Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-12-27
CONGRESSIONAL.

DECEMBER, l7-SENATE.-The Senate was
called 10 order at the usual hour. The death
of Congressman Haskill Of Kansas wGs an
nounced and Senators Plumb, Cockrell and
Dawes were appointed committee TO attend
the obsequies of the deceased. In respect TO
the me mory of the deceased the Senate ad-
journed.
HoUsE-The death of hon. d. c. Haskell
formed the theme of all that was done I'm the
House. Remarks were made by different ones,
and the customary resolutions were unanimous
" adopted. Adjourned until Wednesday.
DECEMBER, 1S.-Senate-Mr. Van WICK
offered n resolution calling on the secre-
tary of the interior for copies OF mort
cages given by the Texas Pacific rail-
way on lands granted by the act OF
March 8, 1871; also TO inform the Senate OF the
names of railway corporations claiming lands
not earned during the lifetime of the grant, to-
gether with the number of acres claimed by
each road. Agreed TO. The bills providiI z
for civil government fer Alaska and regard
In the election Of the president and vice presi-
dent were reported from the committee. The
election of Senate officers was next In order
Austin Il. McCook was unanimously elected
Secretary of the Senate. The remaining Re
publican nominees were elected as follows:
Chief clerk, Charles w. johnson, Minnesota;
executive clerk, James X. Young, Pennsyl.
vania; chaplain, the Rev. Elias Dewitt Hunt
ley, District of Columbia sergeant. at arms,
tee of the whole, the adoption of the new rules
formed the principal topic Of discussion, and
more particularly the third clause of the first
rule which gives the vice president the power
of substitution Mr.. Bayard stated that he
had not been able TO discharge his mind OF the
grave objections which existed to this clause,
owing to com llications which might ensue
In case of the death of the President and
Vice President. He thought 1t placed the ques-
tioh OF presidential succession in very danger
Gus position. This is a matter in which it will
not do 10 say the weight OF argument rests on
one side or the other. 1t should be placed in a
position where there was absolutely no doubt
about IL, aud he could not see that the argu-
ments advanced by those who favored the rule
were at all satisfactorily. Jones of Florida and
Blair of New Hampshire thought it unwise and
dangerous TO clothe the president pro tim.
pore with so much power. Mr.. Maxey of Texas
opposed the provision for il was only meant TO
tit temporary necessity, while under the con-
struction now held If the time could be made
three days IL could be extended to 80 days.
Mr.. Frye OF Maine, who reported the clause
as chairman OF the committee on rules, and
said he could not see how any possibility the
rule could touch the question of presidential
succession, nor how it raised the constitution
atty OF the question. There being q Vice
President Of the United States. and the Vice
President pro TEN of the Senate being neces-
sarily presiding officer for the next two years,
the question Is whether In case of days sick
ness, or a day or two's absence, the United
State Senate can transact business without be-
ing compelled TO GUST him from the place TO
which 1t has elected hiT. Under the rule as
1t stands now IL the presiding officer is too sick
to come the Senate is Obliged, under the chair
manship of the secretary of theSenate, to elect
a new president pro tempore, and that presi
dent pro tempore will bc clothed with all the
powers which under the constitution attach to
the office. Mr.. Bayard stated that the constis
tba
Senate shall be Vice President, and II the Vice
President is absent he cannot nominate his
locum tenens. The senate must elect one and
II the Vice-President comes back next day the
senator who temporarily presided goes out of
Office ipsQ facto. On one occasion the President
was in doubt as to whether the fact that Hen
ry Wilson was in the gallery" and so Within
the walls OF the Senate did not vacate the cleo
ton OF president pro temporc made In his alb
sence the day before. Pending vote on the
rule the Senate adjourned.
DECEMBER 19-Senate Bills were intro
ducej TO provide for acceptance by the United
states of the Illinois and Michigan canal from
illinois. to provide for sinking artesian wells
on lands Of the United States In Nevada; to
provide for the appointment Of q commission
&c investigate railroad transportation; to con
soidate the bureau Of military Justice and
corps of judges advocate of the army. Mr.
Mcmillan presented resolutions OF the legisla,
ture OF Minnesota asking for the erection of
sheer Blooms ut railroad bridges across the Mis-
sissippi. A bill creating a new standard of
time In the District of Columbia was passed.
Van WICK Of Nebraska was on hsnc with two
resolutions concerning land grants both of
which were laid over. The consideration of
the new rules was resumed at this point, and
occupied the remainder Of the session. Ia ex-
ecdtive session a number OF nominations we're
confirmed, among them being ID Michigan
postmasters.
HoUsE-The certificate az Mr.. Skinner. rep
resentative elect from the first district OF North
Caroina was presented, when Mr.. Keller Of
Ohio asked that the matter be referred To the
committee on elections, contending that there
was no vacancy In the district which Mr.. Skin
ner claimed 10 represent. The matter was
pretty thoroughly discussed, and finally re-
suited In the seating OF Mr. Skinner, who at
once took the oath OF office A resolution was
offered for the creation OF committee ON al.
cohelic liquors which was agreed to; special