The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-08
The Senate Meets.

WALHINGToN, Dec THE Senate galleries
were crowded with spectators day to witness
the opening OF that branch of Congress. An
unusually large number of new Senators were
to be sworn in, counting up seventeen without
the Senator from Florida neither the name of
Call or davidson being on the printed list At
noon the VicePresident took the chair and the
session was opened with prayer by Chaplain
Butler. After this the Vice President laid be-
fore the Senate the credentials OF the new SEN
ators, the resignation OF Senator Reagan of
Texas, and the appointment by the governor OF
that state Of Mr.. Chiffon. Other credentials
were those OF FELTON,, of California TO fill the va
cancy caused by Hearst's death; the resignation
of Edmunds, OF Vermont, and the appointment
of Proctor; and the credentials OF Call and
Davidson, each claiming to be senator
for Florida. After the latter two were read.
Harris moved that they be referred to the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, so the ques-
ton might be decided in the light of thorough
investigation. He asked that they be laid on
the table.
George said he would not object to this re-
quest, out tomorrow he would insist the Senate
had both the facts and law before it and ought
to proceed at once to seat Call as the legally
elected member. After a few remarks by Hoar,
the matter went over.
When the credentials of Senator Brice, Sen
ator-elect from Ohio, were presented. Senator
SHERMAN salQ. before JQe Oath OF ONCE is ad-
minlstered to Mr.. Brice, desire to say large
portion of the citizens OF Ohio CON
tend he was not an inhabitant of that
state at the time OF his election
and was therefore not eligible to a seat in this
| body. On examining the precedents (of which
there are several in the history Of the govern
ment, and some of them most importantly I am
| entirely satisfied Brice is entitled to be sworn
| in on the prima facie evidence OF his creden.
tials. which are regular in form. 1 simply give
this notice, however, so his being sworn in may
not be considered any waiver or any misappre.
hension or misconstruction il the people or leg
| islature OF Ohio should assert and prove to the
| satisfaction Of the Senate that Brice was not
at the time OF his election, an inhabitant Of
Ohio. But make no objection to the swearing
| in of Mr.. Brice.'
! The swearing in OF newly elected (or an
pointed) Senators was then proceeded with
They were sworn in groups OF four or FIVE, in
the first group being Brice, who was escorted
| by Kenna. In the next group were Chiffon, Of
Texas; Dubois of Idaho; FELTON,, of California
| and Challenger, Of New Hampshire.
| Hoar said as to Chiffon, there was question
as to whether the governor of Texas had the
power to appoint before vacancy actually oc.
| Cured, he would afterwards move to refer
the case to the committee on privileges ant
elections.
| Hale said he desired to examine the
| credentials OF Dubois and asked that thew lie
on the table till tomorrow. Agreed to; ant
the other Senators in the group were sworn in
The name of Hill, Senator elect from New
York, was not printed on the list nor were his
| credentials presented.
| There were but four members Of the Senate
not In their seats: These were Jones, OF Ar
kansaw; Jones, Of Nevada; Stanford, OF Cali
| fornia, and Vance, of North Carolina
| Hoar submitted a motion that Call be ad
mitted to take the oath as Senator from Florlds
and said he would let 1t go over till to- morrow
| Collum made like motion in reference t.
| Dubois.
After the transaction OF some routine bushes,
| the Senate adjourned.