Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-28
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
Robert 7. Lincoln Appointed
Minister TO England.
Halstead, Rice and Patrick Easan
Among the Favored.
Tenare Of Senate President Pro Tempore
Debated.
Shall He be appointed When Nesded OF
Hold Over.
Oklahoma to be Opened April 22d.-
New Postmaster for South Gar diner.


| WAsHiNGros, March u.
At today's session of the Senate the reso-
lutions heretofore offered by Butler declar-
ing that the tenure of the president pro tenn
pore does not expire at the meeting of Con-
Zress after recess but is held at the pleasure
Of the Senate, was taken up.
George made constitutional argument in
opposition To them. He argued that the
president pro TEN. could be chosen only for
the time during which necessity might exist,
that was. during the absence of the Vice
President. The Vice President was appoint
ed not by the Senate but by the people. No
arrangement should be made which would
tend to show that the presence of the Vice
President was not material,
Turpee took an opposite view Of the
question. He argued that the words of the
constitution indicated the term Of service of
the president pro tenn. The words were.
In the absence Of the Vice President" |,
would BE- noticed that the word ''absence"
was written in the constitution with a capital
A. indicating that the word included every
occasion of absence. He referred to all
the absences of the Vice President. The
president pro tenn, held the Office subject to
the pleasure of the Senate. The Senate
might choose a new substitute for the Vice
President but it would choose such a subst-
tute for all absences of the Vice President.
Reagan conceded with the views expressed
by Turpie.
Eyarts had prepared resolution which he
thought would cover all the points:
Resolved, That it Is competent to the SEN
ate to elect president pro TEN. who shall
hold the office during the pleasure of the
Senate and until another ls elected, and
shall execute the duties thereof whenever
the Vice President is absent
Butler thought the question ought to be
settled but there could be no great inconve-
nience in letting the matter remain as it
was.
II lar said that when the question was first
presented be had been opposed to the reso-
lutious, but had become satisfied that they
were the best arguments in favor of the pow
er of the Senate to choose officer who
might ia 1e the chair in cases of repeated
absence. of the Vice President, without a
new election.
Dolph argued against the propriety of
such construction Of the constitution as
would authorize tie Senate to choose an
Ufi ,r to perform the duties of the President
o. he Senate during successive absences Of
the Vice President.
Dawes argued against the resolutions as at
Senate for 100 years aud also at variance
with the contemporaneous construction given
BY Jefferson and the trainers OF the constitu
ton. 1t appeared to him sbsurdity to choose
president pro TEN before needed or when
not needed.
The resolutions Of Butler and Eyarts were
referred to committee on privileges and elec-
tons.
Allison offered resolutions which were re-
ferred to the committee on miitary affairs,
relative to the appropriations of Sl60 900
made in 1885 to enable the Secretary of War
to acquire good and valid the title to Fort
Brown military reservation in Texas. Docu-
mentary evidence on file in the War Depart
ment showed $50, 900 large price to pay
for the property, and instructing the commit
tee on military affairs TO inquire into the mat
ter and the Secretary of War to withhold
pay ment of any part of the sum.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of executive business and at $50 adjourned.