Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-28
XVII consREss EXTRA SESSION.
WASHINGTON. March 81.
SENATE.


After the reading of the journal Mr..
Dawes amended the regular order for the
election of Senate officers.
Mr.. Pendleton moved an executive ses-
sion, which WAS reiected-yeas %. nays ~
Mr.. Malone voting with the republicans.
The motion to lay the motion on the table
was lost-yeas IS, nays 30.
Mr.. Logan said that during the special SEES
sion of the Senate in 1858 officers of the
Senate had been elected. He ci,,-i this to
show that there was no precedent tor the
position now taken by the republicans.
Mr.. Harris said that this WAS the only pre-
cedent to be found. and called attention to
the fact that at that time all the old officers
were reelected except one, who was removed
for cause.
Mr.. Farley inquired Of Mr.. Logan if he
could find any precedent where the domin-
ant party had refused TO go into executive
session TO confirm or act upon nominations
made by its own President.
Mr. Logan replied Nv inquiring whether
the gentleman could find a precedent where
the minority had ever undertaken to rule the
majority.
Mr.. Farley replied that at this very SEES
sion minority of the Senate had for two
weeks filibustered against the organization of
Mr.. Morrill, read from a speech made two
wears ago by the Nestor of the democratic
side (Mr. Salisbury at the time when a
change was proposed, advising the republic
cans to reconcile themselves TO their posi-
ton AS minority, and like christian gentle
men to bear it manfully.
Mr.. Butler retorted by quoting from a
speech made at the same time by the Nestor
of the republican side MIR. 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 efficiently.
Mr.. Call opposed the resolutions, rs there
was doubt whether majority of the Senate
had not been procured by means in violation
of the constitution and laws, and condemned
by the Just sentiments 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 mercenary and venal consideration
for just and unbiased Judgment of the Senate.
He held it his duty to resist this resolution
which was proposed to bestow patronage on a
coalition OF parties diverse in their political
principles and in their pledges to the country.
At 2.20 motion to 90 into executive ses-
sion was defeated: yeas, %; nays, %.
Mr.. Beck referred to the statement made
yesterday by Mr.. Dawes that he supported
Nr. Riddlebarger because he belonged to a
body of men who opposed that party which
had its heel on the neck of the black man in
Virginia, and desired to call that Senators
attention to scene which had taken place in
the Virginia legislature. Mr.. Morse, a
colored man, who probably could neither
read or write, and who, therefore, would not
be entitled to vote in Massachusetts, had
arisen and made rather rambling speech,
in which he advocated the payment of the
State debt, and had then yielded to Riddle
barger. That gentleman thereupon had
offered a resolution to expel Mr.. Morse,
which was rejected. The man who had
sought to expell the ignorant but honest
championed BY the Senator from Massachu-
sets (Mr. Dawes.
Mr.. Groome--Does it appear whether Mr..
Riddlebarger proposed to expell him because
he was a colored man or because he was in
favor of the payment of the debt?
Mr.. Beck-A poor man, l suppose. and he
took double chance on him (laughter).
A motion to go into executive session hav-
ing been defeated Mr.. Malone took the floor
to address the Senate. This reused that
body, which had been very dull all day. into
something like attention. He was unfor-
tunate, he said, in having been absent from
the Senate yesterday when some illusions
had been to Mr.. Riddlebarger and himself
He had been indisposcd, and was still too
unwell to review the speeches.
Mr.. Dawes interrupted and said: If the
gentleman would prefer to go on Monday he
would move to adjourn, which was agreed to.