St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-10-22
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
UNITED STATES SENATE,

UNITED STATES SENATE,
THE assembling in special session of tn
United States Senate, the 10th, was wit
messed by large number of persons, wht
Ill ed the galleries to their utmost capacity
The desk formerly occupied by Senator Burn
side was tastefully draped with black, while
several bouquets ornamented the desks o
prominent senators. Senators elect Aldrich
lapham and Miller occupied seats upon the
floor on the Republican side. The Senate wa:
called to order by Mr.. Harris, after prayer b,
Chaplain Bullock, who alluded in feeling
manner to the death of President Garfield anC
Senator Burnside. The Presidents proclama
ton having been read, Mr. Pendleton moved
the adoption of the following resolution
That Thomas F. Bayard, a Sena. or from the
State OF ID tlaware, is hereby chosen President
pro tem OF the Senate. Mr.. Edmunds moved as
substitute that the Senator's elect be sworn
In previous to electing a presiding officer. Mr..
Pendleton moved to lay the motion on the ia
BILE Carried-yeas, Sc; nays, 81. Mr.. Davis,
of Illinois, voted with the Republicans i'll the
negative. Mr.. Malone did not vote, and Mr..
Platt and Mr.. Fair were paired. Mr. Ed
munds then proposed an amendment provid-
ing that Thomas +. Bayard shall be elected
presiding officer for this day only, and ar
gued in support of the amendment, contend
ing that it would comply with both the letter
and spirit of the law, and would allow the
States OF New York ana Rhode Island to have
voice in the election of a permanent Presi-
dent pro tenn. With dramatic effect he declared
That II the Democrats secured the Presidency
OF the Senate it would be "priZe won in the
lottery of assassination" Mr.. Vest criticised
the language used by Edmunds in intimating
that the Democrats were attempting to grasp
the prize made possible to them by an as
sassination The foul lips of the assassin
who had struck down the President had had
upon them no invocation for Democratic
success, but had the invocation for faction
OF the Republican party. If there was
a responsibility for the crime, directly or
Indirectly, it rested upon his political oppo-
nents and not with the Democratic party He
charges q
the Democrats of the country had anything
but tears for the dead President, sorrow for
his family and execration for the miserable
assassin. he declared it to be absolutely false.
yea and nay vote on Mr.. Edmundss amend
mcnt resulted in its defeat-yeas 33 nays, a.
Mr.. Edmunds then offered another amend.
ment substituting the name of Mr.. Anthony
for that of Mr. Bayard as President pro tenn. A
vote was at once taken and the amendment
deteated-yeas, 81; nays, 81: Mr.. Malone
did not vote. The original resolution, intro
duced BY MIR. Pendleton, was then adopted by
"a to 80. Mr.. Davis, of Illinois, did not vote;
Chair then appointed Messrs Anthony and
Pendleton to escort President pro tenn. Bayard
to the chair: On taking the chair, Mr.. Bayard
spoke as follows:
SENATORS: fully appreciate the honor put
upon me by this expression of your conf
dence, and in assuming the duties of Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate in obedience
to law and in accordance with the rules of
this body and the vote of the majority, l
should have greater misgivings of fulfilling
acceptably the requirements of the post were
it not for the assurance that so long as shall |
continue to exercise its duties shall receive |
your co operation and friendly aid, which |
now earnestly and confidently invoke at your
hands. We are all painfully mindful Of the |
unusual circumstances under which we met, I
and of the national bereavement which has |
caused this special session of the Senate.
sense of common sorrow and chastened
by the grief that penetrates every
household in one great family of States,
our proceedings may be marked by a spirit
of concession and harmony and generous
consideration for mutual differences of opin-
ion and sottening of partisan asperities, and
with high intent perform our duties in man
ner responsive to the demands of the occa-
sion and best interest of our common country.
With such hopes and in such spirit now as
sumo and shall endeavor to perform the du-
ties OF the high position to which your favor
has assigned me.
Mr.. Edmunds then moved that the Senator'S
elect be qualified, but Mr. Pendleton moved,
In order that the credentials of the new Sena
tors might be examined that the Senate ad-
lourn and this motion prevailed.
NELSON w. ALDRICH, the new Senator
rom Rhode Island, was sworn in without op-
position on the 18th. In the case of the sena-
ors- elect from New York, protest was pre-
.ented from several members of the New York
legislature, alleging certain reasons why
hey should not be admitted to seats. The .
petition was laid On the table for future CON
liberation and the oath of office administered, |
\ committee was appointed by the presiding |
'ihcer to wait upon the President and inform
Inn that the Senate was ready to receive any
communications be might be pleased to send
hem. The committee reported the President
would communicate in writing to the Senate I;
m the following day. Mr.. Edmunds offered
esolution that the standing committees of q
ne Senate, as they were constituted at the :
lose Of the last session, be continued for !,
he present session, and authorizing the Pres !
dent pro tenn. to fill any vacancies which t
nay exist therein. Laid oyer one day under ;
he rules. The Senate then adjourned.