The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-19
xLvIIITH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. December rs, 1883.
SENATE.

In the Senate, after prayer and the read
Ing Of the Journal, several bills were re-
ported back from committees and placed
on the calendar. Among them one by Mr..
Harrison, from the Committee on Terrific
ries, providing civil government for Alas
ka, and one by Mr.. Hoar, from the Com
mttee on Privileges and elections, to fix a
day Tor the meeting OF the electors for
President and president, and for the
consideration Of questions arising thereon.
THIS Is the bill which has passed the Sem
ate heretofore, but failed i'm the House. Its
provisions have been already stated in
these dispatches.
MI. lIoar gave notice that he would call
up this bill on the first day on which the
Senate should be ready for legislative bu-
sincss.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered q resolution call
ing on the Secretary OF the Interior TO fur
nish copies OF mortgages given by the
Texas Pacific Railway, or lands granted
by the act Of March 3, 1871; also, TO in
form the Senate OF the names Of railroad
corporations now claiming lands that were
not earned during the lifetime Of the grant.
together with the number OF acres claimed
10y each Of said roads. The resolution was
agreed TO.
AT the conclusion Of the morning hour
Mr.. sherman called up and asked for the
immediate consideration of his resolution
Offered Yesterday that the Senate do now
proceed to the election Of oncers-namely:
Secretary OF the Senate, Chief Clerk, Princi-
pal Executive Clerk, Chaplain, and Ser
gesnt-at-Arms.
The vote on taking up the resolution was
taken by yeas and nays, resulting: Yeas,
81 nays. 80. The division was upon
strict party lines, Senators Malone and
Iiddleberger voting with the Republicans.
So it WAS agreed TO take the resolution into
immediate consideration. The resolution
was then agreed 10 10y Uird-uOce vote.
General McCook was elected Secretary.
and at Odce sworn in. The remainder OF
the Republican caucus nominees were then
elected, the Democrats voting for the pres
eDt incumbcntS rs a dissent from the de-
parture from the cIyil-scrvice principles
and rs a vote OF confidence IN the old oili-
GERS.
On the nomination OF William i. Cana
day for Scrgeant-dt-A Arms. which was
made by Mr.. sherman, Mr.. Pcndleton said
the present incumbent (aludng to Colonel
Bright is the nominee OF the minority OF
the Senate for this position. but he would
not move an amendment TO the resolution
offered, rs it would only delay the pro-
cecdings OF the Senate, and would be OF no
use.
1Ir. Beck called on the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Sherman). who offered the reso-
luton, to state what special fitness the new
nominee had for the Office to which he was
nominated.
Mr.. sherman replied that he was doing
Just what the gentleman from Kentucky
(llr. Beck would under similar circum-
stances do with a straight face and with
out apology. and Mr.. Sherman had no
apology 10 offer. He said th9t the gentle
man whom he nominated was well known
TO senators on both sides OF the chamber.
He was a man OF standing, Of character,
and well fitted TO perform the duties of the
office. He (Nlr. Sherman) did not have 4
word to say, and did not say word,
against the gentleman now in Office.
Mr.. Beck said he knew that whenever it
suited the convenience OF gentlemen on
the other side of the chamber they held the
civil-,eryice idea TO be mere humbug.
They are now seeking To remove an officer
whom they know TO be the very best officer
who has ever been in Office. Mr.. Beck
read from the Congressional Record some
remarks OF Mr.. Anthony made in the SEN
ate in 1879, in which he expressed himself
IN favor OF retaining i'm their offices men
who had faithfully performed their duties.
Yet, now, every senator on that side OF the
chamber was voting to put out man who
had done the work of his Office 10 the high
est satisfaction OF every member. They had
always been very loud in their clamor
when the Democratic party put 4 man ont,
and the moment they get the power the
civll-servicc rules are set wholly at naugLt.
The election Of Canaday was effected by
vote of 81 to %.
The Senate then went into executive
session, and when the doors were REOPEN
ed went into Committee Of the Whole for
the purpose OF continuing the considers
ton OF the new rules. The question pend
ing was the adoption OF the first OF the
new rules relating TO the election of Prcsl-
dent pro tempOre, and his right in the case
OF his absence TO name substitute who
might perform the duties Of the Chair fer
three DAYS.
On motion of Mr. Garland division Of
| the rule was agreed TO, so as 10 permit the
first two clauses, which were not objected
TO-. to be voted upon by themselves. ON
the question Of agreeing to the third clause,
which gives the Vice-president power OF
! substitution, some debate arose.
Mr.. Frye pointed ont that in the House
OF Representatives the Speaker has the
power to appoint substitute for period
OF ten days, and that it has never been OBJ
/ jected to. He called for yea and nay
vote on the adoption OF the clause objected
4 TO.
Pending a vote on the rule Mr.. Frye
moved an adjournment Of the Senate,
which was agreed TO.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House was rot in session to-day.