The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-12-10
THE SENATE OPENS

all Iuo SSnclOIo WcHc pEOmItly On
hand this forenoon, and for half an hour
before noon gathered in friendly groups
around the senate chamber, exchanging
greetings and discussing the situation.
The galleries of the senate have never
tor many years been SO crowded on the
opening day.
The walls of the senate chamber were
draped in deep black out OF respect to
the memory of the late vice-presideut.
Promptly at noon General McCook,
secretary of the senate, called the body
to order, and prayer was offered by the
chaplin, Rev. d. HuntleY, after which
Edmunds offered resolution declaring
John Sherman the president protein OF
the Senate.
Mr.. Voorhees, moved an amendment
to s.rlke out the name of John Sherman
and insert instead the name of Isham
HArrss. but the amendment was voted
down by q party vote-yeas, 90; nays,
81. Sherman was then without division
declared duly elected president pro tenn.
Sherman and Harris both abstained
from voting. Upon request of Secretary
McCook, Sherman was escorted to the
chair by Edmunds and Voorhees,, and
the oath of office was administered to
him by Edmunds,
Mr.. Sherman then said: "Sena-
tors-I return my grateful thanks
have conferred in common with all
the people of the United States In the
profound sorrow for the sudden death
of the vice president, who by the con-
| slitution Is also declared the president
of the senate The contingency has
now arrived when it becomes the i'm.
perative duty of the senate to elect
president pro tcmpore- In accepting
the position assigned me, / feel that
there are many senators on either side
of the house more able to discharge the
duties OF this position; more expert
enced in the rules and orders of the SEN
ate than myself; still, l acc9pt, with the
sIncere desire that may be
able to enforce the rules
with kindness and imDsItiality so as 10
ascertain If possible the sense of the
majority of the senate and give the min
orlty its full constitutional right and
protection. With the sincere desire of
performing this duty, l appeal to each
individual senator for his courtesy and
forbesrance". Cullom presented the ere
dentials of Lngans reelection
IS senator from Illino q
and Pike presented those of Blair as
| senator from New Hampshire. The
| credentials were read and Mr.. Blair at
once sworn by the president pro tenn
pore.
Twelve O'Clock, nom, was fixed az the
hour of the daily meeting, unless other
wise ordered.
The secretary was instructed to 10
| form the presidtn, OF the United States
| aud the house of representatives that the
| senate had chosen John Sherman as
| president pro tempore. Edmunds aud
| Harris were appointed a committee
| to join such u committee as may be sp-
/ pointed by the house of Representatives
to wait upon the president, and inform
him that quorum of each house was
| assembled and congress WIS ready to re-
ceive any communication he may be
/ pleased to make.
| While waiting inform alton OF the &C
ton of the house of representatives, the
senate took q recess. At $40 p. m.the
newly chosen president protein called
the senate to order and the clerk OF the
house of representatives brought mes
sage from that body announcing the cleo
ton of its speaker and
clerk, and the appointment of a
committee to wait on the president in
conjunction with the committee already
bees then offered the follow
ing resolution, pretacIug with
the remark that in doing so he was per.
forming the ssddest duty of his public
life:
Resolved. That the senate received
. with profound sorrow the intelligence O
the death OF Thos. A. Hendricks, lat
vice president of the Unitei States, anC
for q number of years 3 distinguished
member OF this body.
Resolved, That the business Of tn,
. senate b. suspended IN order that the EN-
{ inent public services aud Representative
{ virtues of the deceased may be appro
: priately commemorated-
e Resolved, That the secretary of ID
q senate be directed to communicate thes
f resolutions 10 the house Of represents
i tIves.
r voorhees, asked that the resolr
+ tons be permitted 20 II
on the table subject to be Gale
upon ct Q future day which the senai
should have due and timely notice. Re
70 buttons were accordingly laid on Cd
" table.
: Harrison then moved the lmuediAi
adjournment of4the senate, out of respe'
to the late vice president. Motion WI
agreed 70 and the senate at 2 .4S q,
/, iourned till tomorrow.