The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-28
XLVIIth CONGRESS.
senate-Executive Session.

| WASHINGTON, March 26.-After reading the
Journal Mr.. Dawes demanded the regular order
for the election of Senate officers.
Mr.. Pendleton moved an executive session.
| Rejected, yeas %, nays %, Mr.. Malone present
and voting with the Republicans.
A motion to lay the motion on the table was
lost; yeas %, nays 30.
Mr.. Logan said that during a special session
OF the Senate in 1853, the officers of the Senate
were elected. He cited this to show that there
was precedent for the position now taken by
the Republicans.
Mr.. Harris said that that was the ouly pre-
cedent that could be found, and called atten-
ton to the fact that at that time all the old
officers were reelected except one who was re.
moved for cause.
Mr., Farley inquired of Mr.. Logan if he
could find any precedent where the dominant
party had refused to go into executive session
TO conhrm or act upon nominations made by its
own President.
Mr.. Logan replied by inquiring whether the
gentleman could find precedent where the
minority had ever undertaken to rule the ma
jority.
Mr.. Farley replied that at this yery session a
minority OF the Senate had for two weeks fill
bustered against the organization of the Senate
committees by the majority.
Mr. Morrill, read from speech made two
years ago by the Nestor of the Democratic side,
(Saulsbury) at time when change of officers
was proposed, advising the Republicans to re-
concile themselves to their position as minor
lty, and like Christian gentlemen to bear it
manfully.
Mr.. Butler retorted by quoting from speech
made at the same time by the Nestor of the
Republican side, (Anthony) in which he stated
that he did not think he would ever be found
advocating the removal of officers who had
performed their duties faithfully and efficient
ly.
Mr.. Call opposed the resolution. There was
inrifx af f1,aC I.
not been procured by means in violation of the
constitution and laws and condemned BY the
Just sentiment OF the country, and those who
did not oppose the resolution might become
parties to the commencement of practice, the
effect OF which might be to substitute mercen-
airy and venal considerations for the Just and
unbiased judgment of the Senate. He held it
his duty to resist this resolution, which pro-
posed to bestow patronage on a coalition of
partles, diverse in their political principles and
In their pledges to the country
At motion to 60 into executive session
was defeated-yeas %, nays 81.
Mr.. Beck referred to statement made YES
Gerday oy MIR. Dawes, that he supported Mr.
klddleberger because he belonged to body of
men VINO opposed that party which had its heel
on the neck OF the black man in Virginia and
desired to call that Senator's attention to
scene which had taken place in the Virginia
Legislature. Mr.. Morse, a colored man (who
probably could not read or write, and who,
ouoreiore, WouIu not De entitled to vote in
Msssachusetts), had arisen and made rather
rambling speech, in which he advocated pay
ment OF the State debt, and had then yielded
to Mr. Riddleberger. That gentleman there
upon had offered resolution to expel Mr..
Morse, which was rejected. The man who had
sought to expel the ignorant but honest color
ed man was the man who was now championed
by the Senator from Massachusetts,, Mr..
Dawes.
Mr.; Groome-Does it appear whether Mr..
Riddleberger proposed to expel him because he
was colored man or because he was in favor
of paying the debt.
Mr.; Beck-Poor man, 1 suppose he took
double chance on him. Naughter)
A motion to go into executive session having
been defeated, Mr.. Malone took the floor to
address the Senate. This aroused that body
which had been very dull all day, into some.
thing like attention. He was unfortunate. he
said, in having been absent from the Senate
yesterday when some illusions had been made
to MIR. Riddleberger and himself He had
been 1ndisposed and was still too unwell to re-
view the speeches.
MIR. Dawes interrupted, and said that if the
gentleman would prefer to go on on Monday,
he would move to adjourn, which motion was
at $50 O'Clock agreed to.