The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-10-20

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fDaGNDs' RESOLUTIONS AgAfS.
WAsnSGroS, October l9.--Mr, Lamar
offered Il resolution requesting the presi-
dent TO advise the senate whether any &C.
lion has been taken by the government
since the last session of tho senate toward
protecting the rights and interests Of the
United States In the project of the Inter
Oceanic canal ut Panama. The motion was
laid on the table for future action
Mr. Edmunds called up his resolution
continuing the standing committees OF the
senate as they were constituted ut the last
session.
Mr.. Garland offered an amendment pro-
viding that only the following committees
shall be continued; On foreign relations,
finance, commerce, military affairs. judi
ciary, postoflices and roads, public lands,
pensions and Indian affairs.
He contended that the committees named
were the only ones which would have any
work to do during the special session.
Mr.. Edmunds opposed the amendment.
There were committees which were not pro
vided for which, in his opinion, would
be necessary in order to perform the work
of the session. He instanced the commit
tee on privileges and elections as one which
should be organized. There was on the
table now petition presented by the sena-
tor from New Jersey, Mcpherson, said to
seriously affect the right of senator from
New York to a seat in this body. That
ought to be inquired into. Then there was
the committee on railroads which might
have work to do. 1t was known from pub
lie report that there had been an
important officer suspended for
some supposed failure to. perform his duty,
and by law it was required that such sus-
pension should be reported to the senate.
The committee on contingent expenses was
also necessary committee.
NJ .4~l al l. Ia III r.,
his amendment so as to continue the com
mittee on privileges and elections and con-
tingent expenses. He thought that it would
then include all the committees that it was
necessary to organize at this time.
Mr.. Garland's amendment was rejected;
yeas IS, nays 81, Davis, of Illinois, and
Malone, of Virginia, voting with the repub-
leans.
Mr.. Edmund's resolution was then adopt
ed; yeas 81 nays 80. The standing commit.
tee are, therefore, continued as constituted
at the last session, and the president pro
TEN. is authorized to fill any vacancies which
may exist.
As soon as the result was announced Mr..
Logan rose and offered a resolution Tor the
election of David DAVIS, senator from Hi
nois, as president pro tenn. of the senate.
Mr.. Pendleton asked that the resolution
lay over one day under the rules, and it
was so ordered. The senate then at 1910
went into executive session.
On the reassembling oftilc senate Pende-
ton withdrew his objection to consider the
resolution contemplating the election OF
Davis as president pro TEN.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, spoke in opposi-
ton to the adoption of the resolution but
it was adopted and Mr. Davis was chosen
president pro TEN, and was escorted to the
chair by Messrs Bayard and Anthony.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, opposed the reso-
lutinT IIa sold In at bnfnrp tho rpSOlutlo
was submitted to vote he wished to reiter-
ate a protest which he had once made here
on this subject by denying the power Of the
senate to do this thing. 1t was said
that this question was no longer open; ;
the precedent had been established in the
the senate to choose at will its presiding Of
icer had been affirmed. He held that Il e
action of the senate would not be recorded
as a precedent. Congress, by act of 1892,
had declared that the presiding officer
of the senate should succeed in
certain contingencies to the Office of presi-
deaf of the United States. He contended
that the president pro tenn, having once
been elected, the constitution fixed the
term of his office. A more unwIse prece-
dent had never been established by the
senate than that which declared that this
body should have the power,
in case of anything unfortu-
|
of the presidential office to enter into con-
| test for the presidency ofthe United States.
4 vote was then taken on Logan's reso-
| luton and it was adopted: yeas SO, nays
| 30, Davis, of Illinois, retaining from voting,
| and Bayard when his name was called said:
| II propose to withhold my vote. | have
never obtained an Office by my vote and
never shall retain it by my vote. am
| glad the question is taken up to-day" Mr..
Davis was then escorted TO the chair by
Messrs. Bayard and Anthony, the respec-
| tive democratic and republican candidates
| for the same office.
On taking the chair Mr.. Davis said:
"Senators-The honor just conferred
comes as did the seat which i now occupy
in this body, without any cxpecta-
ton on my part. If it carried
Observation-Disclosures, i should be constrained
to decline this high compliment. ! do not
accept it as tribute TO my personal merit,
but rather as recognition of the indepen;,
dent position which ! have long occupied
am profoundly grateful for, this
mark Of confidence, and IL
shall be my endeavor as it will be my duty
to administer the trust with impartiality
and entire fairness. Not having been
trained in the parliamentary practice, beg
the indulgence of the senate in this respect,
and hope for generous cooperation on all
sides"
On motion of Logan, a committe consist
ing of Bayard and Logan was appointed by
the chair to await on the president and an
nounce to him the election of Mr.. Davis, OF
Illinois, as the president pro tenn.
The resolution offered yesterday by Kel-
logg, calling for the papers in the state de-
partment, in the case of Vincero Robello,
was adopted after being amended so as to be
addressed TO the president instead of to the
secretary of state.
Mr.. Voorhees, stated that he had received
communication from lady which had in
duced him to offer the following resolution:
Resolved, That the joint committee on
the library be instructed TO inquire into the
expediency of causing medal TO be made
in gold, commemorative OF the tragedy and
most lamentable death Of Jas. A. Garfield,
late president Of the United States.
The resolution was referred 10 the COM
mittee ON the library, together with the
letter alluded 10, chs.makes the suggest
ton that gold medal be struck and
presented to Harry Garfield, the late presi-
dents oldest son, and that similar bronze
medals be presented to the presidents oabi-
net, members Of the senate and house Of
representatives and the surgeons who at
tended President Garfield.