The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-04-13
THE CHANCE MADE,
The Democrats Now Have Complete Con-
troll of the Senate Offices.


On Thursday. April s. the Senate concluded
teehsnge the political complexion of the elect.
i've officers of that BODY. althouph sneh n
change bad never before been made during an
extra session of the Senate and was entirely
without precedent. But the pressure from the
outside was so strong that the majority con-
eiuded TO make precedent for themselves
The Republican Senators concluded not TO
igh. the matter, although when the Democrats
FIRST proposed to make tie change during the
extra session the Repubicans gave it out thas
they wonld fight it 70 the bitter end
The Democrats. when they first found they
had 8 majority, were determined to at once
make the change: but they soon weakened. and
asked the Republicans if they might be allowed
to install tho newly-eected officers OF the irss
day OF the fiscal year. July 1. To this the
Republicans objected s,reruously, stating that
when the new session Of Congress began they
would make no protest to the installation OF
the new officers. Tho Republicans finally
Withdrew their objections aud on Thursday
the resolution which declared William r
Cox, of North Carolina, be and he is hereby
elected Secretary of the Senate. his term OF
Office 70 begin on the first day Of the meeting
OF the sd Congress. whether in extraordinary
or regular session, until which time the present
incumbent shall continue to be the Secretary
OF the Senate, unless the Office Of Secretary
becomes vacant before the first day Of the
meeting Of the SD Congress. in which event
said Cox shall be at once Secretary Of the Sen
ate and enter at once upon the discharge Of
his duties as Secretary"
Similar resolutions were adopted regarding
Col Bright, of Indiana. az Sergeant at Arms.
and DR.. Milburn rs Chaplain. Several Senators
on the Democratic side expressed their high
appreciation of the old officers of the Senate
Gen. John u. Palmer, Of Illinois. going so far
as to say that the amicabls arrangement ar
rived az between the political factions had re-
lieyed him from very embarrassing position,
he declaring that he did not believe that he
would have found il practicable for him 70
have voted to depose Secretary AeCock from
the position. He said, in part:
" desire to extend my thanks first, to thu
Senators both sides OF the Chamber who
| have agreed upon the resolutions for relieving
me from position Of most painful embarrass-
ment. | have been taught since becoming a
member OF this body that there were certain
Senatorial traditions in respect TO the change
OF the officers of the body and I had after ma
ture consideration, learned to respect them. I
am also party man and attached to the pogiti-
cal organization with which I act. Bat the
proposition TO make an immediate change was
met by most earnest respect-perhaps the
word love is too strong to express the feeling
one man bears to apotber-for the Secretary
of this body. If the proposition had been made
to change the Secretary Of the Senate violently
am not now prepared to say what course 7
should have been compelled 10 pursue.
Much more mature in point of age than tho
Secretary of the Senate, he served under my
command during the war. He won my conf
dence as gentleman and a soldier His name
was one that Of itself commanded respect in
the army of the United States-the name Nc
Cook was significant of gsllantry and patriotism.
/ repeat that he served under my immediate
command KNEW him and saw him on battle
fields / learned to respect him. He still COM
mands my respect.
Il regret that political changes make sae.'
cession necessary, but. even though the reso-
iutIons have been assented to by all parties, I
could not permit their passage without bearing
this testimony TO my esteem for the Secretary
of the Senate, who will soon give place to an
other"