Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-19
FORTY-BIenfn CONGRESS.
WAsHueroh, Dee. Il


In the Senate today after prayer and read
ine If the journal several bills we're reported
hack from the committees and placed on the
calendar. Among them vas one BY Mr.. Haf-
rison providing for . civil government for
Alaska, and one BY Mr.. Hoar to M day for
the meeting of electors for President and
Vice President and for the consideration o.
questions arising thefefrom. This 10 the bill
which has passed the Senate heretofore. but
failed in the House. Mr.. Hoar gave notice
that he would call up this bill ON the nfst
day in which the Senate was ready for leg
nlative business.
Mr.. Van Wvck offered . resolution which
vas agreed TO, calling on the secretary OF the
interior to furnish copies Of mortgages given
by the Texas Pacific Railroad on land granted
by the act of March 8, 1871; also to inform
the Senate of the names Of railroad corpora
tons now claiming lands not earned during
the lifetime Of the grant, together with the
number of acres claimed BY each Of said
roads.
AZ the conclusion Of the morning hour,
Mr.. Sherman asked for the immediate con-
Alteration of the resolution to proceed to the
election of Senate officers. The vote on TAX.
Ing up the resolution resulted in yeas. "a /;
nays 80. The division was upon strict party
lines, Malone and Riddleberger voting with
the tepoOllC80o. NC IcvoAotAVn '" - sA'SAA
agreed to by q viva voce vote.
Mr.. Sherman then moved that Anson d.
McCook be chosen secretary of the Senate.
It was agreed to and Gen. McCook was sworn
in.
Charles W. johnson Of Minnesota, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Sherman, was elected chief clerk
of the Senate.
James r. Young of Pennsylvania, was
elected principal executive clerk.
Mr.. Sherman then nominated Rev. Elias
Dewitt Huntley of the District of Columbia,
~ chaplain and he was elected.
After the chaplaincy, the next nomination
was that of Mr.. Canaday for Sergeant-at-
Arms.
This called Mr.. Beck to his feet, who OBJ
jected in strong terms to the course OF the re-
publicans, turning out good men.
Mr.. Canaday was elected Sergeant-at'Arms
BY vote of AZ yeas to 20 nays, and the Sen
ate went into executive session.
The Senate in executive session confirmed
the following nominations: Nathaniel r.
Banks to be U. S. marshall for the district
of Massachusetts, and Col. Samuel B. Hola-
bird to be quartermaster general with rank of
brigadier general.
When the doors reopened the Senate went
into committee of the whole upon the new
rules. discussion arose over the rules
providing for the succession of the president
pro tenn. Mr.. Bayard opposed it.
Mr.. Frye, who reported the clause, could
not see how by any possibility the rule could
touch the question Of presidential succession
or how 1t raised any constitutional question as
the rule stands at the present time. There
being no vice president of the United States,
and the president pro TEN. of the Senate be-
ing necessarily the presiding officer Of it for
the next two years, the question is whether
in the case of days sickness or of day or
two's absence, the United States Senate can
transact business without being compelled to
Dust him from the place to which it has
elected him.
Mr. Bayard stated that the constitution
provided that the presiding officer of the
Senate shall be the vice president and if on
any day the vice president be absent he can
not nominate his locum tenens.
Mr.. Frye pointed out that in the House
the Speaker had the power to appoint a sub
stitute for ten days and that it had never been
objected to. He called for . yea and nay
vote on the adoption of the clause; objected
to.
Pending the vote on the rule, Mr.. Frye
moved to adjourn; agreed to.