The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-20
THE SENATE.

New Measures Observation-Disclosures Debate
the New Rules.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-.Mr. Mcmillan present
ed resolution of the Legislature of Minnesota
asking the erection of shear booms at railroad
bridges across the Mississippi
Bills were introduced follows
By Mr.. Cullom: To provide for acceptance by
the United States OF the Illinois & Michigan ca
canal from Illinois.
By Mr.. Fair: To provide for the sinking of ar
tesian wells on lands OF the United States in Ne
vada,
By Mr.. ingalls,: To provide for the appoint
ment of commissioner to Investigate railroad
transportation.
By Mr.. Logan: To consolidate the Bureau of
Military Justice and the corps of Judge Advo-
Gates of the army.
The bill creating the new standard time for
the District of Columbia was passed.
The resolution for holiday recess went over
until tomorrow.
The Senate resumed consideration of unfin-
ished business, the rules.
Mr.. Frye.withdrew his call for the yeas and
nays Gu the first clause of the rule relating to
three days limitation on the authority OF the
Vice-president's substitute. The clause was re-
jected, leaving the rule about as heretofore; but
when the rule comes up in the Senate, when It Is
not in committee of the whole, the subject may
be renewed.
The second rule reads as follows:
1.-THE Senate may elect Secretary, Chief Clerk,
Pr1nc1pal Executive CLERK, Cnapl9lD, SergeanU-aI-
arms and assistant Door-keeper to continue in
office until their successors are chosen, eacn OF
whom shall take the oaths prescribed by law be-
fore entering on the duties of office. The Secre-
tary and shall each appoint the
employees of his department, unless otherwise
directed"
Mr.. Frye said this simply formulates into
rule what heretofore had been practice in the
Senate
Mr.. Garland thought there was no necessity
for such rule.
MT. Bayard considered the rule objectionable.
Yesterday it was seen how easily political ma
chInery works, how quickly tried and trusted
officers are dispensed with and new men put in
their places When the Senate mad a Demo-
cratic majority changes were made but no such
sweeping changes as now. Before the removals
of yesterday morning we're effected the fact
npdeniable that majority of the employees of
the Senate were Republicans. The Democrats
had removed the then Secretary of the Senate
because he had been, both in public and in pri-
vate, an aggressive, violent, denunciatory OPP
ponent Of more than half the members of the
chamber, and made his office the center of active
campaigning in which the motives and charac-
ter of the objects OF the Democratic
majority were most Enthusiastically, aspersed.
THAT change, therefore, unouestionably bene
fitted the public service. No efficient, faithful of
hcer of the Senate had been removed by his Mr..
BayardsI consent. This, perhaps, was occa-
sion for extended remarks in regard to Wiser
vice reform; but he thought that the subject was
sinking deeply into the minds of the thoughtful
people Of the country He had a strong belief
in civil-service reform, and if he did not much
mistake the temper Of the American people they
intend to have such reform. and are not going
machinery. In other words, the country is not
going to be run by political machines built
upOnsand supported by political offices 81 do
not want" he continued, ITO see the offices of
this country filed by a set of men who are Moth
ing but office brokers and wlre-pullers."
The second rule was disagreed to. Several of
the new rules were agreed to- after some amend
ments of details. On reaching the rule relating
to voting, Mr.. Bayard said he had hoped the
committee rules would endeavor, in some
way, to cover the case of senators being present
and RETAINING from voting.
Mr. Sherman eaid the practice of abstention
from voting had only been resorted to in few
times of great political excitement, and it was
hardly worth while to cover such rare instances
oy rule.
EThe rule on the subject of voting was adopted
as reported, and further debate on the subject
reserved for future consideration, when the SEN
ate was not in committee of the whole.
Clause 10 OF the rules gave rise to debate,
Messrs. Bayard, Beck, Mcpherson, Sherman In
gals and Jones, of Florida, participating. 1t
reads as follows:
EVERY resolution of inquiry addressed to the
President of the United States, or the heads OF
departments shall, if objected to- be referred to
the committee having jurisdiction of the subject.
Said committee shall report thereon within a
week thereafter, and the resolutions shall be in
order for consideration when reported"
Mr.. Sherman favored the clause. and Messrs.
Bayard and Beck strongly opposed it. 4 5ae
MIR. Mcpherson said If the majority Of the SEN
ate desired to withhold information which the
minority desired, if the majority wished to
spply the gag law, no better provision could be
provided.
The clause was rejected.
The Senate took up he House concurrent reso-
IL 80 as to make Mon day, Jan. z, the date for
assembling, agreed to the resolution and re-
turned it to the House.
After executive session, the Senate adjourned.