The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-15
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.

MIR. lAnthony Declines the Presidency Pro
Tenn, and Senator Edmunds Is Chosen.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Mr. Vest presented a
petition from the pork packers of st. Louis pray
ing for retaliatory legislation to protect them
from the exclusion of American pork in Germany
and France.
MI. Call introduced a bill to repeal all laws and
parts of laws prohibiting the granting of pensions
TO wounded and disabled soldiers of the United
States without proof of loyalty.
Mr. Cockrell offered the following, which was
agreed to:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be
directed to report to the Senate as soon as may be, the
amounts of gold coin and bullion deposited IN the
treasury, snb-treasuries and designated deposltorles or
the United States, in exchange for silver certificates
and for which silver certificates have been issued
during the calendar years Of 1875 to 1858, or Tor
more convenience, during the fiscal years OF 1879 to
1883, and during the first six months OF lsS4i also.
whether there has been any refusal TO receive such
gold coin, or bullion, or silver certificates, and II so,
the reason therefor.
Mr.. Sherman called up for action the Senate
resolution of Mr.. Edmunds of Dec. Is, that the
Senate now proceed to the election of a president
pro tempore, and he moved that Senator Henry
B. Anthony, of Rhode Island, be elected to that
office. In making the motion Mr.. Sherman said
that Senator Anthony was the senator who, OF
those now in the Senate, had longest occupied d
seat in it; that he had been five times elected by
his State to represent its people in this body,
and many times elected by common consent
president pro TEN. of the Senate, and had always
faithfully discharged the duties of that office.
Mr.. Pendleton, without dissenting from the
opinions oppressed by the Senator from Ohio,
(Mr. Shermanl as to the qualifications, fitness,
integrity. ability. and patriotism of the gentle
man naInn6 for the Offica InOVp1 TO amend bV
striking out the name of Mr.. Anthony, and in
sorting the name of Thos. F. Bayard, of Della
ware.
The amendment was not agreed to.
The question recurring on the motion of Mr..
Sherman, it was agreed to, and Senator Anthony
was declared duly elected to the Office of Presi-
dent pro TEN. of the Senate, and invited by the
chair (Mr. Edmunds) to come forward to be
sworn in. Thereupon Mr.. Anthony rose in his
place and-not without emotion of voice and
manner-said:
Il thank you, senators, for this distinguished
honor. 1t would be affectation to say it came
entirely unexpected, for l have for some time
been aware of your kind and tattering purpose.
1t would be still more affectation to deny that its
acceptance would give me pride and pleasure;
but the state of my health, which you all know
is precarious, forbids me to assume any labors
that [ can consistently and honorably
avoid. Although [ would not hesitate
to undertake any burden laid on
me by my brother senators, even at the sacrifice
VI utdllls IL l. bhOuAub L Oll BCIIcIlnAu
than another, yet | think it no Sinking of duty,
no cowardly incidence in me to decline the
position which so many senators can fill with
equal and greater advantage to the Senate and
the country.
Therefore. senator's, with my heart over
flowing with gratitude to all for your kindness
tome, | must respectfully decline the position"
The question then arose whether the declina-
ton of MI. Anthony retained Mr.. Edmunds as
president pro tempore. and without further ac-
ton and after debate, it was decided to avoid
doubt by a new election.
Mr.. Sherman offered the following:
Resolved, That George F. Edmunds, senator from
Vermont, is hereby chosen president pro tempore of
the Senate
Mr.. Bayard moved to amend by striking out
from Vermont, and inserting Geo. H. Pendle-
ton, of Ohio.
The vote on the amendment resulted, yeas,
"a. nays. %. So the amendment was not agreed
TO. MI. Malone voted with the Republicans.
Mr.. Riddloberger, being paired with Mr.. Will
Jams, did not vote.
The resolution of Mr.. Sherman was agreed to
and the oath of office administered to Mr..
EdmunGs by the presiding officer, Senator Gar
land.
The following resolution was offered by Mr..
Sherman and agreed to;
"Bes6lved, That the Secretary of the Senate inform
the President of the United States and House of Rep
resentatives that the Senate has chosen Hon. Geo. F..
Edmunds. the Senator from Vermont, president pro
tempore of the Senate"
After some further action Senator Hill spoke
on his postal telegraph bill. ""
She Senate then went into executive session
and soon adjourned.