Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-03-22
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. March %.


The Vice President laid before the
Senate q resolution of the National In.
dustrial Alliance relative to the Bel
Telephone Company, which was re,
ferred.
The resolution authorizing the ap.
pointment of five new committee clerks
ION geological survey, national banks,
forest reservations, corporations in the
District OF Columbia and trespassers on
Indian lands) was agreed to.
Mr. Mcpherson reported back from
the committee on finance the resolution
directing the commissioner on labor to
make report at the opening of the SD
Congress as to the cost of production
of iron and steel manufactures and OF
textile fabrcs-amended so rs to au-
thorize also the finance committee to
make further investigation into the
same matters, with power to send for
persons and papers.
Mr.. Platt inquired whether the
finance committee was to carry on a
supplementary investigation.
Mr. Mcpherson would not say that
any investigation would be made by
the finance committee but it was
thought we'll that it should have the
privilege of doing so.
Mr.. Frye expressed the hope, sarcas-
tically, that Mr.. Platt would not inter-
fere with Mr.. McPherson's attempt to
obtain correct information" During
the last tariff discussion the Senator
from New Jersey had given to the coun-
try more misinformation on the subject
than it had ever received before. If
the Senator could get some real light,
Mr.. Frye hoped that Mr.. Platt would
interpose no obstacle.
Mr.. Platt said that he was not inter-
ferring in the matter.
The resolution was ordered to be
printed and laid on the table.
Mr.. Henderson said there had come
to him two years ago the distinguished
honor of being elected President pro
tempore of the Senate. No suitable
opportunity had seemed to present it
self hitherto to express his recognition
of that distinction. He now desired to
express his deep sense of the honor and
his heartfelt thanks to his political as
sociates by whom that distinction had
been proposed. He also thanked very
heartily those of opposing politics who
had made no nomination against the
republican selection. He had come to
the place, therefore, by the unanimous
vote of the Senate. He thanked MI for
the distinction conferred and for the
forbearance which had permit
ted him, while occupying the chair, to
discharge its duties with, he hoped,
some satisfaction to the Senate. Re-
cognizing a change of conditions, he
now rendered his resignation of the
office of President pro tenn.
The resignation was, on motion OF
Mr.. Sherman, accepted.
The Senate then, on motion of Mr..
Gorman proceeded to the election ola
president pro TEN.
Mr.. Cockrell offered resolutions de-
claring Senator Harris, of Tennessee,
president pro tenn of the Senate to hold
Office during the pleasure of the Senate
in accordance with the resolution of
March u, 1880.
The resolution was agreed to and
Mr.. Harris, escorted by Mr.. Mander-
son, took and signed the oath of office
at the clerks desk.
AIr. Harris expressed his thanks to
the Senate for the honor conferred
upon him.
A proposition by Mr.. Cullom to be
relieved of the duties as member of
the commission to examine into the
workings of the several executive de-
partments of the government IA COM
mission provided for in the sundry civil
appropriation bill of the last SESSION.
led to debate of considerable length
in which the facts were brought out
that there was no provision of
law for filling vacancies in the
commission, and in which MIR.
Hoar characterized as grave infringe
ment of the constitution the recent APP
pointment by the President of Senators
and Representatives as delegates to
foreign countries.
A motion by Mr.. Hoar to refer the
matter to the committee on privileges
and elections fell to the ground in con-
sequence of Mr.. Cullom's Withdrawing
his request to be excused,
The Senate then proceeded to execu-
tive business.