Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-18
XVII CONGRESS- EXTRA SESSION.
Vote on Confirming Judge Robertson
Assigned for Wednesday.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, May IL.
Mr.. Davis of Va. after reading the Jour
nal. inquired ironically of Mr.. Dawes, II ne
va, now ready to proceed with the considers
ton of the resolution for the election OF
Senate officers.
Mr.. Doves replied that whatever the ma
jority Of the Senate should decide on that
resolution he would bow to it. He would not
be found resisting the will Of the Senate IT.
self.
If the senator from West Virginia had be-
come from anv accidental occurrence on the
republican side ready TO submit TO the VIII Oh
the majority because he believed that there
was majority on his side, he dawes mad
not a word to say. but he was willing to bow
to the will of the majority for him or against
him.
Mr.. Davis said he was glad that the SEN
ator from Massachusetts was willing to pro-
coed with pending business which he had
been so anxious TO 90 on with during the past
month.
Mr.. Dawes regretted that the senator was
ambitious TO expose the ground on which he
which he stood One would suppose when
the United States senator took the position he
was inconsistent radically with the funda-
mental principles of government. but that
the majority should not rule unless the ma
iority would do as he wanted TO. He would
not he ambitious TO uncover himself to the
American people.
Mr.. Dawes would remind the senator that
the scriptures spoke in not commemorate
terms Of men who made themselves bare to
the gaze of an indignant public, exposing
themselves and their shame.
The senator had no higher ground for his
opposition to the resolution than that he was
tba r.sulf IN Yesterday
would be against him. and now he woke up
to alarming and new zeal for the passage OF
the resolution. simply because an accidental
majority had yesterday morning been turned
upon him. So far as Mr.. Dawes was con-
cerned no motion which the senator might
make in regard to the resolution would meet
with any opposition beyond the force OF his
vote.
Mr.. Davis regretted that the senator should
have referred to the scriptures TO support
him. 1t did not come from the right direc-
ton. He would like to know how long this
accidental ma ority" was going to continue.
The democrats had had this accidental ma
jority" three or four times. He had asked
more in pleasantly than otherwise, whether
the senator from Massachusetts desired to
proceed to the consideration OF his resolution.
Mr. Davis had no wish to force it.
Mr.. Dawes moved to go into executive SEES
sion. and declined to yield to Mr.. Burnside
to call up his Inter Oeanic resolution.
Mr. Burnside thereupon said that he would
call it up and ask the Senate to dispose OF II
in one way or the other.
The Senate then went into executive SEES
sion.
The nomination of Judge Robertson, Gen.
Merritt and Gen. Badeau were then reported
back from the committee on commerce, and
placed on the calender with the committees
recommendation for confirmation, and will
called up for action tomorrow.
The Senate in executive session confirmed
the nomination of Frederick Douglass as
Recorder of Deeds of the District of Column
bia Some opposition and considerable de-
bate was had, but he was confirmed by an
erwhelmng majority.
When the doors re-opened at 4.05, Mr..
Saunders submitted a preamble and resOlu-
tons which were ordered printed. providing
for an investigation by the judiciary commit
tee. into the relations of the Central Pacific
Railroad, to its based lines and other matters
mentioned in a recent letter of the Auditors
accounts, in which that official says: "Whie
the amount of the cent. earnings of the
Union Pacific Railroad has steadily increased
since 1874 that of the Central Pacific has
Yearly as steadily decreased"
Mr.. Bavard offered the following, which
was laid on the table for action -
Resolved, That a committee consisting OF
two Senators he appointed by the chair to
wait upon the President. and inquire if he has
any other business to lay before the Senate
The Senate then adjourned until tomorrow