The Portland daily press., 1885-12-05
THE SENATE PRESIDENCY.
Gen. Logan Declines the Appoint
ment Unanimously rendered Him.
The Caucus Adjourns, Without TAX
ing Action, Till Today.

WASHINGTON, Dec 4.-The caucus OF RepuBli-
can senators met at noon, Senator Sherman in the
chair and proceeded at once to consider the ques-
tion of the election of President pro TEN of the
Senate.
Mr.. Edmunds stated that last summer when the
Republicans of the nation in this convention nom
mated Gen. Logan for Vice President he (Alr.
Edmunds) had thought it right toward Gen.
Logan and toward the party that he should re-
tire from the presidency of the Senate and that
Gen. Logan should be chosen in his place; and as
they all remembered he had communica ted that
opinion and desire to the Republican senators in a
formal way but it was thought at the time that no
change be made especially as Gen. Logan did not
wish it to be made. At the presidential election
last fall Gen. Logan had received he believed, the
votes of all the Republicans who had an opportun
ity to vote and came very near being the choice
of the people for the Office of Vice President
which would have made him ex-oficio president OF
the Senate and under the law charged with the
duty of carrying ON the government in case of any
disability of the President of the United States un-
til an election could be had. In this state of
things he thought it right that the Republican
senators should renew that expression of conf
dence in Gen. Logan by nominating him for
President of the Senate, and he accordingly moved
that Gen. Logan be so nominated by aeclama-
tion.
Several senators spoke briefly in favor of the
nomination and the question was put and agreed
to unanimously and the chairman announced the
unanimous nomination of John A. Logan as the
Republican candidate for President pro TEN of the
Senate.
Gen. Logan arose and said:
Mr.. Cbdi17oa7a--From the depths of my heart
thank the Republican senators for the confidence
they repose in me as expressed by the nomination
just rendered me by acclamation for the position
of temporary presiding office er OF the Senate. L
not alone thank them, but the people of the whole
country for the desire they seem to feel that
should be giverthis very honorable position. 1
was, however, sir, the nominee of the Republican
party for Vice President and was voted for at the
last election. was not elected. For that nom-
nation then thanked the Republican party
and through the senators present | again return
to the Republicans of the country my grateful ac-
acknowledgements. II thought that could better
serve my constituents and my country by accept
ing this position would most unhestatingly DO
so and perform the duties to the best of my abil-
ty. / do not so think and am sure that can,
by work, necessary to be performed on commit
tees and otherwise do more that may be useful by
remaining in my present position. In fact, MI.
Chairman, the position is not to my taste, and un
less | thought could perform the duties in more
satisfactory manner than other senators, which
do not, | cannot see necessity for me to occu-
py the chair in preference to any of my brother
senators. The Senate has at all times been pre-
sided over in most satisfactory manner since
have had the honor to be one of its members and
doubtless will be so again by anyone that may be
selected | am ready to assist in elevating anyone
who may be selected and now,my dear senators, L
want you to know that / fully appreciate your
kindness and the great compliment paid me, but
you must allow me to say that after carefully con-
sidering the matter I feel that ought to decline
this nomination and now most respectfully do so
After some remarks made by several senators in
depreciation of the declination of Gen. Logan, he
said that he had arrived at the conclusion ex-
pressed by him after full deliberation and wished
it considered as final
On motion the injunction of secrecy was re-
moved from the proceedings and the caucus ad-
journed until II O'Clock tomorrow
Senator Allison who has been named as the pos
sibe President pro TEN Of the Senate, author
ICES the statement that he is not a candidate for
the place and should decline it if rendered him.