Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-12-18
loGhN SAYS NO.

Tho Illinois Senator Ten.
dered the Presidency of the Senatc-He
Declines with T~hanks-IIis Reasons Sot
Forth in a Short Speech.
WASHINGTON. D c. 5.-The caucus Of
the Republican Senator'S met promptly at
twelve O'Clock yesterday, Senator Sherman
In the Chair, and proceeded at once to
consider the question of the election
of a President pro temporc of the
| Senate, made necessary by the death
| of Vicc-Presidcnt Hendricks. Senator Ed
munds stated that last summer, when the
| Republicans of the nation in their ccnven-
ton nominated General Logan for Vice.
President he (Edmunds) had thought
it right toward General Logan and
toward the party that he should
retire from the Presidency of the
Senate and that General Logan
should preside in his place, and, as they all
remembered, he had communicated that
opinion and desire to the Republican Sen
ators in a formal way, but it was thought
at that time that the change be not made,
especially as General Logan did not wish it
to be made.
At the Presidential election last fall
General Logan had received, he believed
the votes of all the Republicans who had
the opportunity to vote and came
very nearly being the choice of the
people for the Office Of Vice-Presi-
dent, which would have made him
~ex-oflicio the President of the Senate. and,
under the law, charged with the duty of car
rying on the Government in case Of any disa-
bility OF the President Of the United States
until an election could be had. In this
state of things he thought it right that tho
Republican Senators should renew that ex-
preston of confidence in General Logan by
nominating him for President Of the Sell
ate, and he accordingly moved that Gen
elal Logan be SO nominated by acclama.
ton.
Several Senators spoke briefly in favor of
the nomination, and the question WAS put
AMI agreed to unanimously. The Chair
mar announced the unanimous nomination
of John A. Logan rs the Republican candi-
date for President pro tempore Of the Sen.
ate.
General Logan arose and said:
Mr.. Chairman. from the depths Of my heart
l thank the Republican Senators for the con-
ndencc they rcposc in me as expressed by the
nomination just rendered me by acclamntion
for the position of temporary presiding officer
Of the Senate. | not alone thank them but
the people of the whole country for the de.
sire they seem to feel that ! should be given
this very honorable position.
l.ns, however, sir, the nominee of the Re.
publican party for NiCe-PreSiucnt and was
voted Tor al the last election. ] WAS not elect
ed. For that nomination I tilcn thanked
the Republican party and through
the Senators present ! again return 10
the Republicans of the country my grateful
acknowledgment. If | thought that l could
better serve my constituents and my country
by accepting this position ! would unhrsitat-
ingiy do so and perform the duties to the best
Of my ability.
do not so think and am sure that l can, by
work necessary to be performed on commit
tees and Otherwise, do more that nay be use
full by remaining in my present position.
In fact, Mr.. Chairman, the position
is not to my taste, and unless / thought that l
could perform the duties in Il more s%atiStac-
tory manner than other Senators which l do
not, | can not see Il necessity 1or me
to occupy the chair in preference
to any OF my brother Senators. The Sen
ate has at all times been presided over
| have had the homer to be one OF
so again by any one that may be selected.
l am ready to assist in cicvating one who
may be selected, and now, my brother Sena-
tors, | want you to know tllat | fully apprcci.
ate your kindness and the great compliment
paid me, but YOU must allow me to say that
after carefully considering the matter, | feel
that l ought to decline this nomination, and
now most respectfully do so.
After some remarks made by several
Senators in depreciation of the %declination
Of General Logan, that gentleman said he
had arrived at the conclusion expressed by
him after full deliberation, and wished it
considered as final.