Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-18
FORTY-NISTH CONGRESS.
First Session.
Sen NATE.

First Session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Dec. IL.
John h. Mitchell, the newly elected Sepa-
tor from Oregon, was sworn 10.
Mr. Hoar, from the committee on priyi-
reyes and elections, reported favorablv q bill
10 nx day for the meeting of electors for
president and vice-president, and to provide
ior ana regulate the counting of votes for
president and vice-president. MIR. Hoar will
call up the bill for action Immediately after
the disposal of the presidential succession
bill, and the bill fixing the salary of United
States district judges.
The chair laid before the Senate the reso-
luton of Mr.. Butler, calling for committee
to inquire as the alleged organization of the
territory OF Dakota into State, and the al
legged election of United States Senators.
Mr.. Harrison did no: think . committee
necessary for that purpose. The efforts of
dakota, he said, were perfectly respectful to
the United States. Its new constitution
FULLY recognized the authority of the United
States, and stayed the hand of the new State
organization until the new constitution should
be approved by Congress. For six years the
people Of Dakota have been trying to secure
action by Congress. looking to their admit
tance. The Senate had passed bill for their
relief, but the bill had not passed the House.
Mr.. Butler inquired by what authority the
United States Senators had been elected in
Dakota.
ddr. Harrison replied that he could show
that senators had heretofore been elected nm
der precisely similar circumstances. Dakota
had right to 90 a. far, at least. AZ Tennes.
ano ral.
After further debate the matter went over
until tomorrow, and the presidential sneces-
sion bill was taken up and Mr.. Evarts ad.
dressed the Senate on it. In his speech on
the presidential succession bill. Mr.. Evarts
took the ground that the succession provided
for by the bill now before the Senate was the
only possible constitutional exercise of the
very limited power accorded by the constitn
ton to Congress.
After few words from Mr. Edmnnds in
reply to MIR. Evarts and differing from him
as to "the very limited power" of Congress.
Mr.. Edmunds' amendment was voted down:
yeas 2l, nays 81. Mr.. Edmunds' Amendment
was the one striking out the clause.
The bill was then passed. without division.
as reported from the committee.
The chair then laid before the Sonata a hill
fixing the salary of United States district
Judges, but at 3.l2 o'clock. without action on
that bill, went into executive session and
later adjourned
,,
HooSI'
Mr.. Dibble, South Carolina, asked leave to
introduce joint resolution, proposing a con-
stitutional amendment.
1t provides that in case of the removal
from office by death, resignation or constitu-
tiop inc hoth Of <ba
president of the United States, the office of
president shall devolve upon the second vice.
president, who shall be voted for on distinct
ballots, at the same time and in like manner
and for the same time as the president and
vice e-president, bv electors appointed by the
several states The second yice-president
shall preside over the Senate in the absence
of the vice-president, or in case the office of
president shall devolve upon the vice-presi-
dent.
Mr. Randall of Pennsylvania. said that he
had like measure which he would like to
have 20 with the proposition of the gentleman
from South Carolina.
Mr.. Tucker of Virginia, saw no reason whv
the measures should have auy precedence as
he objected to their introduction.
The eubiect of rules then came no for dis
cussion, Mr.. Morrison of Illinois stating that
he would tfv to close the general debate at
four O'Clock, today.
Mr.. Long of Massachusetts,, agreed with
the gentleman who demanded the largest par
l,ameptary freedom for the representatives
of tie people here, but he had been taught
that liberty was of no value except as reguiat-
ed by law, and that parliamentary rights were
of no value except as regulated by parlia-
mentary rules. The simple question before
the House was whether having agreed that
reform measures we're necessary to cure the
evils under which it was suffering, it should
20 further and take from the appropriation
committee the bills heretofore in its charge
and distribute them among eight or nine
other committees. The result would be frlc-
ton. n DELAY and possibly combinations.
He Welded to no member in criticism of the
abuses under which the House had been suf-
ferinp, but he thought they would be reme-
died by so amending the rules that every
committee of the House should have free and
equal opportunity to present business to the
House. and have the opinion of the majority
of the House, as to whether their propositions
should become law or not. The gentleman
from New York (Hiscock) Yesterday told the
House that he had not used the power which
existed in him as chairman of the committee
on appropriations. There is no fairer or
more honest man on the floor of the House.
II he would nae that mower other chairmen