Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-05
GRANT FIXED FOR LIFE.
RANDALL RUSHES THROUGH
THE RETIREMENT BILL.

\ Spirited Scene In the House During
the Struggle for Supremacy--Wilaon
Defeated in His Contest During the
EXeitement-Arthur's Quick NOmfna-
tiOn and the Senate's Seal of Approval.
WASHINGTON, March AIN the House this
morning Mr.. Randall asked unanimous con-
sent TO take from the Speakers table and pass
the Grant retirement bill. The proposition
was greeted with applause.
Mr.. Bennett, Of North Carolina, and Mr..
Weller, of Iowa, objected.
Mr. Randall then moved to suspend the
rules and place the bill on its passage. bu
the Speaker ruled that the motion was not in
order, pending the decision of the election
case.
Mr.. Randall then endeavored to secure his
point by moving to suspend the rules, and
lay the election case on the table, but the
Speaker decided that this, was equally out OF
order.
The confusion and excitement IN the cham
ber was intense. Dozens OF members were on
their feet demanding recognition, but above
the babble of voices rang out Mr.. RandalI5s
voice appealing TO Mr.. Bennett, of North Car
olina. to withdraw the election cases.
Finally, when he could be heard, Mr.. Ben
nett said that if the House would consent to
vote ON the Frederick Wilson election case all
objection to Mr.. Randalfs motion would be
Withdrawn. This declaration was greeted by
a storm of consents from the Republican
side, and the confusion was so great that it
required five minutes diligent work by the
sergeant at Arms, with his mace in hand,
before comparative order was restored.
PLAYING MARTYR.
Then Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, contestee in the
election case, rose. and, amid a storm of
cheers on the Republican side, said that If the
House would put Gen. GRAFT on the retired
list he was willing to be sacrificed.
MIR. Miller, of Pennsylvania, who has been
leading the hlibusterlng against the election
case said that If the House would permit
vote on Mr.. Randalls motion the opposition
to the election case would be withdrawn. This
was greeted by shouts OF objection from the
Democratic side, aud Mr.. Randall, rushing
down to the sDa e in front of the Clerks desk,
cried out: "DOn't let anything stand in the
way. Agree to anything "
"Then," said Mr.. Miller, sin order that
there may be no excuse, Withdraw and per-
nit vote on the proposition of the gentle
man from North Carolina, and l ask the
House to treat us fairly on both votes"
After another scene of confusion Mr.. Bennett
demanded the previous question on the reso-
luton of the Committee on Elections declar-
ing Mr.. Frederick entitled TO the seat.
The resolution was adopted without any OPP
position from the Republican side.
RANDALL AGAIN TO THE FRONT.
Instantly upon Mr.. Frederick taking the
oath of office Mr. Randall was on his feet with
his molten to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill for the retirement of gen. Grant
Mr.. Mcmillan, Of Tennessee, demanded q
second, while shouts OF SHAME" ''oh, don't
go back on your wOrd," and "thaps fair"
went up. Nearly every member was on his
feet adding to the tumult, and prominent
among them wers Messrs. Cassidy, OF Nevada,
and robertson. of New York, gesticulatIng
wildly and demanding faIr play.
Again did the services of the Sergeant at
Arms and his mace become necessary TO seat
the members, and then second having been
considered as ordered, MessFs. Mcmillan,
Stockslagcr, and MatsOn of Indiana. briefly
opposed the bill as inaugurating system of
civil pensioners.
Mr. Randall, who under the rules was en-
titled to Is minutes debate, waived the right,
and the yeas ana nays were Immediately
taken on the motion TO suspend the rules and
pass the bill.
As the name of Mr.. Frederick, the newly
seated member. was called and as he rose and
voted in the Affirmative, the friends OF the bill
treated him to a round of applause.
The motion to suspend and pass was agreed
to by 1873 yeas to 78 nays.
The announcement of the result was hailed
with three cheers, and with long continued
applause.
Mr.. skinner, of New York. asked unani-
nous consent that the Speaker be authorized
to send a telegraphic dispatch to Gen. Grant,
announcing to him the result of the vote.
At first objection was made by Mr. Cobb,
but 1t was subst quently Withdrawn, and the
Speaker was authorized as stated.
Mr.. Randall was warmly congratulated on
his success by number of members of both
sides of the House.
THE SENATE'S ACTION.
In the Senate, at IL 80 o'clock, a message
from the House, announced the passage of the
bill authorizing the President to place one
person on the retired list OF the army. APP
plause.)
The bill was read at length.
Mr. Ingalls, then said: ''Mr. President
The nation knows who that one person is. l
ask unanimous consent that reference of this
bill to committee be waived, and that iG now
be considered by the Senate"
The presiding officer (Alr. Garland) stated
that the b.l was a Senate bill, and nothing
further wss necessary 10 make it a law eX-
cept the proper signature. [Applausel.
Mr.. Edmunds, resuming the chair, stated
that he had received a communication, which
would now be read He handed the commu-
nlcatiOn to Chief Clerk johnson, who read as
follows;
To Hon GeOr0e r. EdmNnds, President pro
TEN. Of the United States Senate:
The accompanying communication, al
though an Executive message, may be read
in open session. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
TApplausel.
President pro tempore of the Senate-Mani-
festatiOns of applause are not in order.
THE NOMINATION.
The Clerk read as follows:
ITO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
| nominate U. S. Grant, formerly General
commanding the armies of the United States,
to be General on the retired list of the army
with the full pay of such rank;
"ESecutiUe Mansion, March /, 1885,"
The President pro tenn. of the Senate then
announced that the nomination would be con-
sldered in open session. 1.-The question is,
will the Senate advise and consent to this ap-
pOintment? Ali Senators in favor will say
aye" A storm of ayes followed.
"All opposed no." A dead silence en-
sued.
''The ayes have it unanimously"
This announcement was received with
thunder7 OF applause both on the floor and in
the galleries.