Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-13
Senator Bayard Elected.

The United States Senate met in the |
Senate Chamber in the Capitol at
Washington on Monday last, in obe-
dience to the call Of President Arthur.
A failure to elect President pro. tenn.
Of the Senate at the last adjournment
of that body, n failure wholly due to
Vice President Arthur's refusal to va
cate the chair, as is the custom, made
1t necessary that some one should be
selected to stand in the succession,
should any thing occur to the present
occupant of the Executive office. No
such emergency would have arisen
If President Garfield had not been
foully murdered. When the Senate
adjourned the Democrats. owing TO the
resignation Of Messrs. Conkling and
Platt, had majority. During the in
terim the distinguished Senator from
Rhode Island, General Burnside, went
upon the long journey. On the assem-
bling of the Senate on Monday its first
and imperative duty was TO elect a pre-
siding officer. II mattered not which
political party happened to be in the
ascendency, its duty was clear. The
majority elected Tbos a. Bayard.
The country responds heartily to the
selection. The Delaware Senator is
trusted by all. His conservative,
statesmanlikecours in public life gives
full assurance that he will not fail TO
honorably, fearlessly aud ably dis
charge the responsible duties Of his
position for the best interests of the
whole country. Senator Edmuuds
while concediDg the right Of the ma
jority to elect the President pro. TEN.
said il was "a prize drawn in the lot
terry of assassination" The Vermont
senator was very properly rebuked for
this violation Of the decorum which
should under the circumstances have
prevailed. Senator Vest, of Missouri,
said in reply to Edmunds that "the
foul lips of the assassin who had struck
down the President had upon them
no invocation for Democratic SUCCESS,
but the invocation had been for fac
ton of the Republican party"
There is no occasion for aUy exhibi-
tion ofparty feeling, The Democrat
ic majority but .sbeyed the mandate Of
the law. .scnstor Edmund's i'll timed
sneeT hocked :ae good sense c' -.
copTfry aud - with crushiuEnla
upon himseli.' The New York IA
sors Lapham aud Miller, aud Burn
sides successor Aldrich we're sworn
in Oh, Tuesday aud took their seats
without, objection. On taking the
chair Mr.. Bayard addressed the Sem
ate as follows:
II fully appreciate the honor paid me
by this expression ef coniidence, aud in
assuming the duties or -n,fesideut pro
tenn. of the Senate. in obedfsnce 10 the
law and in accordance with thC rules Of
this body and the vote of the majority.
| should have the greatest misgivings
as to fulfilling acceptably the duties OF
the post were il not for the assurance
that 50 long as | may continue To exer.
else its duties | shall receive your CO
operation and friendly assistance, which
| nov earnestly and confidently ask At
your hands. We are all painfully mind.
ful Of the unsual circumstances under
which we meet, and OF the national be
resvement which has caused this special
meeting Of the Senate. May il not be
hoped that, touched by sense Of com.
mon sorrow and cbastened by the grief
which pervades every household in The |
great family of States, our proceedings |
shall be marked by a smrit Of con.
cession and harmony, generous con
sideration for mutual differences Of |
opinion, n softening of partisan a..
perity and high intent 20 per.
form our duties in manner re.
sponsive 20 the demands Of the &C.
casion. and the best interests Of our
common country. With such hopes
and in such spirit nos assume and
shall endeavcr to perform the duties of
the high position to which your favor
has assigned me-
A PROMINENT Republican Of Gregg