Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-10
Extra Session Of the senate.
by telegraph to the Dispatch

WASHINGTON, March 9.-After the
reading Of the Journal the Chair laid
before the Senate the communication
from the Secretary of State, being the
notice that he (Bayard had forwarded
to the Legislature of Delaware his re-
signation of his position Of senator;
also, communications from the Secre-
tary of Interior and the Attorney-Gene
raj notifying the Senate Of their accept
ance of the Cabinet positions. and re-
questing the President of the Senate to
so notify the Legislatures of their re-
spectiye States.
The credentials Of Mr.. Blair as sem
ator to fill temporary vacancy were
laid before the Senate and read.
Mr.. Vest moved that they be re-
ferrcd 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 con-
dition of things prevailed in the case of
Senator Bell, of New Hampshire, when
the Senate decided, after full discus
sion, in favor of seating that senator.
Mr.. Edmunds said the Bell case was
exactly similar to the present, and that
it had been settled fairly and fully
without party division.
Mr.. salisbury said that he was aware
that the same question arose upon
similar case from New Hampshire, but
the senator's who were then present
would remember that the right Of Bell
was very strongly contested, and on
that occasion, for the first time, he be-
lieved, in the history Of the Senate, it
was decided that the Governor Of a
State might appoint a senator under
such circumstances.
Mr.. Dawes suggested that the proper
and usual course was to receive the
credentials and seat the senator, and
then, if there were questions TO be set
tied they might 60 to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections.
Mr.. Vests motion was lost without
division.
Mr.. IlOar moved that Mr.. Blair be
sworn in.
Mr.. Vest objected.
Some discussion cnsucd regarding the
bearing Of the rules Of the Senate upon
the right Of the Senate to send a motion
of this character over under objection.
Mr.. Hoar read the record in the case
Of SpoHord, of Louisiana. On that
occasion Mr.. Thurman moved to ad-
minister the oath, but Mr.. Edmunds
had offered an objection. The Chair
(Nice-President Wheeier) ruled that the
question was one Of the highest priyi-
legc, and that all objection would not
carry il over.
Mr.. IIOar offered formal resolution
that the oath be administered TO the
Senator from New Hampshire.
Mr.. Harris asked unanimous consent
that il lay over until tomorrow.
Granted.
The resolution offered Friday by Mr..
Van Wyck making inquiries Of the Se>-
rotary Of the Interior with regard to the
issuing Of patents to the New Orleans
and Pacific Railroad Company for what
is known as the g Backbone land
grant " was laid before the Senate, and
Mr.. Van Wyck spoke upon il at great
length, reviewing the history of the
road and grant and condemning the ac-
ton Of the late Secretary of the lnte-
rior. lie said he desired TO give public
notice that the legality of the patents
would be contested, so that the pur-
chascrS Of bonds now to be issued might
not claim the protection accorded to in
nocent purchasers without notice.
Senator Teller, late Secretary Of the
Interior, replied also at great length to
Mr.. Van Wyck's attack on the Interior
Department, which he characterized as
- discourteous and unsenatorial, and
said the Interior Department had acted
in the matter ofthe " Backbone " grant
strictly in accordance with law. lie
wanted no man. he said, to defend him
for his action on this subject He de-
clined to fall back under the shadow Of
the Cabinet or the President. He in
sisted that by the rules Of law aud OF
Justice the railroad company was enti-
tied TO the land, and il was upon that
fact that he rested.
At $50 Z. NJ, upon motion OF Mr..
IL Cos.f. al,.nvual