Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-15
CONGRESS- YESTERDAY.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION
Objections to the Present Statutes
The Florida Ship CanaI-Nomina.
tIOns-WatmOugh Under Fire.

WASHINGTON, December IA In the Sen
ate, Mr.. Allison, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported favorably a bill
supplying the accidental omission of the
word "and" in the clause of the sundry
civil appropriations act of the last Congress
making an appropriation for a new Pension
building. He explained that the omission
had restricted the appropriation of two hum
dred thousand dollars then made to the pur-
chase OF site, although it was intended also
70 apply 70 the purchase of q new building.
Laid on the table at the suggestion of Mr..
Edmunds, to enable inquiry to be made as
70 the suticiency of the appropriation.
Mr. Garland, from the Committee on Ter
ritories, reported favorably, with a written
report, on the bill to legaIize the election of
the Territorial Legislature of New Mexico,
held in 1880, and for other purposes. Placed
on the calendar.
Mr.. Saunders, from the same committee,
reported favorably the bill to extend the
northern boundary of Nebraska. Placed on
the calendar.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, submitted reso-
ton, which was laid over until tomorrow
calling for information in the War Office
relating to tue construction of ship canal
across the Florida peninsula, its cost and
the surveys made.
By Mr.. Plumb, of Kansas, authorizing
the President, whenever in his Judgment
the exigencies of the frontier service require
1t, to call for $500 enlisted men for the
army, 70 serve during such exlgency, and
not longer than one year. Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion Of Mr.. Sherman, the Commit
tee on the Garfield Memorial Services was
increased by the addition of two members
Messrs. Conger and Brown were the two
new members of the Garfield Memorial
Committee.
A resolution was introduced by Mr..
Butler, directing the Secretary of the Treas
usry to forward to the Senate a statement
showing the number of farms and planta-
tions with the number of acres in each sold
in the State of South Carolina under the act
for the collection of direct taxes In insurrec-
tlonary districts, ETC., approved June 7th,
1862, to whom said farms or plan
tauons belonged at the time of the
tax sales, who were the purchasers,
the amount for which each of said
farms or plantations was assessed for taxa
tion, the amounts collected from each, and
at which each was bid off, and by whom,
what amount of money arising from said
sales was covered into the Treasury over
and above the amount Of direct taxes laid
and collected against said State under said
act, the costs and expense of said sales, and
what amount is now In the Treasury.
Adopted.
Mr.. Hoar's resolution for select COM
mittee on the rights of women was taken
up, but the discussion was not concluded
when the floor was claimed by Mr.. Beck, to
whom 1t had been awarded upon unfinished
business. The subject of the Presidential
succession in the event of the removal,
death, resignation or inability of both
President and Vice President was consid-
cred. The resolutions introduced by Messrs.
Beck and MaxeY and the bill of Mr.. Gar
land being before the Senate for discussion,
Mr.. Beck spoke OF the serious difficulties
and confusion likely to arise from an en-
fOrceRent of the act of March 1st, 1892,
giving the line of succession to the Presi-
dent Of the Senate, or, If there is none, to
the Speaker of the House in the cOntin-
gercy therein provided for, and referred to
in many instances in which, II any such
contingency had arisen, these difficulties
would have been illustrated. Mr.. Beck re-
gsrded the substance of the bill reported by
the Judiciary Committee of the Senate in
1856, making the succe ssion fall on the
Judges of the Supreme Court officers, who
b I'd the qualifications required for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency,as bridging over
the difficulty. Mr.. Beck was opposed to
Mr.. Garlsnd's bill-vesting the succession
In Cabinet oficers-because in the event of
OdDlDeb
might not only be implicated with the Presi-
dent, but might be shown to have advised
the offense for which he is removed. Then,
too, the Cabinet members may not possess
the requisite qualifications for the Presl
deney in age and nativity.
Mr.. Maxey said that, taking the reason
aud spirit of the law and the consequences
which led to its enactment as the best eX-
ponent of its meaning and application, his
40 frrE rrras hot ha.N dnr1k Arn
not become President, nor entitled to take
the Oatbs as such pending the inability or
disability Of the President, but discharges
the powers and duties of the office by virtue
of his office as Vice President pendlng the
disability, aud no longer. He commented
at length upon the claim that the President
of the Senate Is no officer of the United
States, in the constitutional sense, and said
that in 1876 the Senate had, by a resolution,
declared that the office of President pro TEN.
Of The Senate is held at the pleasure Of The
Senate. II called to the Office of acting
President of the United States, while still
remaining President pro tenn. of the Senate,
would not the power OF the Sem
ate to change its presiding officer con-
tnue, and could It not thus secure daily
rotation in the executive Office by changing
its President pro TEN. every day, thus, per
haps, affOrding TO each of its members an
opportunity to be acting President of the
United States. In the interim between the
retirement of one and the election of an
other President pro TEN. the Speaker of the
House might claim that the time had come
for him to exercise the functions OF acting
President of the United States. In his Mr..
Maxey's) judgment the law as it stands vests
ia the President of the Senate dangerous
power.
Mr.. Anthony followed on the same sub
ject.
Mr.. Garland obtained the floor, but the
Senate went into executive session and ad-
journed.
UPToN's SUCCESSOR
1t is learned at the Treasury Department
this afternoon that ex Senator Paddock, of
Nebraska, will succeed Assist ant Secretary
Upton, who retires from the Treasury to-
day.
WATMoUGH's NOMINATION.
The Committee on Naval Affairs to-day
held their first meeting of the present ses-
sion and distributed to the sub committees
most OF the business thus far referred to
them. The nomination of Pay Director
Watmough as Paymaster General of the
Navy was, however, laid aside for cOnsidera-
iion hereafter by the full committee.
NOMINATIONS.
The President sent the following nomina-
tions to the Senate to-day: Commodores
George H. Cooper and John G. Beaumont
to be Rear Admirals; Captains Oscar q.
Badger and Stephen B. Luce 10 be CommO-