New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-09
WHO WILLSUCCEED INGALLSl
A NEW PRESIDENT PRO TEMPoRE OF THE
SENATE MUST BE CHOSEN
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES NEEDED FOR THE
DUTY-MR- ALDRIcH AND Mr. FRYE

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES NEEDED FOR THE
pUrY-MR. ALDRIcH AND MR. FRYE
MENTIONED FOR THE PLACE.
rBr TELEGRAPH THE TKDUSEl
washington. Feb s-The retirement of Mr.. ingalls,
from the senate on March will make necessary
the selection of president pro tempore OF that
body and already there is some gossip about the
choice OF successor to Dresid" over the SENATE IN
the absence OF tho ViccF esident Among the present
members OF the Senate but two besides Mr. ingalls,
have served terms in the chair. each being chose"
I'm consequence of vacancy in the VicePresidency'
and each being consequently during IT. ,. scve' in
the line of Presidential succession. Mr. Edmunds was
chosen president Of the Senate in 1881, after the
death OF President Garfield had carried VcePresident
Arthur into the White House. The Vermont Senator re-
taIned tho place till the end of the Arthur Administra
ton. In March, 1885. After the death OF VicePresi
dent Hendricks. in the fall of that year. Mr. sherman
WA chosen president of the Senate, serving for the
life of the XLIXth Congress. Mr.. ingalls, was CHOSEN
as his successor In 1887 the Northumberland
act having shorn the place OF Its extreme pohucu I'M
portance and has continued in the presidency pro
tempore ever since. Both Mr.. Edmunds ana Mr. eher-
man gave up the Office voluntarily IN its best days Tor
less exacting and congenial duties in committee
and on the floor Of the Senate and now that no ne"
honor or dignity be derived from the place neither
is likely to be put back to the chairman
Ship Each is fully occupied with MS Work In lines
of legislation, and do far more eneetve service
for the country and with greater personal comfort OUT
Of the chair than it is. The president pro tempore
OF the Senate must however, be regarded even in It's
present state as post Of great honor and dignity and
among the other Republican senators there are few
who would not think election to 1t noteworthy ex'
preston of esteem and confidence the part OF his
colleagues.
1t goes without saying that the senator chosen must
have exceptional qualifications for the place. Mr..
&c an
authority on the methods of conducting business in the
Senate and takes a conspicuous part in forwarding
legislation by his frequent suggestions ana corecuos
in all parliamentary difficulties. Mr. sherman ana
Mr. ingalls, are equally expert in applying the rules
OF the Senate In all emergencies. Both are no"
members of the Committee Rules and both have nad
long practice and intimate acquaintance with tno
rather indefinite methods of parliamentary procedure
as practsed in the smaller branch of Congress- The
new president pro tempore will naturally be eApecteo
to show an equal familiarity with the rules, ana equal
SKILL and ability as a parliamentarian. Al least TWO
Senators who would meet this expectation mght Dc
mentioned of hand-Messrs. Frye and Aldr1ch.
Mr. Aldrch is the present chairman Of the Commit
tee on Rules and would make excellent presiding
officer having all the qualities needed In that oleh
difficult and delicate Office. He is much engrosseo,
however, with the work Of the Finance Commttee a9
ders 1t is his intention also TO retire from he senate
at end Of his present term and this may na interfere
Mr.. Frye Of Name is also spoken Of generally by
his Republican colleagues most acceptable successor
Committee on Rules and has had a thorough parha-
mentary training both In the House of Representatives
and the senate. When in the chair ne Is prompt,
decided and accurate, and his decisions on knotty
points are seldom disputed 1t is thought that Mr..
FRYE would willingly accept the task OF presiding over
the senate in the Vice Presidents absence and his Sc
lection would be certain TO meet with general approval
and satisfaction. No choice of president pro tenpOe
is likely TO be made. however until the next session OF
the Senate though it may be found convenient 10 nave
fhe succession fixed before the present session ends
in view Of complications which might arise after March
a