Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-10-20
sH'attatitNortlImsst.
DAVID DAVIS,
Is Elected President of.
the Senate.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-In the Senate
Lamar Dem. Miss.) offered resolution
requesting the President to advise the
Senate whether any action had been
taken by the Government since the Last
session of the Senate toward protecting
the rights and interests Of the United
States in the project of an inter oceanic
canal; tabled for further action.
Mr., Edmunds, Rep. VT called up his
resolution continuing the standing COM
mittees rs constituted LIST session.
Mr.. Garland Dem. Ark.) offered an
amendment providing that only the fol-
lowing committees shall be continued
Foreign relations. Finace and Commerce,
Military Affairs, Judiciary, Post-offices
and roads. Public lands, Pensions, and
Indian affairs. He contended the COM
mlttees named were the only ones which
would have any work to do during the
special session.
Mr.. Edmunds opposed the amendment.
There were committees which were not
provided for, which in his opinion
would be necessary to perform the work
of the session. He instanced the com
mittee on Privileges and Elections as one
which should be organized. There was
on the table petition presented by the
Senator from New Jersey, (McPherson,) }
said to seriously effect the right of the
Senators from New York to seats in this
body. That ought to be inquired into.
Then there was the committee on Rail-
roads, which might have work to do.
1t was known from public report there
had been an important officer suspended
for some supposed failure to perform his
duty, and by law it was required such
suspension should be reported to the Sen
ate. The committee on contingent ex-
penses was also necessary committee.
MIR. Garland stated he would modify
his amendment so as to continue the
committee on privileges and elections
and contingent expenses. He thought
it would then include all the committees
necessary to organize at this time.
Garland's amendment was rejected by
yeas 30; nays 81, Davis Qnd. Ills.) and
Malone Ind. Va.), voting with the r.
publicans. Edmunds' resolution was
then adopted by yeas 81; nays 35.
The standing committees are therefore
continued as constituted at last session,
and the president pro tenn is authorized
to fill vacancies which may exist. AS
soon as the result was announced, Mr..
Logan, (Rep. Ills.) offered a resolution
for the election of David Davis, a Sena-
tor from Illinois, as president pro tenn of
the Senate.
Mr.. Pendleton Dem. o. asked the
resolution lie over one day under the
iIles; 30 ordered. An executive session
followed.
At p. m. the doors reopened and the
Senate again met in open session.
Mr.. Pendleton Dem. o. rose and
ton with the Senators on his side of the
chamber he had concluded to withdraw
his objection to immediate considera-
tion of the resolution proposing the
election of Senator Davis as president
protein. The Senate then proceeded
to consideration of resolution.
Mr.. Jones Dem. Fla.) opposed the
adoption of the resolution in a brief
speech, taking the ground that the ten
ure of Office of the president pro tenn is
during the absence of the vice. president
Of the United States. A vote was taken
on Logan's resolution. resulting in it's
adoption by yes, So; nays, 81, Bayard,
Dem. Del.) and Davis, Qnd. Ills.) not
voting.
Mr.. Bayard, when his name was called,
said: Il propose to withdraw my vote.
have never obtained office by my vote
and never shall retain it by my vote.
l am glad the question is taken up to-
day."
Mr.. Davis lind. Ill., was then escorted
to, the chair by Messrs. Bayard and An
thony. On taking the chair Mr.. Davis
said:
Senators: the honor just conferred
comes as the seat which I now OCCUPY in
this body, did, without any expectation
on my part. If it caused any obligations,
1 should be constrained to decline this |
high compliment. do not accept it as
a tribute to any personal merit, but rath-
er as recognition of the Independentpo-
sition have long occupied in the politics
Of the country. am profoundly CRATE
fll for this mark of confidence, and it |
shall be my endeavor, as it will be my
duty, to administer the trust with impair
tiality and with entire fairness. Not hav-
ing been trained in parliamentary practice,
| shall beg the indulgence of the Senate
in this respect, and I hope for generous
cooperation on all sides. The Senate
will please come to order. ------
Mr.. Edmunds: II think it not only a
1uty but pleasure to move that the
thanks of the Senate be expressed to the
Hon. Thomas Bayard, the retiring Presl.
lent pro tenn"
Mr.. Butler, Dem. S. CO. (sotto voce9
'Sarcc 7ms."
Mr.. Edmunds-Not a bit of it. 1
move the thanks of the Senate be ex-
pressed to the Hon, Thomas F. Bayard
Tor the dignity and impartiality with
which he has presided over this body
Turing the short period he has done So"
Low sarcastic laughter on the Demo-
,ratic side. 81 am sorry to see the Sen
ltors smile. 1 am actually in earnest.
The senator from Delaware came to the
chair under circumstances of excite
nent and trial, and though his career
mas been short, I, as one of his political
adversaries, in all sincerity, wish to ex-
press my obligation to him for the i'm
with which he has conducted
;he duties assigned him." The motion
was agreed to.
Evtroct frov, n lot4o. L. |