Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-13

successors Of the feudal lords Of the
middle ages. But they did not have
the same class Of persons to deal with.
"Of one thing / can assure them"
Mr.. Vance said, "and that is, that in
this country, where the people rule,
silver is not going to be demonetized."
MIR. Brown remarked that owing to
severe hoarseness he would prefer to
postpone till Thursday next the de-
livery of his remarks on the silver
question, and Mr.. Maxey stated that
he, too, would address the Senate on
that day on the same subject.
The Senate, at 2:45, went into execu-
tive session.
At O'Clock the doors were reopened
and the Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
The Speaker announced the appoint
ment of Messrs. Singleton Of Missis-
sippi, Wilson Of West Virginia, and
Phelps of New Jersey as members Of the
Board of Regents Of Smithsonian In
stitution.
Mr.. Spriggs, of New York, from the
Committee on Accounts, reported q re-
solution authorizing the appointment
Of thirty-one session-committee clerks
and specifying the committees which
are entitled to employ them. Adopted.
Mr.. Burrows, Of Michigan, from the
Committee on Post-Offices and Post
Roads, reported a resolution calling on
the Postmaster General for information
as to the changes made in the law regu-
lating compensation to railway compa-
MES for carrying mails, and also as to
what facilities are necessary to enable
him to make a thorough and satisfac-
tory examination of this subject.
Adopted.
Mr.. Caldwell, of Tennessee, from
the Committee on Laws Regulating the
Election of President and Vice-Presi-
dent, reported back without amend
ment the Hoar presidential-succession
bill, and it was placed on the House
calendar.
Mr.. Cooper, Of Ohio, gave notice that
he would file minority report.
In reporting the Hoar bill to regu-
late the presidential succession to the
House the majority of the Committee
on the Election Of President and
Vice. President say it is absolutely ne
cessary to provide for succession I'M
der the circumstances now existing,
leaving the further and more satisfac-
tory provision for contingencies which
may possibly arise to other measures
hereafter to be proposed. Asst the ques-
ton of the advisability Of changing the
present law, the majority say that they
are confronted by many difficulties that
arise in an endeavor to ascertain the
constitutionality of the present system.
There are grave doubts as to whether
the President pro tenn. Of the Senate
or Speaker Of the House are such Off
GERS of the United States as, in mean
ing and intent Of the Constitution, could
succeed to the presidential oilice-sta-
tutes providing therefor to the contrary
Notwithstanding. These doubts would
disturb succession under the present
statutes, and would in all probability
lead to contest that would disquiet the
nation, unsettle business, and disturb
the peace Of the country. After quota
tons from the Madison papers and early
statutes, the majority say it is shown
that the propriety Of this (present mea-
sure Of succession was challenged by
the father of the Constitution, not only
in the Federal Convention, but in Con-
gress. 1t is true that no trouble has
arisen under it, but it is also true
there has fortunately been no occasion
to apply it to the settlement of
the presidential succession, and it
is perhaps warrantable to say that
if occasion had arisen for its use
trouble would. have probably ensued.
A grave objection to the present sys-
tenn in the opinion of a majority is the
fact that it merges the executive branch
into the legislative branch Of the Gov
eminent, and annexes" the powers
and duties Of the chief executive oiii-
Ger to the position Of President pro
TEN. of the Senate or Speaker of the
| House. AS President of the Senate he
would preside over proceedings involy-
ing the confirmation of his own nomi-
nations, and as Speaker Of the House he
could vote to sustain his own vetoes.
Either house of Congress may expel
one of its members hence the acting
President might be expelled. After
further discussing the subject the
majority conclude that the President
pro tenn. Of the Senate and Speaker of
the House are in no sense officers
of the United States upon whom
the presidential succession can de-
volve. The majority of the COM
mittee think that the Cabinet
officer selected by chosen President
of the people, by and with the consent
of the Senate--representative of body
Of sovereign States-is certainly the
proper successor to the administration
| of the Government for the remainder
Of the term. In conclusion, the report
says: 1.-The passage of this act will
meet the just expectations Of the peo-
pie to provide for an evil that may be-
fall us, and whether it is perfect in all
respects to meet the difficulties that con-
front us or not, it is much better
than the present system governing the
presidential succession, and will at the
best put the question in its present
shape at rest until it may be definitely
settled by a constitutional amendment,
or such other means as Congress may
determine"
A bill was introduced in the Senate
to-day by Mr.. Butler, of South Caro-
lima, to amend the Revised Statutes so
that the term of service of aids and
military secretaries to the lieutenant
general, major-genersls, and brigadier-
generals shall be left to the discretion OF
the officer to whom they act as aids OF
military secretaries.
Mr.. Geddes, OF Ohio, from the Com
mittee on War Claims, reported a bill
for the payment Of the "Fourth-oi-
July claims"
The Speaker proceeded, under the
new rule, to call the committees for
the purpose of permitting them to call
up measures for immediate action.
A n ~ ha