The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-08

Brice and Others Sworn In-Statement from
MIR. Sherman Concerning His Colleague.
WASHINGTON. Dec. Tin defiance of the
rain. which prevailed from early morning
until about noon. when there was a slight
clearing up of the weather. the Senate Gals
leries were crowded with spectators eager
to witness the opening of the Fifty second
Congress The presidential and diplomatic
galleries were unoccupied. but the reserved
sections were we'll filed with ladies. in
Guiding wives and daughters of Senators,
Here and there throughout the chamber
the desks of the Senators who were TO take
their seats as Senators for the first time
were marked by baskets of flowers and the
Vice presidents desk was distinguished IN
a like manner. There was an unusually
large number of new Senators to be sworn
in, counting mp seventeen without the
Senator from Florida, neither the name Of
Mr.. Call nor that of Mr.. Davidson being on
the printed list of Senators.
AT noon the Vice president took the
chair and the session opened with prayer
by the Chaplain. Rev. j. Ii. Butler. The
Vice president welcomed the Senators to
the resumption of their Official duties and
called the Senate to order, The Vice-pres-
Ident then laid before the Senate the cre-
dentials of new Senators and the letters of
resignation received by bim during the re-
cess Those papers were read. the first
being the letter of resignation of Senator
Reagan, of Texas. and tie appointment by
the Governor of that State Of Mr.. Chiffon
in his stead. The next credentials read
were those OF Mr.. FELTON,. OF California, 10
fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Mr.. Hearst, and the next were the resigna-
.<xfh Do r.fA a
appointment of Mr.. Proctor in his stead.
The next credentials read were those of
Mr.. Call and Mr.. Davidson, each claiming
to be Senator from Florida. After they
were both read Mr. Harris expressed the
opinion that the proper course 10 be pur-
sued with them was 10 refer them both TO
the committee on privileges and elections,
SO that the question might be decided in
the light OF thorough Investigation. lie
asked that both credentials be laid on the
table for the day. and said that he would
probably Tomorrow name their reference
TO the eommlttee on privileges and cleo
tions. After further discussion by MIR.
George and Mr. Hoar, both credentials
were placed on file.
THE CASE OF Mr.. BRIcE.
The credentials of Mr. Brice as Senator
elect from Ohio having been presented and
read. Mr.. Sherman said: Before the oath
of Office is administered TO Mr. Brice, de-
zens of Ohio contend that be was not an
inhabitant of that State at the time of his
election, and was. therefore not eligible to
seat in this body. On examining the
precedents. of which there are several ip
the history of the government. and some OF
them most important, / am entirely sat
Isted that Mr.. Brlce Is entitled to be sworn
in on the prlma facie case of his credentials.
which are regular in form. ] simply give
this notice, however, SO that his being
sworn may not be considered any waiver. or
any misapprehension, or misconstruction
if the people or the Legislature of Ohio
should assert aud prove TO the satisfaction
of the Senate that Mr.. Brce was not at the
time of his election an inhabitant of Ohio.
/ think that this statement from me is
proper and necessary. But | make no OH
lection TO the swearing in of Mr. Bricer
The swearing of the newly-elected or
appointed. Senators was then proceeded
with They were sworn in groups of four
or i've. in the first group being Mr.. Brice-
who was escorted by Mr.. Kenna. In tia
next group were Mr.. Chiffon. of Texas.
Mr.. Dubois, of Idaho: Mr.. FELTON,. of Cali.
fornia. and Mr.. Galiinger. OF New Hamp-
shire.
Dir. Hoar said that as 10 Mr.. Ch;,,o,
there was question as TO whether tha
Governor of Texas had the power to an.
point before the vacancy had aetuallv o.
CURED. lie wonld make no objection to
the cath being administered to Mr. Chlitos