Evening star., 1937-10-02
Priceless Manuscripts
Continued From Page BID

Continued From Page BID
Time went on and still the absent
Senator's did not put in an appearance.
From day to day those present we're
forced to adjourn, and on March 18th
they decided to make another plea.
Accordingly a second letter was for
warded from New York
Sir" it read. I'VE addressed letter
TO you the l1th instant, since which
no Senator has arrived. The House
Of Representatives will probably be
formed in two or three days. Your
presence is indispensably necessary.
We again therefore earnestly request
your immediate attendance, and are
confident you will not suffer our. and
the public anxious expectations TO be
disappointed"
That plea brought them. They be-
gan to straggle in. The first to
arrive in answer to the letter was
William Paterson, who. the Journal
records, appeared and took his seat
on March 10Th. BaSsett. from Della
ware, Elmer from New Jersey, and
finally Richard Henry Lee turned up.
and with Lees appearance there was
a quorum for the conduct Of business
The FIRST step taken by the new Con-
gress on April 6. 1889. was to elect
John Langdon of New Hampshire as
President Pro Tempore OF the Senate
In I1o Nf nm ho oil
toral votes in the presence OF both
Houses.
THE Journal records with fascinating
familiarity the sending of the
message to the House, announcing
the Senate was ready. and then, the
counting OF votes. Slxty-nine electoral
votes appeared for George Washington
as President and "a for John Adams.
80 that Washington was proclaimed
President and Adams Vice President
of the new Government.
Perhaps one OF the most enthralling
descriptions in the ancient journal is
the passage that describes the intro
duction of John Adams, as Vice
President. to the Senate. In exouisitely
fine handwriting the events are trans
cribed. The Vice President, We read,
was met by Mr.. Langdon as President
pro tempore Of the Senate and
introduced to the chair and con-
graduated upon his appointment
When Mr.. Adams had been conducted
to the chair he addressed the Senate
with these opening words:
Invited to this respectable situation
by the suffrages of our fellow citizens,
according to the Constitution. 1 have
thought it my duty cheerfully and
readily to accept it," From this point
on the speech is wonderful example
of fluent, perfect prose. and is couched
in phrases that delight the eye and
must, in those days. have charmed the
ears of all who listened. Mentioning
the new Government, Vice President
Adams stated.
1T is with satisfa ction that I
congratulate the people of America on
the formation OF National Constitu-
ton, and the fair prospect of a con-
sistent administration of a Govern
ment Of laws. On the acquisition of
House of Representative chosen by
themselves; of Senate thus COM
posed by their own State Legislatures;
and on the prospect of an executive
authority, in the hands OF one whose
portrait 1 shall not presume to draw. |
Were / blessed with power to do |
justice to his character. it would be |
impossible to increase the confidence |
or affection Of his country, or make |
the finallest addition to his glory
There then follows a tribute TO |
Washington. and the first Vice Presi- |
dent of the United States ended with !
these words:
"A trust of the greatest magnitude !
Is committed to this Legisla ture-and |
the eyes Of the world are upon YOU.
Your country expects from the results |
OF your deliberations, in concurrence
with the other branches of Govern
ment, consideration abroad. and con-
tentment at home--prosperity order.
justice. peace and liberty. And NAV |
ON <AiAHieiiby q PlONlucIlCe ASSIST YOU
to answer their just expectations"
TWO, pages In this charming old
journal that are OF tremendous
value because of their human interest.
are those allotted to a tabulation of
the expenses incurred by this session
Of Congress. This tabulation covered
the salaries of the legislators, and their
travelling expenses. The Senators were
only paid for those days they were in |
attendance, and the entire session from
March 4, 1889, 10 September 29. 1889,
cost the Government sxactly .$25, 1897.
This amount is approved at the end OF
the page by the personal signature OF I
Sam Otis. as the first Secretary of the +
United States Senate. And is certified
to by -. Adams, Vice President of
the Senate"
To follow through the record Of one
Senator, let as consider the case Of