The Russellville Democrat., 1881-10-20
BAYARD PRESIDENT PRO ITEM.
The Assembling of the Senate Causes a Warm Time as to Who Should be
 Presiding Officer.

Presiding Officer.
 WASHINGTON, Oct. 10.-Much interest was shown here to-day in the organization of the senate. At an early hour this morning spectators began to enter the senate gal leries. An hour before the assemblage of the senate nearly every available seat was occupied, and by 12 o'clock hundreds of persons were crowded thick in the Hobbies and corridors, vainly seeking admission. The c.ucuses of both Republicans and Democrats adjourned some time before noon, and senators gathered in the chamber between 11:30 asd 12, and spent consider able time in hand-shaking and social con- yersation. Most of them appeared to have thoroughly recovered from the work oflast winter and the long, tedious, wearing struggle of the extra session. Senator Ben Hill is the only one who has in the inter- min changed for the worse in appearance. His face shows recent suffering. He has stmuch flesh and has by no means re- covered from his affiiction. There was among the spectators great Curiosity to know what would be the first step in
 THE DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
 It was feared by many that an unpleasant squabble might take place at the begin- ming but there was feeling of relief when Senator Harris, on taking the chair an- nounced that he had been requested to do so by senators on both sides of the chamber. It was then known that the course of the proceedings for the day had been marked out by the leaders on both sides.
 The presidents proclamation having been read Pendleton moved the adoption of the following resolution: That Thomas Bayard, a senator from the state of Dela- ware, is hereby chosen president pro tenn. of the senate.
 Edmunds said that of course he did not object to the consideration of this resolution, but he thought under existing circum- stances it was his duty to present the ere dentials of the senators elect, which he thereupon did.
 The credentials having been read, Ed munds moved that the oath of office be administered to these gentlemen by Senator Anthony, the senior senator.
 Pendleton moved to lay the motion on the table. Carried: Yeas, 3e nays, 34. Davis of Illinois voted with the Republicans in the negative. Malone did not vote, and Platt and Fair were paired.
 Edmunds said no reason had been given why the senators elect should not be al- lowed to take part in the organization of the senate, and he, therefore, moved to amend Pendleton's resolution, by providing for the immediate qualification of the mem- bers elect, the oath of office being adminis- tered by Senator Anthony.
 The amendment offered by Edmunds to Pendletons resolution gave rise to short discussion, but was finally rejected: Yeas, B; nays, 34; Malone and Davis of Illinois voting with the Republicans.
 MT. Edmunds then proposed an amend ment providing that Thomas F. Bayard shall be elected presiding officer for this day only, and argued in support of the amend ment contending that it would comply with both the letter and spirit of the law and would allow the states of New York and Rhode Island to have a voice in the election off permanent president pro tenn.
 A yea and nay vote on Bdmunds' amend ment substituting the Rame of Senator Anthony for that of Senator Bayard for president pro penn. A vote was at once taken and the amendment defeated-yeas, 32 nays, 34. Malone voted with the Re- publicans. Senator David Davis did not vote.
 The original resolution, introduced by Pendleton, was then adopted by 34 to 32. Davis of Illinois did not vote. Malone voted with the Republicans.
 The chair then appointed Senators An thony and Pendleton to escort President pro tenn. Bayard to the chair.
 On taking the chair Mir. Bayard spoke as follows:
 sENAroRs--I fully appreciate the honor put upon me by this expression of our con ldence, ana Tn assuming the uutleS or President pro tenn. of the senate, in obedi- enee to law and in accordance with the rules of this body and the vote of the ma jority, I should have greater misgivings of fulfilling acceptably the requirements of the post, were it not for the assurance that so long as l shall continue to exercise it's duties shall receive your cooperation and friendly aid, which I now earnestly and confidently invoke at your hands. We are all painfully mindful of the unusual cir cumstances under which we met, and of the national bereavement which has caused this special session of the senate. May it not be hoped that tosched by a sense of the common sorrow and chastened by the grief that penetrates every household in one great family of states, our proceedings may be marked by a spirit of concession and harmony and generous consideration of the mutual differences of opinion and soitening of partisan asperities and high intent, perform our duties in a manner responsive to the demands of the occasion and the best interests of our coamon country. With such hopes and in such spirit, now assume and shall endeayor to perform the duties of the high position to which your favor has assigned me.
 Without admitting the new senators the senate adjourned.
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