Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-17
some SENATORIAL HISTORY
A Vacancy Has Occurred in the Vice
Presidents Chair Three Times
in the Past 70 Years.
FRYE LIKELY TO SUCCEED Mr.. HOBART
Thomas f. Bayard Succeeded Mr. Ar
thur rs Presiding Omcer OF the Senate
On the Death OF Vice President Hen
bricks, John Sherman Presided.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE announce
ment that Vice President Hobart will
not return to his official duties in
Washington assures vacancy in the
presiding chair OF the senate for the
third time in about IS years The
two other instances were the promo
ton of Chester A Arthur to the presi-
dency, through the death of Gen.
James A. Garfield, and the death of
Vice President Hendricks, of Indiana,
during President Cleveland's first term
The all important senatorial rules, after
having gone through quite an evolu-
ton on this point, make it very clear
what is to be done on the opening day
of the session in December.
Senator William P. Frye, of Maine,
who has for some years been president
pro tempore, will call the senate to
order and, without further election,
will be entitled to retain the office for
the remainder of President McKinley's
administration unless the senate votes
otherwise. In view of the circum-
stances, Senator Frye may tender the
office back to the senate, that he may
have a reelection. There is little
doubt that Senator Frye may be chosen.
His title will be president pro tempore
u LhC SChdICs hOI VI SAAC SCA-
ate, which only vice president can
enjoy. Nevertheless, he will receive
the same compensation as is paid to a
vice -president-SS,O 900. or IS, 900 more
than his salary as United States SEN
ator.
The choice of a president pro tempore
was put to vote, following the promo
ton of Vice President Arthur, the first
day of the special session-October TO-
1SS1-and resulted in the selection of
Senator Thomas f. Bayard, of Della
ware. The senate was then about
evenly divided, and Vice President
Arthur had frequently been casting
the deciding vote between the two par
ties. In the few days that followed
the republicans secured the co-opera-
ton of Senator Malone, of Virginia,
and on October Is Senator Logan, of
Illinois, presented the name of Senator
David Davis, of the same state, to be
president pro tempore. Senator Davis
was elected with the aid of Senator
Mahone's vote and Senator Bayard was
displaced.
On the death of Vice President Hen
bricks Senator John Sherman was cho-
sen president pro tempore of the senate.
He continued in office till February %,
1887, when he resigned. The republic
ans then elected Senator Ingalls,, of
Kansas, to the honors- He served dur
ing the remainder of President Cleve-
lands administration.
1t Is Valuable Island.
Washington, Nov. 14.-Tuluila, the
Samoan island which falls to the
United States in the recent arrange
ment completed between Germany and
England, subject to ratification by the
United States government, becomes an
extremely valuable addition to the
possessions of the United States in the
Pacific. With but a small area and
population, which, according to the
treasury bureau of statistics, are but
"a square miles and 1000 population, it
possesses the most valuable island har-
Dor in the South Pacific, and perhaps
in the entire Pacific ocean.
Decrease in Post ONCE Robberiss.
Washington, Nov. 14-There has
been decrease in the number of post
offices robbed and mail trains and
stages held up during the past year as
compared with the previous year. In
1899 the number of post offices robbed
was 1,4S1; the number of mail trains
and stages robbed, 81. During the pre-
vious year 1,547 post offices were robbed
and 40 mail trains and stages held up.
The number of post offices burned dur
ing the last year, however, has been
greater than during the previous year.
The record for 1899 was sos, and for
1898 544. Four hundred and eighty
eight pouches were stolen last year,
against 407 the year previous