tie vote after the new Senators are sworn
The statement which the Times make
is not true. Careful research into tn
records of the Senate shows that "whel
the presiding officer has been remove
by death, or by reason of the expirauo
of his term, since the last session." it ha
mol been the custom to choose Pres
dent pro tempore before the newly
elected Senators are sworn in. This wa
neeer done in the case of the death, resig
nation, or accession to the Presidency, a
we have shown. And il was not done i
the case of the expiration of the term {
Office of the presiding officer except o
the four dates referred to, and then
was but matter of convenience to tn
Senate, and the honor conferred was
continuing one and lasted but ha
hour in oS'Eh case.