Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-27
PASSED BY A PARTY VOTE.
The Senate Adopts the Edmunds Res0
luliOns.

THREE REPUBLICANS VOTE WITH THE DEMO.
Gratis AGAINST THE RESOLUTION 10 REJECT
NoMINATIoNS WHEN PAPERS ASKED OF THE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS ARE REFUSED.
The Edmunds resolutions were adopted by
the Senate last night after a spirited debate.
Messrs. Ingalls, and Harrison spoke In behalf Of
the resolutions. Mr.. Van Wyck then spoke ina
behalf of his amendment to consider removals
and nominations in open session. He MAIN
tanned that If there was any consistency in
proving the Attorney General for refusing To
making official papers public the Senate should
abolish its search or ''star chamber" sessions
Mr. Plat said he was in favor of open sessions
for the consideration OF nominations, but did
not want 10 complicate that question with the
The presiding officer, Mr.. Sherman, decided
the amendment out OF order.
Mr.. Butler appealed from the decision OF the
chair and that appeal was laid on the table by
a vote of 81 To %.
The Edmunds resolutions were then voted
upon separately. The first one, agreeing 10 and
adopting the majority report OF the Judiciary
committee, was adopted by a vote OF 81 10 re-
a strict party vote.
'That the Senate hereby expresses its condem-
nation OF the refusal of the Attorney General,
ate copies of papers called for by its resolution
of the 25th OF January, and set forth in the
port OF the committee on the judiciary, i'm
violation OF his official duty and subversive OF
the fundamental principles of the government
and of a good administration thereor'-was
adopted by a strict party vote.
The passage OF these two resolutions did not
create much surprise. The whole interest OF
the occasion conferred, however, i'm the third OF
the series
"That it is, under these circumstances, the
duty OF the Senate TO refuse its advice and con-
sent to proposed removals OF officers, the docu-
ments and papers In reference TO the supposed
official or personal misconduct OF whom arc
withheld by the executive or any head of de-
partment when deemed necessary by the sen-
ate and called for in considering the matter"
A spirited debate followed the reading OF the
resolution. Mr.. Gray made the point Of order
that as the resolution practically changed q rule
Of the senate IL was not in order. The chair
ruled this out, and an appeal by Mr.. Gray was
adopted by a vote of 80 to 29-Messrs. Mitchell,
of Oregon; Van Wyck and Riddleberger, repub-
licans, voting with the democrats.
The next resolution was read as follows:
That the provisions Of the Revised Statutes,
declaring that persons honorably discharged
from the military or naval service by reason OF
disability resulting from wounds or sickness In.
CURED In the line Of duty shall be preferred for
appointment TO civil Offices, provided they are
found to possess the business capacity necessary
for the proper discharge OF the duties of such
Office ought to be faithfully and fully put In ex-
ecufion, and that TO remove or 20 propose 20 re-
move, any such soldier whose faithfulnesA com.
Pes s1e p anc To- who has not rendered
such service, IL violation OF the spirit Of the
law and of the practical gratitude the people
defenders OF constitutional liberty and the In
tegrtty OF the government
This resolution was adopted by vote Of %
70 /, Mr.. Morgan casting the negative vote.
clar1ng that the Attorney General had not rem
dered himself liable to Impeachment was ~
joarnsd ia kaadsy.