Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-19

SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Dec. le.-The following
hills we're reported from the COMMITTEES
aud placed on the calendar
By Harfisou-Providing Q civil gov
eminent for Alaska.
By Hoar-In regard to the election Of
President and Vice President.
Van Wyck offered a resolution calling
on the Secretary of the Interior fol
copies of the mortgages given by the
Texas Pacific Railroad on lands grant
ed by the act ct March 3rd, 1881: also
to inform the Senate "a TO the names OF
railroad corporations claiming land NOS
earned during the lifetime of the grant,
together With the number Of acres
claimed by each road.
At the conclusion of the morning ses-
sion the Senate proceeded to the else
tion of officers.
The division as to the choice for
secretary vas on strict party lines, Ma
hone and Riddelberger voting with the
Republicans. General Arson G. Nc
Cook vas chosen over l.. z. Washing
ton.
The remaining Republican nominees
When the doors we're opered the SEN
for the purpose OF considering the new
rules.
Cameron of Wisconsin thought that
as several Senators were absent the con-
sideration of the new rules had better
be postponed. and moved an adjourn
ment, which was lost by vote Of % to
q.
The question pending vas the adop-
ton of the first of the new rules relating
To the election of President pro tempore.
aud his right in case of absence to name
substitute, who shall perform the du-
ties of the chair for three days.
On motion of Garland division of
the rule was agreed to, 80 az to permit
the first two clauses which were not OBJ
jected to to be voted upon separately.
On the question of agreeing to the
third clause, which gives the Vice
President power of substitution, de-
bate arose. Bayard stated that he had
not been able to discharge his mind of
the grave objections which existed to
this clause, owing to the complications
which might ensue in case of the death
of the President and Vice-P President.
He thought it placed the question of
the Presidential succession in Q very
dangerous position. This is a matter
in which it will not do to say the
weight of argument rests on one side or
the other. II should be placed in suoh
a position that there can be absolutely
no doubt about it, and he could not see
that the arguments advanced by those
who favored it we're at all satisfactory.
Jones, of Florida, and Blair thought
l. dangerous to clothe the President
PR tenn. with lch power.
MAxey remarked that this proposed
clause was change in rule which had
been enforced for sixty years, and was
departure from the theory
on which the rule depended. for it was
only meant to iit temporary necessity,
while under the construction nov held
If tho t:rso could be made three days il
could be extended 20 200. He opposed
the provision.
Frye, who reported the clause az
Chairman of the committee, said He
could not see how, by any possibility,
the rule could touch the question of the
Presidential succession, nor how it
raised a constitutional question, there
being no Woe President of the United
States, and the President pro tenn. being
the presiding officer for the
next two years. IL il question whether
during days sickness or absence the
United States Senate can transact bust
ness without being compelled to Gust
hi n from the place to which it has
elected him as the rules stand now. II
the presiding officer be too sick to per-
form his duties, tho Senate, under the
Craftsmanship of the Secretary, would
elect new President pro tenn, and that
President pro ten. would be clothed
with all the powers which, under the
attach to the Office.
Bayard stated that the Constitution
provides that the presiding officer of the
Senate shall be Vice President, and if
the Woo President be absent and cannot
nominate his secssSs feHes, the Senate
must elect one, and If the -Presi-
dent comes back the next day, the Sena-
tor Who temporarily presides goes out
Of office pro fdctO. On one occasion the
President was in doubt whether in fact
Henry Wilson was in the gallery, and 80
within the walls, and did not vacate as
President pro tenn which he had been
made in his absence the day before.
Frye pointed out that in the House of
Representatives the Speaker has power
to appoint substitute for a period of
ten days, and it has never been objected
to. He called for yea and nay vote
on the adoption of the clause, which
was objected to.
Ingalls, offered the customary resolu-
ton, which was agreed to, that the
President and the House of Representa-
tives be notified of the election of the
new Secretary of the Senate.
Pending the vote on the rule the SEN
ate adjourned.