New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-16
A DAY LOST IN THE SENATE
DEMOCRATIC FIIIBUsTERING EFFECTU.
ALLY HINDERS BUSINESS.
RAISING OBJECTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT PRO
TEN. EXERCISING THE POWERS OF PREsI.
DENT OF THE SENATE IN THE LIEU.
ICY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

TENANT.GOvERNOR'S ABSENCE.
ICY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUsE.l
Albany Feb I5.-The sllver-tongued' Grady and
"Ajax' Cantor, the two ardent candidates for Gov
crnor Hn's favor, resorted TO nioustering tactics
in the Senate this morning, and as tho result not
single bit of work was done. II all arose from the
point brought up by the absence OF the Lieutenant
Governor as TO whether or not, under this condition,
tbe President pro tenn OF the Senate Is President OF the
Senate and has the powers of the latter ohcer This
Is settled by the Constitution, which declares That the
temporary President the President Oh the Senate in
the absence of tho ana possesses
all the latter's powers.
with this authority Senator Fassett, President pro
tenn. appointed Senator Murphy as Chairman of the
senate for TODAY. Senator Murphy took the chair
=, bc usual hour for opening the days proceedings,
,sppcd for order and mooned to the chaplain to make
the PRAYER Tho minister was Interrupted by senator
Cantor who said he rose to question OF high
privilege"
senator Erwin wanted 10 know II they should on
this account. waive the appeal TO the supreme Being
To this Cantor replied that in order not to establish a
precedent, he would move the eecuoh VI senator
Murphy as chairman. Senator Erwin heiu mat THIS
was not in order The point declared we'll taken
and senator Cantor was sent 10 his seat
After foe prayer the motion OF Cantors was re-
,cv.d This was voted down by strict party vote.
the Republicans voting against the MOTION long
and bitter discussion followed, senators oa"or. 'raoV
Ives and Llnson. all Democrats, holding that the
president pro tenn had not the right 10 name chair
man TO serve in his absence and the Republicans hold
ing that the Constitution and Senate rules did give him
that power.
While this discussion was still in progress, Cantor
moved to table the communication OF the PRESIDENT
pro TEN. appointing Senator Murphy Chairman SEN
ator Erwin objected and said that such motion
was not I'm order In this opinion Senator Robertson
I,,.N fr
the chair, decided to let It 60 to vote. This was
dome and Democratic senators Ward and Ives were
hurried ont Of the chamber that there would NOS
he quorum The Democrats present would nor vote,
and were recorded present but not voting
Before the announcement Of the vote was made, sen
ator Sloan moved call of the Senate This was
carried after much nllbusering by Grady and Cantor,
and the call was ordered. There were eighteen mem
bers present.
While the Assistant Sergeant alarms was look
Ing for members Senator Coggeshall made cutting
attack on the obstruction tactics OF the Democrats
Again motion 10 dissolve the call was made,
while Grady was outside the senate rail- oh that
account he demanded TO be excused from voting, but
tried TO speak during the rol-call The chairman had
10 send him 10 his seat. In explaining his vote,
Senator Erwin tokingy said that he simply voting
TO keep the new Republican in the chair This
brought Cantor to his feet who shouted
"You are welcome TO him, If you want him we
are willing to make the contract now|
"The senator is out OF order" roared senator
Murphy handling the gavel vigorously.
That's what | get for paying J III compliment
snapped Cantor.
a. don't want any compliments from you, sill, y
answered Senator Murphy
The motion was again lost. Finally, after much
discussion, Senator Kellogg asked his colleagues to
dissolve the call and him. as he must 30 home
and had to catch a train in twenty minutes THIS
was DONE and 1t left just quorum present Cantor
here made a motion to adjourn. When the ron was
called there was majority OF Republicans against
adourning; but a quorum had not voted
Before this was announced the chairman declared
the journal OF yesterday approved. This was allowed
without objection. A quorum not voting, senator
Murphy adjourned the session. But his ordering Inc
adoption OF the journal OF the previous
session is considered 10 settle the question
of his right preside There seems TO
be only rason for this course OF action by Grady
and Cantor and that TO humiliae Senator Murphy,
who refused become party to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Joness scheme 10 insult senator Fassett
This question as to the powers OF the President
pro TEN Will be settled next week The Republican
members Of the senate will hold caucus on Monday
night, at which the senate rules Will be SO amended
that the President pro tenn alone VIII have the power
| TO appoint temporary presiding officer