Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-10-13
THE EXTRA SESSION.
Both Parties Hold Preliminary Cau'
cuses without Special Result.
Senator Bayard Elected President
Of the Senate.

WASHINGTON, oct. lU.-bobn hepuD-
Iican and Democratic Senators met in
caucus at the Capitol, at 10 o'clock this
morning. There was full attendance
at both of them, as nearly all CT the
absentees on Saturday have since arrived
and were present this morning.
The Republicans remained in session
but short time--less than half an hour
and merely mapped % plan Of action
to govern through the day.
The Democratic caucus remained in
session an hour or more, and discussed
the question which occupied so much of
their time on Saturday-whether or not
to admit the new Senators before elect
ing secretary. No decision was reach
ed, and the caucus adjourned.
The assembling of the special session
of the Senate was witnessed by large
number of persons, who as early as II
O'clock filed the galleries to their ut
most capacity.
The desk formerly occupied by Sena-
tor Burnside was tastefully draped with
black, while several bouquets orna-
mented the desks of prominent Senators.
Senator's elect Aldrich, Lapham and
Miller occupied seats upon the Republi-
can side.
The Senate was called to order by Mr..
Harris, who, after prayer by Chaplain
Bullock, who alluded in feeling man
ner to the deaths of President Garfield,
Senator Burnside and Secretary Burch,
said: ~ have been requested by num-
Der of Senator'S on both sides of the
Chamber to call the Senate to order. If
there be no objection, will call the
Senate to order that we may proceed
with it's business The Senate will
please come to order and the clerk will
report to the Senate the message of the
President converting this session of the
Senate"
| The Presidents proclamation having
been read, Mr.. Pendleton moved the
adoption of the following resolution
That Thomas F. Bayard, Senator from
the State of Delaware, is hereby chosen
President pro tenn. of the Senate.
Mr.. Edmunds said that of course he
did not object to the present considera
tion of the resolution, but he thought
that under existing circumstances il
was his duty to present the credential
of the Senators elect, which he there
upon did.
These credentials having been read
Mr.. Edmunds moved that the oath O
office be administered to those gentle
men by Mr.. Anthony, the senior Senator
Mr.. Pendleton moved to lay the mo
ton on the table. Carried-yeas sc
nays "a. Mr.. Davis, of Illinois, vote
with the Republicans in the negative
Malone did not vote and Platt and Fai
were paired.
Mr.. Edmunds said no reason had bee
given why the Senators elect should no
be allowed to take part in the organiza
ton of the Senate, and he therefor
moved to amend Mr.. Pendleton's resolu
ton by providing for the immediat
qualification of the Senators elect, tn
oath of Office to be administered b
Senator Anthony.
He said no reason had been given fo
this attempt to exclude two States fror
any voice in the organization Of tn
Senate, so he would take. the liberty t
state the reason himself. The Senat
had met under extraordinary circum
, stances, occasioned by events the const
quence of which might have put
within the legal technical power of
bare majority of the States conditional
to provide for the Presidential succe
sion, and to provide for it when, if the
. sister States were consulted, q differer
provision might be made. TO provid
for it now was to exclude the chose
! representatives Of two States who stoo
here ready to do their duty. He belize
9 ed if there was not some question ulterit
, to this mere one Of electing presidir
@ officer, there was not single Senate
;. who would vote "No" upon his propos
% ton.
\ Mr.. Garland declined to make any l.
ply to the intmatiOn that the Dem
- cratic Senators had some Interior obje
10 in view. They believed that they we
= acting lawfully, and had no apologies
make TO the Senator from Vermont
! any other person or body of persons.
= they made a mistake, it was mista
a which they would regret. The only @
n ject Of calling the Senate together,