Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-20
SENATE.

into the rule what had heretofore been the
practice of the Senate, these officers having
heretofore been elected without any formal
rule.
Mr.. Bayard thought the rule was open to
objection and said that he had yesterday seen
how easily political machinery works and
how quickly tried and trusted officers could
be dispensed with and new ones put in their
places. When the Senate had a democratic
majority he (Bayard) he differed with his
political friends as TO some of the removals
made, but Notwithstanding the changes were
made. There were no such changes as now
have been made. The democrats had re-
moved then the secretary of the Senate be-
cause he had made the Office q centre Of
active campaigning, in which the motives,
character and objects of the democratic ma
jority we're most unjustifably aspired. That
change, therefore, was unquestionably for
the benefit of the public. No efficient or
faithful officer had been removed with his
(Bayards) consent. Mr.. Bayard thought
the subject of civil service reform was sink
ing deeply into the minds of the thoughtful
people of the country. He had strong belief
in civil service reform and he did not much
mistake the temper of the American people
who intend to have such reform and are not
going to be content with men to be elected
TO OIuce Dy VtuAl u6CuluCEy. wv INV ouhS
he continued, to see the Offices of the country
filled with set of men who are nothing but
office brokers and wire pullers.
The second rule was disagreed to and sew
new rules were then agreed to.
Gu reaching the rules relating to voting,
Mr.. Bayard said he had hoped the committee
would endeavOr to cover the case of senators
being present in their places retaining from
voting.
Mr.. Frye did not believe that any rule
could be devised to make man speak when
he chose to be silent.
The rule was adopted as reported. further
debate being reserved till future codsidera-
ton of the subject.
The following clause of the 10Th rule gave
rise to considerable debate.
Every resolution of inquiry addressed to
the President of the United States or heads
of departments shall, if objected to, be re-
ferred to the committee having jurisdiction
on the subject. In the matter of such reso-
luton said committee shall report thereon
within a week and said resolution shall be in
order of consideration when reported.
Mr.. Sherman favored the clause; Messrs.
Bayard and Beck opposed it.
Mr.. Mcpherson said if the majority of the
Senate desired to withhold information which
the minority desired, no better provision
could be provided. .
The clause was rejected
The Senate after an executive session took
up the House resolution relating to the h0l-
iday recess.
On motion of Mr.. Allison the date for re-
assembling of the two houses was made
Monday Jan It'll instead of the Sd, and the
action was ordered to be communicated to
the House. Adjourned.
Mr.. Scales of North Carolina presented
the certificate of the election of Thomas G.
Skinner as representative elect from the
first district of North Carolina.
After reading the certificate, Mr.. Keifer
of Ohio offered resolution reciting that at
the November election w. r. Poole was
elected representative from the first district
of North Carolina, that he died on August
25th, 1888, that since the election of Poole
the legislature re-districted the State and
cheated a new first district, that the governor
of North Carolina ordered an election by vir-
tue of which Mr.. Skinner claims his seat,
that to admit him would leave one county
without a representative while another county
would have two representatives, and referr-
ing Mr.. SINNERS credentials to the committee
port all the facts pertaining to the vacancy
and the election to fill the same. Mr.. Keifer
commended that the resolution presented q
question which should be inquired into by a
committee on elections. He asserted that the
paper read could not be called a certificate at
all within the meaning of the rules which
have prevailed in the House. The fact that
the paper bore the date Of the 18th of Dec
1888, suggested that it had caused a good
deal of trouble, time and mental anxiety to
get at paper which would not show what
| the facts required should be shown. As
matter of fact there has not been any va
cancy in the district which Mr.. Skinner
claimed to represent. He quoted from pre-
cedents to show that in cases of vacancy
when in the interim between the first and
second elections, the State had been re dis
tricted, the second election was held in the
old district, and not as in the pending case
in the new.
After an animated debate Mr.. Hiscock of
New York offered as substitute for Mr..
Refers resolution, a resolution for
the Immediate swearing in of Mr..
Skinner and reference of the
case to the committee on elections with in
structions to report at the earliest practica.
BILE moment whether Mr.. Skinner was elected
from the first district of North Carolina as
created before the last congressional appor-
tionment or in the district of North Carolina
which created that seat since the election of
Poole, and whether Mr.. Skinner was elected
from the proper district Mr. Hi.cock
claimed it was = dangerous question, the
prima facia right of man to a seat on the
floor.
After debate Mr.. Keifer withdrew his reso.
luton for Mr.. Hiscock, wherupon Mr.. Skin
ner appeared at the bar of the House and was
qualified.
Mr.. Keifsr then renewed his resolution.
TIE preamble having been elimated and
Mr. Hiscock again offered the resolution "a
substitute. Mr.. Hiscock warned the re.
publicans that if Keifer's resolution vas
adopted the result would be that no report
would be made before the end of the session.
whereas the committee on elections could In
q short time report on the question involved
in the substitute.
Mr.. Hiscock's substitute was agreed to,
liz to los.
The bulk Of the democratic member, voted
in the negative.
The original motion as amended va,
agreed tn.
Mr.. Morrison offered . concurrent resolu.
ton for the holiday recess from Dec. oath
until Thu-sflnv the Ard cf Jsrr..- N.