Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-12-11

of the Senate---He Declines TO
Accept the Honor Conferred on
Him.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-The caucus
of Republican senators met promptly
at IL o'clock to-day, Senator Sherman
in the chair, and proceeded at once to
consider the question of the election
of a president pro tenn. OF the senate,
made necessary by the death OF Vice
President Hendricks. Senator Ed
munds stated that last summer, when
the Republicans of the nation in con-
vention nominated Gen. Logan for
vice-president, he (Edmunds) had
thought it right toward Gen. Logan
and toward the party, that he should
etire from the presidency of the
4 senate, and that Gen. Logan should be
chosen in his place. and as they all
remembered he had communicated that
opinion and desire to the Republican
senators in a formal way, but it was
thought at the time that the change
would be not made, especially as Gen.
Logan did not wish it to be made. At
the presidential election last fall Gen.
Logan had received, he believed, the
votes of all the Republicans who
had the opportunity to vote,
and came very near being the choice
of the people for the office OF vice.
president, which would have made
him ex-oficio, the president Of the
senate, and under the law charged
with the duty Of carrying on the
government in case of any disability
to the president Of the United States
until an election could be had. In
this state of things he thought it right
that the Republicans should renew that
expression of confidence in Gen. Logan
by nominating him for president OF
the senate and he accordingly moved
that Gen. Logan be so nominated by
Reclamation. Several senators spoke
briefly in favor of the nomination and
the question was put and agreed to
Unanimously.
The chairman announced the unani-
nous nomination Of John A. Logan
as the Republican candidate for
PRESIDENT pro tempore of the senate.
Gen. Logan said "Mr. Chairman
From the depths Of my heart thank
the Republican Senators for the conf
dence they repose in me, as expressed
by the nomination just rendered by
Reclamation for the position of tempo
rary presiding officer Of the Senate. l
not only thank them, but the people
of the whole country, for the desire
they seem to feel that | should he
given this very honorable position. /
was, however, sir, the candidate of the
Republican party for vice-president
and was voted for at the last election
l was not elected for that position.
then thanked the Republican party,
and through the senators present
again return to the Republicans of the
country my grateful acknowledgement
81 thought that l could better serve
10y constituents and country by accept
ing this position | would most unhesl-
talingly 90 so and perform the duties
to the best of my ability. l do not so
think. and am sure that l can, by work
necessary to be performed on com
mittees and otherwise, do more that
NAV be useful by remaining in my
present position. 1t is not to my taste,
and unless l thought that could per
form the duties in Il more satisfactory
manner than other senators, which
do not see, u necessity for me to oc
cupy the chair in preference to any Of
my brother sen Ators. The senate has
at all times been presided over
in a most satisfactory manner
since | have had the honor t.
be one of its members, ant
doubtless will be go again by any one
that may be selected. l am ready tt
assist in elevating any n who ma,
be selected, and now, my brother sena
tors, l want you to know that l full.
y appreciate your kindness and the grea
compliment paid me, but you mus
allow me to say that after CAREFUL,
A~s,psidering the matter, l feel l ough
3'decline this nomination, and nov
most respectfully do so.
After some remarks made by sew
eral senators in depreciation of tn
declination of Gen. Logan, that gentle
man said that he had arrived at tn
conclusion expressed by him after fu'
elaboration and wished it considers
as final.
On uotion the injunction of secrec,
was renewed from the proceedings an
the caucus adjourned until Il o'cloc
tomorrow.