Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-26
The New Senate.

METHOD OF PROCEDURE IL THE ORGANIZATION
OF THAT BODY ON THE FOURTH OF MARCH.
The method of procedure in the organization
of the new Senate, which will meet in special
session upon the expiration of the term OF the
present Congress- has been the subject of good
deal OF inquiry of late. 1t is an invariable Gus
tom for the Senate to be convened in special
session upon the incoming of new administra-
ton. The proclamation calling the session is
issued by the outgoing President Four years
ago President Hayes issued the call, proclaim
ing that ''opjects of interest to the United
States require that the Senate should be con-
ceive and act upon such communications as
may be made TO ii on the part of the EXecu-
tive" This proclamation was dated and issued
on the 2Sth of February.
A few minutes before II o'clock, on the 4th
of March, the committee appointed to wait on
the retiring President reported that he had no
further communications to make. Hon. Ches-
ter \. Arthur, Vice President-elect, entered the
Senate chamber, and was conducted to a seat
Oh the right of Mr.. w heeier, the Vice President.
Mr.. Arthur Immediately arose, and briefly adj
dressed the Senate, stating that he came as its
in the discharge of his duties, and promising to
ilnpartially discharge them. At the conclusion
of his remarks he said: 81 am now ready to take
the oath OF office prescribed by the Constitu-
tiOn." WhereupOn the oath was administered
by Mr. Wheeler, who then briefly announced
the termination OF his official connection with
the Senate, and formally declared the Senate of
the Forty-sixth Congress adjourned sine die.
Immediately Vice President Arthur called
the tO OTueT, anu dltcT Tie TeaulDS VI Tue
proclamation calling the session, the Senators
whose terms began with that day were sworn
in. Meantime the President, Mr.. Hayes, the ex-
Vice President, the Supreme Court justices, for
eign ministers, heads of departments and others
entitled by order OF the committee of arrange
ments to enter the chamber had appeared, and
the Senate in a body accompanied them to the
platform at the east middle portico of the Capt.
tol and witnessed the Inauguration of President
Garfield: This is the line ofprocedure which will
be followed next Wednesday. Mr.. Hendricks
will be sworn in before the hour of noon, and
Immediately upon the formal declaration of
final adjournment he will take the chair, con-
yene the Senate and proceed to swear in the
Senators whose terms then begin. Then the
Senate will accompany. various digntaries,
under an order arranged by special committee
of three Senators appointed for that purpose, to
the platform, where Mr.. Cleveland will deliver
his inaugural and take the oath of Office. Eight
years ago the 4th of March came on Sunday,
and the special session of the Senate met ac-
cording to proclamation on Monday, the 5th,
when the usual proceedings and the inaugural
ceremonies were observed. 1t was said at the
time that to avoid any sort of question or COM
plication Mr.. Hayes quietly took the oath of
office at noon on Sunday, the 4th, but no public
record of such an act was made. President Ar
thur will no doubt issue his proclamation for a
special session Of the Senate within a few days.