Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-10-11
MEETING OF THE AMER
ICAN HOUSE or LORDS.
A Number Of Persons Witness the Assem-
bling Of the Session-Senator Bayard
Made President Pro Tempors Of
the Senate-Address to the
Senators-Adjounmsnt.
the PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION.
THE EXTRA SESSION.

! OF persons who, as early as IL O'CLOCK,
filled the galleries to their utmost ca
pacity. The desk formerly occupied by
Senator Burnside was tsstefully draped
with black, while several boquets orns-
mented the desks Of prominent Sena-
tors. The Senators elect Aldrich, Lap
ham and Miller occupied SEATS
upon the floor on the Republican 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: 81 have been requested by num-
Der of Senator'S on both sides OF the
chamber to call the Senate to order. IL
there be no objection, will call
the Senate to order that we may
proceed with its business. The
Senate will please come to order.
Clerk will report to the Senate
The Message of the President
conveniug 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 TEN. OF the Sen
ate"
Mr.. Edmunds said that OF course he
did not object to the present corsidera-
ton Of the resolution, but he thought,
under existing circumstances, 1t
was his duty to present
the credentials of the Senators elect,
which he thereupon did. The creden-
tials having been read, Edmunds
moved that the oath Of Office be admin
istered to those gentlemen by Senator
Anthony, the senior Senator.
Mr.. Pendleton moved to lay the
motion on the table. Carried, yeas Sc;
NAYS 81. Davis of Illinois voted with
the Republicans on the negative.
Malone did net vote, and Platt and Fair
were paired.
Mr.. Edmunds said no reason had
been given why the Senators elect
should not be
Allowed TO TaKe Part in the Organizs-
ton
OF the Senate, ard he therefore moved
to amend Mr.. Pendleton's resolution by
providing for the qualifications Of the
Senators elect, and that the oath OF Of.
flee he administered by Senator An
thony.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Ed
muuds to Mr.. PendIeton's resolution
gave rise 10 short discussion, but was
finally rejected; yeas 80, nays 81. Ma
hone and Davis, of Illinois, voting with
the Republicans.
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
amendment, contending that it would
comply with both the letter and the
spirit OF the law, and would allow the
States OF New York and Rhode Island
to have a voice in the election OF per-
manent President pro temp0re
Mr.. Vest criticised the language used
by Mr.. Eimunds in intimating that the
Democrats were attempting to grasp
prize made possible to them by an assas'
sination. The foul lips of the assassin
who had struck down the President
had had upon them no invocation TOR
Democratic success, but the invocation
had been for
Faction OF the Republican Party.
As there was responsibility for crime,
directly or indirectly, it rested upon his
political opponents and not with the
Democratic party. He charges no one,
but the lnsinuation that the Democrats
of the country had anything but tears
for the dead President, sorrow for his
family, and execration for the miserable
assassin, he declared to be absolutely
false. He contended, in the course OF
further remarks, that it was the duty OF
the Democratic senators to elect q
President pro tsn. and recalled the
phrase so often quoted at the last ses-
sion OF the Senat- that the voice OF
constitutional majority to-day happen
ed to be on the Democratic side and OF
course, in the opinion of his Republl-
can friends, its voice was scarcely di-
vine utterance."
Senator Beck referred to the actiSa Q;
Democratic President of the Senate
after Fillmore acceded to the Presidency
OF the United States.
Mr.. Edmunds inquired If the Senators
of two States were denied voice in that
election.
Mr.. Beck said they were not, nor had
a Vice President refused to give the Sem
ate sn opportunity to elect q President,
nor had two Senators
Enacted Comic Tragedy by ResigninE
This reference TO ConSling and Platt
elected \ shout of applause from the
galleries, which shocked the decorum OF
the Senate. Chairman Harris gave no
tice that for another similar demoustra-
ton he would have the galleries cleared.
A yea and nay vote en- Edmunds'
amendment, resulted in its defeat by
vote of SO to "a. Eimunds then offer
| ed another amendment substituting the
name Of Senator Anthony for that OF
| Senator Bayard as President pro tempore.
| A vote was at once taken and the
amendment defeated. Yeas 81; nays
! "a. Mahone voted with the Republi-
cans Senator David Davis did not
| vote.
On taking the chair Mr.. Bayard spoke
as follows: tSenAtors, / fully appreciate
the honor put upon me by this express
sion Of your confidence, and in assuming
| the duties of President pro tsmpOre OF the
Senate, In obedience to law and in &C
cordance with the rules of this body and
vote of a msionty. l should have
greater misgivings OF fulfilling accept
ably the requirements of the post were
il not for the assurance that so long as
shall continue to exercise its duties
shall receive
Your Co-Operation and Friendly Aid
which now earnestly and confidently
invoke at your hands. We are all pain
fully mindful OF the unusual circum.
stances under which We meet and OF
the national bereavement which has
Ecaused thts special session Of the Senate.
| May It not be hoped that, touched by q
sense Of common sorrow and ehastened
by the grief that penetrates every house.
hold in one great family OF States.
Eour proceedings may be marked
by spirit of concession
and harnony and generous considera-
ton for mutual differences Of opinion,
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