IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, January 8, 1881-10 a m.The President pro tem commanded order, and thereupon-
Mr. Coffin offered a concurrent resolution providing for a joint assembling of the two Houses in the hall of the House at 2 o'clock p. m., this day, for the purpose of receiving the Governor's message, and after that to witness the opening and publishing of election returns of the votes cast for Governor and Lieutenant Governor last October; and providing for a Joint Committee to inform the Governor of the passage of this resolution.
It was adopted, and the President pro tem subsequently appointed as said Committee on the part of the Senate Messrs. Coffey and Shaffer.
On motion by Mr. Hefron, the Librarian was directed to furnish each Senator with a copy of the Revised Statutes of 1876,to be returned at the close of the session, or pay the cost price thereof.
The thirteenth vote for Principal Secretary of the Senate was then taken, resulting for C. W. Brouse, 18; O. M. Wilson, 23; J. H. Rice, 7.
Mr. Foster re-offered his resolution rejected yesterday, looking to the presentation of a candidate for Secretary of the Senate, by a Committee to be composed of three Democrats and three Republicans. He saw no reason why such a Committee could not in ten minutes unlock the lock of the Senate, and had been assured there were members on the other side willing to compromise.
Mr. Spann made an ineffectual motion-yeas,23; nays,25-to lay the resolution on the table.
The resolution was rejected-yeas, 25: nays, 25.
Between the fifteenth and sixteenth vote for Principle Secretary-
Mr. Menzies offered a resolution, which was rejected by yeas 18; nays,28; declaring Joel P. Heatwole of Elkhard County, elected to that position.
Mr. Wood nominated Mr.Heatwole just previous to the nineteenth vote, when he received 4 votes; Mr. Rice, 5 ; Mr.Brouse, 16, and Mr. Wilson, 2-.
On the twenty-first vote, Mr. Brouse received 25 votes, and Mr. Wilson 23 votes.
The President pro tem, thereupon, declared Mr. Charles W. Brouse, of Marion County, duly elected Principal Secretary of the Senate, he having received a majority of all the votes cast.
On motion by Mr. Menzies, the Senate proceeded to the election of Assistant Secretary of the Senate.
Mr. Brown nominated Mr. Robert B. Sears, of Vermillion County.
There being no further nominations, the roll was called, and the vote resulted: For Mr. Sears, 45 votes; for Charles F. Robbins, of Decatur County, 2 votes.
The President pro tem. declared Mr. Sears duly elected.
On motion of Mr. Langdon, the Senate proceeded to the election of a Doorkeeper.
The vote resulted: For Allen T. Monroe, of Floyd County, 36: scattering, 11.
The President pro tem declared Mr. Monroe elected.
Mr. Benz moved to reconsider the vote by which Charles W. Brouse was elected Principal Secretary of the Senate.
Mr. Brown made an ineffectual motion-yeas 23, nays 25-to lay this motion on the table.
The question recurring on the motion to reconsider-
Mr. Brown raised the point of order that it was not competent to move to reconsider a vote cast by which an official was elected. The Constitution requires the Senate to choose its officers. Mr. Brouse has been chosen Principal Secretary, and he has some interest in this matter now, and the only way he can be dispossessed is by expulsion.
Mr. Langdon regarded it as a remarkable position for any Senator to take that in the absence of any rules, other than general parliamentary law, a deliberative body can not reconsider its previous action, and could not believe the Chair would entertain that view.
Mr. Bell contended that the point of order was well taken. The election was no an action of the Senate in any sense that may be reconsidered. He could not understand how this claim of the right to reconsider can attach to a proposition like this.
Mr. Chapman thought the point of order not well taken. The vote was upon a propositon as to who should fill the office of Principal Secretary of the Senate. The Senate has taken many votes, page: 14[View Page 14] and in different forms, as to how that proposition should be solved.
Mr. Brown, interrupting, withdrew his point of order.
The motion to reconsider was rejected--yeas, 22; nays, 26
On motion, the Principal Secretary, the Assistant Secretary and Doorkeeper were severally sworn into office by the President pro tem.
Mr. Foster offered a resolution, which was adopted, informing the House of Representatives of the organization of the Senate.
And then came a recess till 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Mr. Chapman, from the Joint Committee, appointed to make arrangement for the inaugural ceremonies next Monday, reported the following order of exercises: The Senate and House will assemble in their respective chambers at 1:30 o'clock p. m., and will proceed to English's Opera House in a body, proceeded by Beissenherz's hand. The Joint Convention will be called to order by the President pro tem. of the Senate at 2 o'clock p. m. Music.t Prayer by Rey. Dr. Vernon. Music. Administration of the oath of office to the Governor and Lieutenant-Goyernor elect, by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Inaugural address by Governor Albert G. Porter. Address by Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Hanna. Music. Benediction.
The report was concurred in.
On motion, it was ordered that when the Senate adjourn it adjourns till 1:30 o'clock on Monday afternoon.
A Committee from the House of Representatives appearing at the Bar of the Senate for the purpose of escorting the Senate o the hall of the House, to hear the Governors message, and witness the canvass of votes cast for Governor and for Lieutenant Governor at the last October election.
On motion by Mr. Bell, Senators proceeded in a body to perform that duty.
