The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-14
United States senato.
FOURTH DAY OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.

FOURTH DAY OF JHh SPkClAL SESSiON.
WAsHINGToN, October 13.-Mr. Lamar
offered a resolution requesting the Presi-
dent to advise the Senate whether any &C.
/ ton has been taken 10y the Government
since the last session OF the Senate toward
protecting the rights and interests OF the
United States in the project Of the inter
oceanic canal at Panama. Laid on the
table for future action.
/ Mr.. Edmunds called up his resolution
continuing the standing committees OF the
Senate as they were constituted last ses-
sion.
MIR. Garland offered an amendment pro-
yiding that only the following committees
shall be continued: Foreign Relations,
| Finance, Commerce, Military Affairs, Ju-
dietary, Post-OfiiccS and Roads, Public
Lands, Pensions, and Indian Affairs. lie
contcnded that the committees 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 had not been
provided for, which, in his opinion, would
/ be necessary in order TO perform the work
OF the session. He instanccd the Committee
on Privileges and Elections rs one which
should be organized. There was on the
table now a petition presented by the Sena-
tor from New Jersey (McPhcrson), said to
seriously affect 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 Railroads, which might
/ have work to do. 1t was known from
public report that there had been an Inn
/ poltMit officer suspended for some supposed
/ failure 10 perform his duty, and by law 1t
was required that such suspension should
be reported to the Senate Committee OF
I Contingent Expenses, which was neccs-
sary committee.
Mr.. Garland stated that he would modify
I his amendment so As TO continue the CON-
mittees OF Privileges and Elections and
! Contingent Expenses. lie thought that 1t
would then include all committees which
/ It was necessary to organize Mt this time.
| Mr.. Garland's amendment was rejected
yeas, So; nays, 81. Davis, OF Illinois, and
/ Malone voting with the Republicans.
Mr.. Edmundo'S resolution was then
adopted-yeas, 81; nays, b.
! The Standing committees are therefore
continued rs constituted ut the Inst session,
and the President pro ten. Is authorized TO
| fill any vacancy which may exist.
As soon as the result was announced MI.
| Logan rose and offered resolution for the
election OF David Davis, senator from ilil-
nois, as President pro tenn. OF the Senate.
Dir. PendIeton asked that the resolution
lie over one day under the rules, and it was
4 30 ordered.
The Senate then, at 70 O'Clock, went into
executive session.
On the Resembling OF the Senate Mr..
Pcndleton Withdrew his objection to con-
I az fr,fr n
election OF Mr.. Davis President pro teiR.
lIr. Jones OF Florida opposed the resolu-
ton. He said that before the resolution
was submitted TO vote nc wished to re-
iterate the protest which he had once made
here on this subject, by denying the power
of the Senate 10 do this thing. Ii was said
that this question WAS - longer open, that
= precedent had been established in the
Forty-fourih Congress by which the right
of the Senate to choose Ut will Its pre-
siding officer had been affirmed. Tic
hoped that that action OF the Senate
would not be regarded rs a precedent.
Congress, by the act of 1892, bad declared
Tint the presiding officer OF the Senate
should succeed I'm certain contingencies 10
the Office OF President OF the United STATES
He confcnded that the President pro iem'
having once DctH ttuitett, siC Nct'i7'''"e''
dxed the tenure of his Office. A more un-
wise precedent had never been established
by the Senate than that which declared that
flat body should have the power, in case OF
ANYTHING unfortunate happening TO the
nresent incumbent oil the presidential Of
ice. TO enter into contest for the prcsi-
dcney OF the United States.
vote was then taken on Mr.. Logan's
resolution, and it was adopted--yoas, 10 f;
Mr. Davis Of Illinois RETAINED from
voting. and Mr.. Bayard, when his name
was called, said; 81 propose to withhold
NV vote. / have never obtained Office by
INV vote, and | never shall retain IL by my
vote. / am glad the question Is taken up
to-day" os
to the chair by Mcssrs. Bayard ana An
thony. the respective Democratic ana he
nublican candidates for the same Office.
ON taxing the chair Mr.. Davis said
q Senators.-The honor Just conferred
ccnes. as The seat which i now occupy III
thIs body did, without any expectation on
INV part. II il carried any party op'lga-
tious should be consiraincdto decline lhis
hich compliment ! do not accept y as
tribute 10 any personal merit, but rather rs
: recognition Of the Independent positioh
which I have long occupied IN the poilI!cs,
~ fhe country. am profoundly gra,eiui
Sor this marx Of confidence, and u siia'l DC