Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-02

l messages on the state of the Union, which | the constitution commands him to make from time to time. This message is devoted
 solely to question for the Senate itself in regard to itself that it has under eonsidera- tion. That is it's singularity. I think it will l strike refecting people in this country as somewhat extraordinary if in these
 days of reform anything at all can be thought extraordinary. I only wish to add the state
 ment so that it shall go with this message so
 far as the newspapers will do me the honor
 to have it go-that the President ot the Uni
 ted States has (unintentionally no doubt)
 misstated the question. The Senate Of the
 United States in it's communications to the
 heads of departments-not his heads of de-
 partments, but the heads of departments
 created by law-directed them to transmit
 certain official papers, and that is
 all. The President of the United
 States undertakes to change the question
 into a consideration by the Senate
 of his reasons motives for putting 8 civil
 officer as it might be called under arrest,
 with which the Senate has not undertaken in
 any way to make any question at all. By
 every message he has sent to this body, and
 they all public, he has asked the Senate
 to advise and consent to him the removal of one officer and the appointment of another.
 That is what he had done, and the Senate in
 ing of wider considerations about
 any deficiencies in the department of
 justice, is asked to remove these
 officers without knowing the condition of the
 administration of their offices. But I do
 not wish to go into that discussion now. 1
 move that the message be referred to the
 Committee on the Judiciary"
 Mir. Harris-"For reasons that I may not
 refer to here, I have no desire for, nor will
 I consent to the discussion of the questions
 involved in this message at this time. l
 move that the message be printed and lie the table according to the universal custom of this body when the sub ject matter has been reported upon by committee. The Senator from Vermont (Mr Edmunds) as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary has already upon your table
 an elaborate report upon the general ques tions to which this message refers, hence my motion was the ordinary motion made here under circumstances that surround us at this moment"
 MT. Edmunds (sotto voce). "Oh.' Mir. Harris-esI have no earthly objection to the message going to the Committee on | the Judiciary, if the Senator from Vermont desires, but it is unusual and move that it be printed and lie on the table. A discussion ensued between MT. Ed munds and Mr. Harris as to the proper refer ence. Mr. Harris explained first made a motion to print and lie on the table and then | modified it to motion to print. Then the | Senator from Vermont (Mr. Edlnunds) sug- gested that he would move or did move to refer to the COmmlCCee on the JuulcldFy | That is au exact statement of the transac- l tion "
 Mr. Edmunds-"Yes, but the Senator from Tennessee (Afr. Harris) has perfect right to move to print and lay on the table pending my motion and on that call for the l yeas and nays"
 1 N1r. Harris-'I make that motion to print
 and lay on the table and join in the call for | the yeas and nays"
 Mir Harris motion was defeated by a l party vote; yeas 27, nays 32
 MT. Riddleherger voted with the Democrats | in favor of the motion. Some merriment was created by MT. Hoar first voting ''yes''
 and at once correcting himself. MT. Vance suggested to him that "yes" was right. | Gaughter.)
 The question recurring on MT. Edwards | motion referring the message to the Judi
 ciary committee and ordering it printed, it | was agreed to without division.
 The Senate then, on motion of MT. Hale, | again went into executive session. At 5:3O
 p. m. the do-rs were reopened and the Sen
 ate adjourned.