The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-01-28
NE:RLAND IS
 PRESIDENT
 OF SENATE
Republicans lake Over When Walker With-
 draws This Morning

Andrew NeI.anc, veteran Repub- lican legislator from the Fourth Division, today was seated as the permanent resident of the Senate of the Eighteenth Alaska Legisla- tture.
 i Nerland was escorted to the chair I by two Third Division Senators, previous President Edward D. Cof- l fey and Gunnard M Engebreth, after Ketchikan Senator Norman R. Walker Nerland's rival for the presidency had received unanimous | consent to withdraw his notice of reconsideration of yesterdays vote which elected Nerland. Walkers withdrawal in favor of Nerland concluded an excoriation, by the Ketchlkan senator. of Sena- tors Victor c. Rivers and Frank Peratroyich. purported Democrats whose action yesterday in refusing to vote on the presidency resulted in choice of a president from the minority party Nerland was select ed by a six to five majority of the Il votes cast, with Rivers and Peratroyich's abstaining having the effect oi votes cast against the Democratic nominee, Walker
 Day Of Infamy l Walker loosed the deluge upon Peratrovich and Rivers by declaring yesterday "a day of infamy" to the 1 Democratic party, the party to which l have long subscribed. He explained that he had consented to nomination for the presidency after Democrats Leo Rogge and O. D. Cochran had declined to be put up for the post.
 After linking Rivers and Peratro- vich with the turncoat Benedict Arnold, Walker expressed a wish that Peratroyich's race not be judged by the Senator's action He IS mot typical" of his race, Walker declared.
 Stating, T recognize the deca- dence of the party to which l be- long" Walker continued: Not one true Democrat would accept elec- tion with the two votes which turn ed vesterday." Time will show he said that they are not members of the Democratic party. and, he said, I'm sure the Republicans don't want them.
 Rivers Rises Rivers was first to rise to Walk CTS derision. He agreed with Walk CT that the action of the body yesterday was probably for the best" Denying that his action had placed him outside the Democratic fold, Rivers offered that he had al- ways been a Democrat that he hoped he would always continue to be such" He concluded by con- graduating those who voted on the prevailing side on the wise action taken
 Tagging Walkers remarks i'm material" Peratrovich said. He is only one man who holds the opinion I am not a true represen- tative of my people"
 Following the remarks by Rivers and Peratrovich, Walker asked consent to withdraw his motion and that Nerland be seated.
 President Nerland briefly stated his thanks for the honor and his determination to do everything in his ability to conduct the Senate in an orderly manner.
 Secretary Selected
 The Senate then completed this mornings business with dispatch At the request of Senator Coffey Mrs. Jesta M Mitchell was. by un- animous consent, selected perman- ent Secretary. Senator Charles D. Jones, down on the floor again af- ter serving as President pro-tem, asked that Committee on Com mittees comprised of one member from each division. to be selected by the members of the respective divisions, be named. On objection by Rivers, a motion to that effect carried with only Rivers voting against it.
 A recess was then taken to per- init the divisions to caucus. The recess was later extended until ? o'clock this afternoon,