The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-10-20
UNITED STATES SENATE.
SESSION EXTRAORDINARY.

THE United States Senate met in special ses-
sion on the 10th inst, Senator Harris, of Ten
nessee, calling the body to order by previous
arrangement. After prayer by the Chaplin,
the Presidents proclamation was read. Mr..
Pendleton then offered resolution, agreed
upon by the Democratic caucus, to make Mr..
Bayard President of the Senate pro tenn. Mr..
Edmunds Immediately rose and pre-
sented the credentials Of Messrs. Lapham,
Miller and Aldrich, the three Senators elect,
and moved they be sworn in by Senator An
thony. Pendleton moved to lay the motion
on the table, which was carried by So to "a,
DAVIS, of Illinois, voting with the Republicans,
Malone being absent and Platt and Fair
paired. After considerable debate, Mr.. Bayard
was elected President pro tenn. for the day
only, whereupon that gentleman took the
chair and proceeded to read from manuscript
brief address. Mr.. Edmunds again moved to
have the waiting members-elect sworn in, there
being no legal excuse for keeping New York
and Rhode Island unrepresented In the pro-
ceedings, but Mr.. Pendleton forthwith moved
to adjourn and the motion was carried by the
Democrats. At this point Senator Hoar en-
deavored to call the attention of the Senate to
the fact that it was adjourning without mott
flying the PRESIDENT of its organization,
but Mr.. Pendleton replied that they de-
sired to examine the credentials of the
new members before acting upon them, al
though there WAS no allegation that they were
not prinld f1cie regular and in due firm. The
Democrats then went into caucus respecting
the election of Secret Try, death having re-
moved Colonel Burch, the Democratic Secre-
tary of the Senate.
In the Senate on the 11th inst, Mr.. Ed
munds, rising to q question of the highest
privilege, moved the oath of Office be adminis-
tered to Nelson W. Aldrich, Senator-elect from
Rhode Island. There being no objection, the
motion was agreed to, and Mr.. AldIich sworn
in. Mr.. Edmunds then made similar motion
in the cases of the Senators-elect from New
York. Mr.. Mcpherson interposed and stated that
he desired to present a petition pending that
motion. He held in his hands communica-
tion from certain members of the New York
Legislature, alleging certain reasons why
Messrs. Lapham and Miller we're not entitled
to seats in the Senate. With regard to these
allegations he knew nothing. He did not
present the petition with any desire to
delay action upon the administration of the
oath. He offered the petition, and would re-
fer 1t at the proper time to an appropriate COM
mittee. Mr.. Edmunds said that as the pc
tition referred to the propriety of swearing in
the new Senators from New York, he
would not object to its reception at the
present time. The petition was ceived
and laid upon the table, and the oath of Office
| administered to the Senators from New York.
A committee consisting of Messrs. Pendle-
| ton and Anthony was appointed to wait upon
| the President and inform him that the
| Senate was ready to receive any COM
munication he might be pleased to send
| them. recess for half an hour was taken.
| After the recess Mr.. Edmunds offered q resolu-
| ton declaring the standing committees of the
Senate, as they were constituted at the C 'ose of
the last session of the Senate, be continued for
the present session, and authorizing the Presi-
dent pro tenn. to fill any vacancies
which may exist therein. Mr.. Harris
asked that the resolution lie over
One day under the rule. So ordered. The
committee appointed to wait upon the Presi-
| dent reported that it had performed its duty,
and that the President had stated he would
communicate in writing with the Senate, where
upon the body adjourned for the day.
On the 18th Mr.. Edmunds called up his res.
olution containing for the present session the
standing committees of the Senate as consti
| tuted last session. Mr.. Garland opposed, where
upon Mr.. Edmunds said he would not press
the resolution for the time being. After
short and unimportant executive session, the
body adjourned.
Mr.. Edmund's resolution for the re-appoint
ment of the standing committees of the las
session, was adopted on the 18th, after which
Senator Logan offered resolution to appoin
Judge Davis President pro tenn. MIR. Pendle
| ton objected to its present consideration, ant
in some quarters the conclusion was jumped a
that the Democrats would make an opposition
| when it did come up. The Senate went into ex
ecutive session. This session lasted but twent,
minutes, and as soon as the doors were opened
Senator Harris being in the chair, Mr.. Pendle
ton withdrew his objection to the present con
sideration of Mr.. Logan's motion. A vote wa
taken, and Mr.. Davis chosen, neither he no
Bayard voting either way. Messrs. Bayard an,
Anthony were appointed to conduct him to tn
chair. He made a brief speech reaffirming hi
own partisan position, and the Senate at ono
proceeded to other business.
On the 14th Mr.. Morgan offered resolution
which was adopted, calling on the Secretary o
the Treasury for a copy of the orders made b
him since the 2Sth of July, relating to the pay
ment of Senators and officers of the Senate
together with the reports or decisions Of tn
officers of the Treasury Department touchin
the power of the Secretary of the Treasury il
ordering payment. Distinguished French an
German visitors visited the Senate Chamber
and a recess of half an hour was taken fo
| social intercourse,