The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-02-17

dents we're uri'orm he thought il mex
pedi mt TO provide for the Ger iiratD.
Tbtre was danger. as shown in the ex.
peri'nce Of the Last few years, 10 estab-
lishng preced"nts
Mr.. Clay .sii the prec-dcnts we're not
uni orm, but this course had been pur-.
sued on the election OF Washing on.
Harrison, L ncoln and Grant on their
frs, terms, and perhaps otbers.
Mr.. Holman moved to strike out that
por i'm of The resolution relai ing 10 the
certificates OF election
Mr.. j D Taylor 20 io) m wed to lay
the motion on The ,able Lost-3S 10
lOS.
Mr.. Holman's amendment was adopt
ed wi'hou, Division and the concurrent
resolution was agreed to
Senate Proceedings.
At :25 p. m the Senators returned
tn the Senate Chamber, and the Presi-
dent pro tempore OF that body baving
resumed the chair, he teliers ON the part
Of the Senate. Messrs Hoar and Pen
IL ton. appeared and, on their bshalf,
Mr. Hosr reported the result Of the
electorial count. When the telers' re
port vas completed, the President Of the
Senate reported verbs'in the closing
! sentence of the announcement mae by
i'm in the House OF Representatives re
Ialing to the declaration OF the vote.
That sentence was as follows: "ADd the
Presid, mt Of the Senste makes this dec
laration only as public sta EN- mt in the
presence OF the two Houses OF Congress
of the contents OF papers opened and
read on this occasion, and not as pn'-
ses>ing any authority in Law to declare
any legal conclusion whstever."
Challenging the Declaration.
Mr.. Congef sad he desired, ~ onr
member of the Senate, 10 say that be
entirely dissented from the declaration
that the Pre.iient OF the Senate or V cs
President had no other power in an.
nouncing that vote than to announct
the fact, and be did not know by whs'
suthoriry the sentence quoted had beeE
m ade part of the declara'i n.
Mr.. Sherman said F.: IL also wish fol
myself, having put ON record nv opin.
ion on this question at other times 'o
again assert and pnt on record my opin'
ion that The declaration made was tht
decla, alton of the gentleman who presi
ded on that occasion expressing his owr
opinion and should not he taken as ,
precedent except so far as 1t may com
mand the Judgment of mankind hereaf
ter hel,eve the Vice President OF tot
United States declared and exercised {
Cons i'u'ional power when be presidet
over the holy To-day and counted tn,
vote, and that his announcement OF tn
vote is a conclusive end OF all argumen
upon the question. and that, in doin!
so, be not onl. gave hi' own opinion q
the result OF certain pap RS given to im
hut he M .de the only constitutional dec
laration provi led TOR under the exi,tin!
law, who is to he President OF the Unite,
States after the Of March,"
After remarks bv Messrs Hoar, Lsp
, ham. Wills and Ingalls, on the suhjec,
the Chsi- E imuud> said he ressrde!
the Senate as 10 no wav responsible fn
the declaration made by him. He ha
performed hi. Congregational dutv, an
had, on his o. wn responsibility, made ID
declaration referred to.
soluion offered by ingalls, declar
ing that the Senate does not a.sedt |
Mr.. Eimnnds' declaration vent oSe
until tomorrow, as did a resolution b
Mr.. Hoar approving his course.