Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-06
The Senate.


suddenly called away from the city, and his
letter designating Senator Ingalls, to perform
the duties of the chair that day was in exact
conformity with letter from former pre-
siding officer (Thurman) in pursuance of
which member (Eaton) temporarily dis
charged the duties of the chair without OBJ
lection. Since this precedent has been re.
garded of doubtful authority, the chair, de-
string to guide his action by
feel obliged by decision that would
relieve this important question of it's obvious
embarrassment. Senator Anthony thought If
discussing the question would have the effect
OF emphasizing the necessity for better regu.
lation OF the presidential succession, it was
fortunate it had occurred. After brief re-
marks by Senator's Garland, Logan and Sher-
man, the committee on rules was instructed
to inquire into and report upon the question.
Senator Lapham reported favorably the bill
for an amendment to the constitution giving
suffrage to women. Senator George presented
minority report.
Senator Pendleton offered resolution re.
questing the president to transmit all cores
pondence not heretofore communicated
between the state department and Prescott
and Walker Blaine on the Peruvian-Chili
matters. Adopted.
Senator Pendleton offered resolution in
structing the committee on civil service to in
quire and report whether any attempt is being
made to levy and collect money for partisan
purposes from parties in the government en-
ploy in Washington, whether under the guise
of asking voluntary contributions or other
WISE. Laid oyer upon objection by Senator
Plumb.
Senator Van Wick offered a resolution recit-
ing that printed circulars are being sent to
employees in the civil service of the govern
ment, containing the following: "Under the
circumstances in which the coun-
try finds itself placed the com
mittee believe you will esteem it
| both privilege and pleasure to make up its
fund by contributions, which it is hoped may
not be less than s.. The committee is
| tributions from per sons employed in the ser
vice of the United States will not be objected
| to in any official quarter. Please make o
| prompt and favorable response to this letter
| by bank check, or draft, ETC." The resolution
mentions the prohibition of statute $3.50 of
1876 against the solicitation of parties for
contributions by officials, and directs inquiry
| the authority for the allegations that such as
sessment will not be objected to in any official
| quarter.
Laid over upon objection by Senator Plumb.
Senator Mcmillan introduced q bill provid-
| ing for an agreement with the Sioux Indians
| of Dakota for cession of part of the great
Sioux reservation to the United States and to
define the boundaries of the separate reserva-
tiOns.
| By Senator Plumb Requiring the public
printer to report whether the employment of
cOmpOsitOrs or Others in the government
printing Office was hampered or qualified by
the rules or regulations of any organization,
secret or open; whether employees there are
| under any obligation which requires them to
| abandon their employment at the dictation of
any person or association; whether the pub
lie printer regards himself as under any
obligation expressed or implied to any organ
| ization as to personal character or qualification
of any person employed, or to be employed, in
the office in any capacity whatever, and
whether the prosecution of the business of the
office is in any wise dependent upon the action
of any organization existing inside or outside
of the Office. Adopted without debate.
By Senator Restricting that less than a
| month remains before the beginning of the
next fiscal year, and that under the law of the
department advertisements must be made for
certain period prior to making contracts for
clothing, supplies, etc., and in any case at least
four weeks before the contracts, that naval,
sundry civil and Legislative appropriation
bills have not yet reached the senate and in
structing the senate committee on appropri-
alton to report as soon as possible on
several general appropriation bills necessary
for the support of the government for the
next fiscal year, which have not been sent by
| the house to the senate up to this time.
| The resolution was laid over until to-mor-
row upon Senator Beck's suggestion.
| The consideration of the army bill was re-
considered, the question being upon the SEN
ate committee amendment providing for vol
untary retirement Of army officers after forty
| years service and their compulsory retire
ment at sixty.two years of age.
Senator Bayard asked the two features to
be voted upon separately, and it was SO Or
dered.
| The first branch of the amendment pre-.
vailed without dissent.
Senator Bayard moved to amend the second
branch of the question by providing for CON-
pulsory retirement at sixty-fve instead Of
| sixty-t years.
Senator Butler moved to further amend BY
exempting from this requirement generals
| who have received the thanks of congress.
Senator Logan, in opposing the amendments,
said the exception of the general officers pro-
vised by Senator Butler would permanently
prevent the promotions of colonies. Upon
the point made by Senator Maxey, that Napo-
leon won his distinction by his own efforts,
without aid OF the retired list to remove his
superiors in command, Senator Logan said, in
the French service officers received their
commissions, not by promotion, as
in our own country, but by
designation or appointment and that argu.
ment therefore was no good. He referred to the
various foreign military establishments and
had read at the close an interesting historical
sketch in support of his argument that the
necessity for the age qualification for service
applied with greater force in the military pro.
fession than in others because of the energy
and skill and physical endurance required;
also that the military chieftains of history
acquired their fame at youth
full periods and that no instance
was recorded in which successful command
er had attained to the age of sixty-two years.
After Senator Logan had urged that in dispos-
ing Of the question upon its merit, the senate
should ignore social and other outside in
fuences brought to bear in behalf of personal
interest, Senator Maxey presented an array
of figures showing that the present aggregate
annual cost of the retired list, numbering 600
officers to be $9l2.932. He estimated the in
creased cost from enlargement OF the list as
proposed at over $S00, 600.
Senator Hawley advocated the compulsory
proposition. If incapacitated officers were
not retired they must be given full pay, and |
the government must maintain either retired
list or hospital.
Senator Logan suggested that under the |
present practice an officer retired from duty
and placed On waiting orders on account Of |
his age. draws full pay. although all his duties
devolved on another. .
Senator Hawley went on TO argue that our |
necessities and our needs, in view of the terri.