The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-14
XLVTII CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.
In the Senate this morning the chair pre-
sented report from W. W. Corcoran OF the
joint commission of the Washington monu-
ment.
Among TIE bills presented were the follow
BY Mr.. Dolph OF Oregon, to provide for
formation and admission into the union Of the
State OF Washington.
It is the same bill with unimportsnt changes
introduced swo years ago by Senator Frye, and
provides for the admission of Washington Ter
ritory and y portion of Idaho under the name
of the State OF Washington.
By Mr.. Morrill,, to provide for a commission
on the subject Of the liquor traffic. ct is q
bill which passed the Senate during the first
session OF the last Congress but which failed
in the HOUSE, 1t provides for a commission of
seven who shall hold Office not to exceed two
years, and II shall be their duty to investigate
the alcoholic liqnor traffic in its relations to the
revenue and taxation, and its general economic,
crimlnai, moral and scientific aspects in con-
nection with pauperism, crime, social vice,
public health and general welfare of the peo-
pie, and also inquire as to the practical results
OF license and prohibtory legislation for the
prevention of intemperance in the several
states Of ths Union. The commissioners to
serve without salary, and their necessary ex-
penses incidental to the investigation not to
exceed sic, 600 and be paid out of the creasury.)
The Senate then on motion of Mr.. Frye
first proposed read as follows:
lin the absence of the vice president the
Senate shall choose president pro ten PORE
2.-ln tue absence OF the vice president and pend
ing an election OF president pro tempore the secre
tary OF the senate in his absence The chief clerk
shall perform the duties of the chair.
3.-Ihe President pro tempore shall have the
ing the esnator to perform the nsies Of the chair
and the Senator so designated may discharge snch
duties for q period not exceeding three days, un-
A protractsd discussion ensued. Senator
Bayard opposed the privilege given the presi-
dent pro tempore on the ground that such de-
signated senator may In his opinion by possi-
bility become acting president of the United
States; and the power to name him should
not be placed in the uncontrolled possession of
one man as it is contrary to the theory of our
government and fraught in possibilities with
very grave dangers.
Mr.. Garland moved to amend the new rule
BY striking out the three day Limitation and in
serting instead "But such substitution not to
extent beyond adjournment" which is the
present provision in force
Mr.. Edmunds spoke in favor of Mr.. Fryes
rule, offered resolution that the Senate pro-
cesd to the elected of president pro tenn, and
asked that the resolution lie on the table.
The yeas and nays being called on the
amendment resulted yeas "a nays 20, all the
Democrats voting for and the Republicans
against the amendment, which was lost.
Mr.. Sherman said he was aveIse to drawing
party lines on question Of this character and
hoped the Senators would, as he should, give
serious consideration to the objections made
to the clause la order to avoid an appearance
OF partisan action on matter of this charac-
tor.
Without coming to vote on the main pro-
position the Senate went into executive ses-
sion after agreeing that when it adjourned TO-
day it shall be to Monday next.
The Senate adjourned at 4 p. m.