The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-31
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS
Senate Sessions,


b." Senate Sessions.
FIFTY-FIFTH DAY.-The debate upon the
resolution Of censure Of the Presidents policy
m, N declining to furnish paper; relative to the
Duskin case was continued by Mr. Kenna,
who argued in favor of the stand taken by
the administration. "Reviewing the con-
troversy in all its facts and details"
he said, 1.-The one and only question
involved is this single one whether the Pres
ident shall be allowed, in fulfillment of his
obligations to the people, to administer the
government by agents Of his own choice, or
shall be compelled to use agents not
OF his OWL. choice, not having his
confidence and often engaged in bring
ing him and his administration into disrepute.
You may modify your demands as you please.
still the issue is the same, whether Demo
cratic administration shall perform its
functions without the obstruction of op-
position by the Senate. The election Of
PRESIDENT means change in officers,
which the people are powerless to effect
except by electing President. Mr.. Cleve-
lands election involved the choice Of men
and instrumentalities to carry on the govern
ment; it involved that COLLECTORS, consus and
postmasters shall CO. They all ought to 60.
gressional reports what Messrs. Edmunds
and Sherman had said in discuss
ing the first and second tenure of
office acts He read from Mr.. Blaines secs
ond volume the account of how Mr. Edmund
had demanded the passage Of the first tenure
OF office act for all administrations and for
all time," and, when General Grant came in,
had headed the demand for its repeal, to give
General Grant power to sweep out Of office all
persons then in Office Mr.. Edmunds said
Mr.. Kenna, twas working for his political
friends like Turk in 1867 and like beaver
in 1862" He quoted also General Logan's
proposed amendment in 1869, that all offices
filled by Mr.. Johnson previous to the 4th Of
March, 1869, should be held vacant on the
3Oth OF June Of the same year, thus legis-
lating complete sweep. Continuing, he said:
Under the act of 1867 the President was
obliged to- send to the Senate the reasons why
he had SUSPENDED a man. This provision
was repealed in 1869. 1t was nowhere re.
manded. It is no longer law. The pres
ent motion of the Republican Senators
is an attempt to re-enact it by the
resolution, not of Congress, not even Of one
house of Congress. but Of a majority of
committee of one House." In conclusion, Mr.;
kenna expressed his conviction that Presi-
dent Cleveland would maintain every prero-
gative Of his high Office and transmit them
llnimpaired to his successor.
FIFTY-SIXTH DAY.-There was no bust
ness, the funeral of Senator Miller-the first
since Senator Summers death twelve years
ago-occupying the attention of the
Senate. The galleries were filed. On the
floor of the Senate were seated Sena-
tors, Representatives, many men,
bers of the diplomatic corps, the
judiciary, President Cleveland and his cabi-
net, excepting Secretary Whitney and At
torney General Garland, and many promi-
nent citizens and public men. The casket
containing the remains of the dead Senator
was brought from his, residence to the
capitol at noon, escorted by committee
of the loyal legion, acting as honorary pail
bearers. President Sherman called the
Senate to order. The congressional pail
bearers entered the chamber surrounding the
casket, which was borne by ten capitol po-
licemen, followed by the Loyal
Legion and honorary pall-bearers.
The casket was preceded by Rev. Dr. Leon
ard Of St. Johns church, ,and was placed upon
simple catafalque in the open space in front
Of the presidents desk. The reading Of the
brief Gturgical service lasted ten minutes, the
chaplains Of the two Houses participating.
When it was finished the casket was borne
out of the chamber and the Senate adjourned
The casket was carried to the hearse and
driven to the Baltimore and Potomac depot,
preceded by the Marine Band and followed
by long procession of Senators, Represen-
tatives and citizens on foot. Arriving at the
depot the remains were placed in charge Of
the Loyal Legion. who acted as guards until
the departure of the special funeral train for
San Francisco, accompanied by the congress
sional committee. 81.
Mr. Edmunds Rev. j. G. Butler, rector of the
Memorial church, Washington, was appointed
chaplain of the Senate as successor to Rev.
DR.. Huntley, resigned. 30. Memorials Of the
Knights Of Labor were presented protesting
against the denial of the extra pay which had
been provided for by law for workingmen in
the government service who worked more
than eight hours per day. In presenting one
of these memorials, Mr.. ingalls, said the COM
plant was just one, and the nation had
been disgraced by the violation of law COM
planned Of in the memorial. :. =. Mr.. Ingalls,
introduced joint resolution proposing con-
stitutional amendment changing the day on
which the presidential term begins from
March to April 80. "A message came
from the House Of the death of Representative
Hahn, and on motion of Mr.. Eustis the Senate
adjourned. ..- P ,... ..'
F1FTY-EIGHTH DAY.-The Senate passed
the bill to increase from IS to $12 per month
the pensions of widows and dependent rela-
tives of deceased soldiers and sailors just as
it passed the House. -. .Messrs. Nor
ril and Cullom resumed the dis
cussion on the majority report Of the ju-
dietary committee relative to the Senate's
right to call upon the President for papers re-
lating to suspensions in Office, and argued in
favor of such right Mr.. Maxey opposed
the majority report and defended the Presi-
dents right to withhold papers.
F1FTY-NINTH DAY.-Debate continued on
Mr.. Edmunds' resolution relating to the right
of the President to withhold papers called
for by the Senate and referring to the sus-
pension of officials, Mr.. Wilson, of Mary
land, saying that in the particular case under
discussion the suspended officer, Duskin, dis
trict attorney for Alabama, had made no
complaint, but had assumed that he was sus-
pended for political partisanship. Mr.. Beck
spoke next, defending the Pre- ident, and while
speaking Mr. Edmunds remarked that the
speaker was violating the duty of u Senator
in respect to proceedings in executive session
Mr.. Beck denied this. and thereupon long
personal discussion between the two Senators
occurred upon the question Of senatorial!
honO- . The Senate ame nde1 electoral
count. DILL was passed without division.
House Sessions.
SIxTY-FIRsT DAY.-Mr. Swope, Of Penn
sylvania, from the committee on invalid
pensions, reported a bill granting a pension
of g., 900 year to the widow of General w.
S. Hancock. Private calendar. 1.-The report
LII s4