Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-10
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
A Lively Debate Over the Seating of
Senator Blair.

WASHINGTON, March 9.-After the
reading of the journal to-day the Chair
laid before the Senate a communication
from the Secretary of State, being notice
that he Bay ard had forwarded to the
Legislature of Delaware his resignation
of his positi on as Senator, and also COM
munications from the Secretary of the
Interior, and Attorney General, notify
ing the Senate of their acceptance of Cab
met positions, and requesting the Presi-
dent OF the Senate to so notify the Legis-
latures of their respective States.
The credentials of Mr.. Blair as Senator
to hli the temporary vacancy were laid
before the Senate and read.
Mr.. Vest moved that they be referred to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Mr.. Edmunds objected. as also did Mr..
Hoar. The latter called attention to the fact
that precisely the same condition Of things
prevailed IN the case of Senator Bell, of New
Hampshire. when the Senate decided, after a
Iull discussion, in favor Of seating that
Mr.. Edmunds SAID that Mr.. Bells case was
exactly similar to the present, and that it had
been settled fairly and fully aud without
party division.
THE QUESTION AT STAKE.
Mr.. Salisbury saii he was aware that the
same question arose upon similar case from
New Hampshire, but the Senators who were
then present would remember that the right
OF OF ar. Ben was very strongly conte ted, and on
that occasion, for the first time, he believed, in
the history OF the senate, it was decided that
the Governor of State might appoint a Sena-
tor under such circumstances.
Mr.. Dawes suggested that the proper and
usual course was to receive the credentials
and scat the Senator, and then, if there were
questions to be settled, they might 20 to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Vests U wi t,li iyi
MIR. HOar moved that Mr.. Blair be sworn in.
MIR. Vest objected.
Some discussion ensued regarding the bear
ing of the rules Of the Senate upon the right
Of "a Senator t. send motion of this character
over under objection.
Mr.. Hoar read the record in the case of Mr..
Spohord, OF Louisiana. Upon that occa-
sion Mr.. Thurman moved to administer the
oath, but Mr.. Edmunds had offered an Obec-
ton. The Chair (Mr. Wheeler) ruled that the
question was one OF the highest privilege, and
mat objection would not carry over
Mr.. Holr offered a formal resolution that
the oath be administered to the Senator from
New Hampshire.
Mir. Harris asked unanimous consent that
1t lay over Ii tomorrow. This was granted.
TELLER CONDEMNED.
The resolution offered Friday by Mr.. Van
Wyck making inquiries OF the Secretary of
the Interior with regard to the issuing of
patents 70 the New Orleans and Pacific Rail
road Company for what is known as ''the
Backbone land grant" was laid before the
Senate, and Mr. Van Wyck spoke upon it at
great length, reviewing the history OF the road
and grant, and cOndemning the action of the
late Secretary of the Interior. He said that
he desired to give public notice that the legal
ity Of the patents would be contested, so that
purchasers Of the bonds now to 90 issued
might not claim the protection accorded to
Innocent purchasers without notice.
senator Teller, late Secretary of the Inte-
riOr, replied also at great length to Mr.. Van
Wycks attack on the Interior Department,
cn1THctCrlZe0 60lEpOnTtnOHS
un-SenatOrial," and said that the Interior
Department had acted in the matter of the
Backbone grant strictly in accordance with
the laws. lie wanted no mar, he said to defend
him for his action on this subject. He de
clined TO fall back under the shadow of the
Cabinet or President. lie insisted that by the
rules Of law and of justice, the railroad
company was entitled to the lands, and it w Is
upon that fact that he rested.
AT ESQ O'Clock D. upon m. motion of Mr..
Frye the Senate adjourned.