The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-19
Congressiona
SENATE.

(Canoda) had for the Office.
Sherman replied that he was doing
Just what the gentleman from Ken
lucky (Beck) would under the cir
cumstances do with a straight face
without apology, and he (Sherman)
had no apology to offer. Canoda is
a man standing high, of character,
and we'll fitted for the office.
session. When the doors were re.
opened, it went into Committee of
the Whole for the purpose of contin-
uing the consideration of the new
rules.
Cameron of Wisconsin thought as
several Senators were absent the con-
sideratiOn Of the new rules had bet
ter be postponed, and moved an adj
journnlent. LOSE to q.
The question was on the adoption
of the first of the new rules, relating
to the election of President pro tenn
pore and his right, in the case of his
absence, to name the substitute, who
could perform the duties of the chair
for three days.
On motion of Garland a division
of the rule wss agreed to. so as to
permit the first two clauses, which
we're not objected to. to be voted
upon separately.
On the question Of agreeing to the
third clause, which gives the
Vice-President power Of substi-
tuition, a debate arose. Bayard
stated he had been unable to discharge
his mind of the grave objections
which existed in this clause owing to
the complications which might en-
sue in case of the death of the Presi-
dent. He thought il placed the ques-
ton of Presidential succe sion in q
very dangerous position. This is a
matter in which it will not do to say
the weight of argument rests on
side or the other. It should be placed
in such a position that there is abso.
lutely no doubt about it and he could
not see that the arguments advanced
by those who favored it were at all
satisfactory.
Jones, of Florida, and Blair thought
it dangerous to clothe the president
pro tenlpore with such power.
Maxev remarked this proposed
clause was a change in a rule that had
been in force sixty years and practi-
cally a departure from the theory up
on which the rule depended for it
was only meant to fit a temporary
necessity. while under the cOnstruc-
ton now held, if the time could he
made three days it conld be extended
to thirty days. He opposed the pro.
visions.
Frye, who reported the clause
as chairman OF the committee on
rules, said he could not
see how by any possibility the rule
could touch the question of Presi-
Dental succession, nor how it raised
a constitutional question. There be-
ing no Vice-President of the United
States, and a Vice-President pro
tempore of the Senate being a neces-
sity as presiding officer for the next
two years, the question is whether
in case of a days sickness, or a day
or two of absence, the United States
Senate can transact business without
being compelled to GUST him from
the place to which it has elected him.
Under the rule as it stands now, if
the presiding officer is too sick to
come to the Senate it is obliged I'M
der the craftsmanship of the Secre-
tary of the Senate to elect a new
President pro tcmpore, and that the
President pro tenlp0re be clothed
with all the powers, which under the
Constitution attaches to the Office.
Bayard stated the constitution pro-
yides the presiding officer of the Sen
ate shall be the Vice President, and
if the Vice President is absent he
cannot nominate his locum TENNIS.
The Senate must elect one, and if the
Vice President comes back the next
day the Senator who temporarily
presided goes out of office, ipse tactO.
On one occasion the President. was
in doubt whether the fact that Hen
ry Wilson was in the gallery, and so
within the walls, did not vacate
the President pro ~tenlp0re and made
his absence the day before.
Frye pointed out that in the House
the Speaker has power to appoint a
for the period of ten days,
and it neve. has been objected to. He
for a yea and nay vote on the
adoption of the clause.
Objected to.
Ingalls, offered the customary reso-
which was agreed to-, that the
President and House of Representa-
be notified of the election of a
new Secretary of the Senate.
Pending the vote on the rule the
adjourned.