The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-24
Forty seventh COnGress-SpeciaI Ses-
sion Of the Senate.

WASHINGTON, March %, 1891.
I Mr.. VOORHEES, again submitted the resO-
luton which was offered yesterday and
subsequently Withdrawn. declaring that the
hostile attitude taken by the national banks
as TO the refunding OF the national debt
at a lower rate OF interest and their recent
attempt to dictate the legislation OF Con-
gress are contrary TO the best interests of
the people and calculated to excite their
alarm for the future.
| Mr. MOrrilPs point OF order was that the
resolution was not in order, inasmuch As it
was legislative proposition.
Mr.. Sherman thought that it would be I'M
| just TO the Chair TO require him TO decide a
point until all precedents on the question
| bad been cited. His recollection was that a
proposition like this had been debated in
| every executive session which had ever been
called, and he hoped that Mr. Voorhees,
would be permitted TO speak to the point OF
order.
Mr.. Morrill, said he had no objection to the
gentleman speaking TO the point. His only
reason for objecting to his speaking to the
resolution was that he desired to adjourn at
an early day, and hat the proposition would
probably give rise to protracted debate.
Mr.. VOORHEES, then proceeded TO argue
4
and cited from precedents to show that at
special executive session Of the Senate any
business could be transacted which did not
need the cooperation of the House Of Repre-
sentaliyes. He quoted from the opinions Of
such men as Chase, Seward, and Douglas TO
the effect that the Senate in special session
might do ANYTHING which was competent for
it 10 do by itself without the cooperation OF
4 ha hat
was embodied by Seward in a resolution
and unanimously adopted. He regretted
to convince any one against his will, and
most OF all the Senator from Michigan
(Mr. Ferry, who had yesterday sprung
10 his feet in opposition TO the presenta-
ton of the pending resolution, but it was
a fact that that gentleman had, during the
special session Of the Forty-third Congress,
offered a resolution abstractng from the
public domin the Island OF Macknaw -
and addressed TO the people, OF course-the
people OF Michigan. The Senator had made
a strong speech in favor OF the power Of the
Senate TO adopt the resolution, and it had
been adopted. The proposition which he
(Voorhees) had submitted needed no con-
currence by the House. 1t was TO give in
formation upon great overshadowing
question. 1t was TO give the Departments
OF this Government the opinion which the
Senate OF the United States entertained on
great public matter, and 1t might be very
important TO certain branches Of the Gov
eminent that an expression OF opinion
should be given.
Dir. Morrill, said il would seem from pre-
cedents that the Senate lad always great re-
luctance to doing anything except what 1t
had been specially called TO do. So far rs
be was concerned, however, he would with.
draw the point OF order, as the resolution
would at least have to go over until to-mor-
row, and II there was a disposition to dis
cuss this question, or any other, the Repub.
lican side OF the chamber was quite ready.
Mr.. Morrill, withdrew his point Of order