Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-15
Washington Notes.
[By telegraph % The Dispatch.

Warrington Notes.
[By telegraph 10 the Dispaich.l
WAsBE0T0N, March IA The time spent
by the Republican senators In caucus today
was occupied almost entirely IN discussing
the status Of the President pro TEN. For
number OF wears presidents pro tempOre have
been actually presidents OF the Senate con-
tinuously during the sessions for which they
were elected, but the presidents established
during the times when elected Nice-Presi-
dents were IN Office were 90 elect q PRECEDENT
pro feDpOrs for one occasion only and
not for regular service during the ses'
sion whenever the Vice President might
be absent. The argument III favor Of
following the pgecedents was based
upon the contention that tho COnNs
tntion requires an election OF president
pro teiGp0re every time necessity occurs.
Those " no took this view urged that II was
plainly tue intent q, the trainers OF the Con-
sliiution thsi the Vcc.PTesident should be
present ready 10 discharge his duty the same
a. any other officer OF The Government; that
be was gwen sn important function ia GER
tain conference.-the eating vote ~ case on
tie on the door; and tnat II was not The
purpose 10 put a premium 90 his absence.
To This end It was msde the duty oil the
senate u proceed 10 formal election every
time the Vice Pre- i1ent was absent from
the chamber. On the Otaer band was made
the argument OF convenience and might; that
il WAS useless waste OF time and not re-
qWred 10y the Constitution to ballot Tor
president pro tempOre for day at the time,
when tue same purpose could be served by
one election al the beginning OF Congress.
The diversity OF opinion was vide and the
argument spirited. and IL is reported that II
mol. re hot q
ter argument had more weight. Their de-
claTaiiOn that the Senate has the power 10
elect president yrO iciapOTe FOR the entire
session was therefore adoped, and Mr.. In
gals viii continue to act ne president pro
feppOrc i'm the abscrce Of Nice-President
Morton, without further Formally during
the Fifty first Congress.
The rsie nj which nominations are being
sent i'm hy the President leads 10 the belief
that the present session Of The Senate will he
longer than was anticipated. such being
the case, a DISPOSITION was manifested IN the
caucus to-day % consider the southern cleo
ton matters under the llosr and Chandler
resolutions. Some of the senators thnk MI.
Coke's speech should be answered, and II
Is stated that tho indications now are That
this Will be done.
At noon TODAY the President formally re-
The members Of the corps assembled al the
Department Of state, where they were pre-
sented 10 Secretary Balne by Assistant
Secretary Adce. Proceeding TO the White
House the diplomats, who were Jttlred IN
their respective cOuft-dresses, were intro
duccd 70 the President by The secretary OF
state. An ~ the legations were represented.
The President wss assisted 10y MIS-. tiairi-
son. Mrs. Blame. Mr.. and Nrs. Russell Har-
rIson, Mrs. Mckee, and Mr. liaford. The
reception took place 10 the Blue PsrlOr and
lastcdhIlf an hour, no formal speeches being
msGo aud general conversation ensuing alter
each introduction.
The President was able to devote more at
tenliOn 10 oticiql business to-day than on
any day SINCE bs Inauguration. This was
accomplished 10y denying himself 70 all
callers save those NTH whom he bad engage"
ments. 4 crowd came Is usual, and when
they found that toe President was not TO be
seen they turned their attention TO the heads
OF the deuartmenls. The result was that
che Cabmct Officers were 0yerrun with Office
seekers and the President bad little time
To himself. Secretary Noble, Postmaster
General Wanamaker. snd Attorney-General
Miller were IN conference with the Presl-
dent during the forenoon, and t0'day's
nominations we're The result.
George Il. Bates. who was to-day nomi'
mated 10 be one 81 the commissioners TO ne
gotialc with Germany respecting Samoa,
is about forty years OF age, Democrat, AMI
VAIN friend OF eX-Secrclary Bayard. He
Is a son of the eX-ChancelOr Of Delaware
md LAWYER OF high standing in that STATE
being member ~ the firm Of Bates llar-
rington, OF Wilmington. Rates was APP
pointed 10y Secretary Bsyard special commits
sioner 10 investigate our samoan relations
and made 4 long and exhaustive report TO
the department on December 10. 1856.
William Walter Phelps snd John A. kas'
son. who were also nominated to be commits
noners. have had long and DISTINGUISHED
congressional careers and have acquired an
Intimate knowledge OF diplomacy through
service - United States Ministers to Europe
Mr.. Phelps having been Minister to Austria
10 1851 and kassOn Minister to Austria IN
1877 and TO Germany IN 1854.
A large delegation from Georgia waited oG
Secretary Window at the Treasury Depart
mrnt TO-DAY and urged the appointment Of
Colonel James Atkins, OF that state, as Re-
corder OF the Treasury. The Secretary
promised t. consider the matter. This office
Is under the Department OF Justice aud l.
now held by Judge carey, OF New York.
Eugene Schuyler. the nominee for Assist
art Secretary OF state, il al present in Italy,
and IS not expected TO arrive IN Washing
ton for at least month. Meanwhile Walker
Blaine, whose nomination as solicitor oil the
state Department was confirmed yesterday,
is occupying the Assistant Secretary'S desk
vacated by Riyes.