The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-03-08


into operation October LIST, 1883.
Edmund. President Of tho Senate.
Ga Saturday s ,nator David Davis re-
signed his position rs President Of the
Senate, nis term ar Senator expiring with
the present session. This action on his
part was taken TO avoid the necessity OF
calling a special session OF the senate "a
elect President in order TO provide for
the contingency OF the death or disahil ty
Of President Arthur Were there no Pres.
ident Of the Senate or Speaker Of the
House there would be no one provided by
law TO take bis place, Senator Davis on
resigning bis position spoke as follows:
Gratitude fails TO express The feeling
which moves me IN responding to the gen.
erous expressions III the resolutions you
have adopted as presiing officer OF this
honored body. have received courte-
Gus cooperation from both sides and con-
slant kindness in the discharge OF official
duties aid in my personal interests. !
ought to be, and believe am, fully sen.
sible of the obligations imposed by these
acts. the more so az entered on the du-
ties OF the chair almost stranger 10 the
practices of lepislaturr Six years have
passed away since the Legislature OF Hi.
nois conferred upon me the trust which is
about TO expire by constitutional limita
ton. neither sought nor expected the
election, which was brought about by a
union Of different elements. My political
convictions have separated me from the
two great parties and subjected my action
here as elsewhere TO the criticisms of the
Organs OF both organizations. A public
man who steps outside tho regular party
lines is exposed to misrepresentation Of
his motives au,l 10 the charge Of weakness
in his conduct He gains little credit for
moral courage or self assertion, and none
for casting aside ambition in the defense
OF his principles In legislating | have
striyen TO consider measures solely with
reference to the public good aud without
the least regard for their political paterni-
ty; above and beyond all other objects my
great object has been to extingulsh the
strife Of the sections, aud thank God that
the happy day has at last come when
North and "South" are only geographic
cal expressions: that 80, 600, 900 are free
happy, prosperous people, who rejoice in
a fehttd country, strengthened by the
sternest human trials. shall carry away
with Inc and cherish AZ solace in private
lie the cordial friendships formed here.
Ii will be a constant pleasure to reflect
upon tbs fact that no jar jistui bed the ad-
OF tue high Office now re-
sign, bidding al sflectionate farewell to
every member OF the Senate and every of
ficer connected with it,
This speech was heartily applauded by
Ihe senators and large numbers OF specta.
tors present Senators Allison and Sher-
man having Withdrawn from the contest
The name OF Geo. Z. Edmunds was pre-
,ented by the Republican side for csndi
late for President Senator Pendleton
moved to substitute the name OF Sc pator
Bayard. which motion was lost, and Ed.
nunds was elected without division. On
.aking the chair he briefly thanked the
senate and proceeded with the business OF
he session.
The papers Of both parties speak very
highly Of Edmunds in this connection.
We have room for only few quotations.
The Boston Herald says: The Vermont
senator is the ablesi aud best balanced
asn in the Senate -pre-eminently safe and
evel-headed. He is fully equal to the &C
nsl and possible responsibilities Of the
position Of acting vice President"
The Springfield Republican, says: III
anything should happen 10 Presidcn, Ar.
bur The conntry il sure Of An able. honest !
nd fearless acting President until a new
resident is chosen. The people would
ike a chance to vote for ham for the high
at Office, Why shouldn', they have their
l~n way IN the maitcrf'
The Boston Adrertlsey says: mo more
Aiiac,ory selection could have been
a alc
The Boston Trure'er says; Hon. Geo.
;. Edmunds. who Ii 10 be- the President
I the Senate il held IN high esteem by
he people Of this country as an shle. hon
q, fearless statesman. He is q sislusrt,
wsrn personal friend Of President Ar
hnr and enjoys the esteem and confidence
( bis associates 81 both parties. lie 10
amiIiar With the duties Of the position TO
fhich be has been esliel and sell quail
~ for the higher responsibilities 10
.hich. as ha stands i'ui one step from the
residential ofiee. be msy possibly 10
ILL