THE RECENT DOORKEEPER
Mr. HOWARD offered a resolution that Vincent P. Kirk, late Doorkeeper of the Senate, be and is hereby exonerated from all charges of unofficial conduct while in the service of the Senate, which with the preamble, was read for information.
Mr. DUNCAN objected to its introduction.
On motion by Mr. HOWARD-yeas, 26; nays, 15-the rules were suspended for its consideration.
Mr. VAN VORHIS moved to strike out the preamble.
This motion was agreed to.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. HOWARD had a resolution read for information, declaring that
whereas the Secretary of the Senate and Doorkeeper of the Senate have failed to do their duty, and have showed great inefficiency therein; therefore.
Resolved, That said offices be declared vacant and that Cyrus T. Nixon be declared Secretary, and Vincent P. Kirk declared Doorkeeper of the Senate.
He moved that the rules be suspended that the resolution may be considered now.
The motion was agreed to by yeas, 25; nays, 22.
Mr. HOWARD moved the adoption of the resolution and demanded the previous question.
Mr. BROWN made an ineffectual motion-yeas, 22; nays 25-to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. WILLARD moved to adjourn.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR decided the motion out of order.
Mr. WILLARD appealed from this decision before the demand for the previous question is seconded-signed by himself and Mr. May.
page: 244[View Page 244]On motion by Mr. YANCEY-yeas, 25; nays,22-the appeal was laid on the table.
The previous question was seconded by yeas, 25; nays, 22, and he main question was ordered by yeas, 25; nays, 23.
Mr. BELL demanded a division of the question.
The first part of the resolution declaring the office of Secretary of the Senate vacant was agreed to by yeas, 25; nays, 23.
The Lieutenant Governor in announcing the vote directed the Assistant Secretary to call the roll on the second division, declaring the office of Doorkeeper vacant.
This division of the question was agreed to by yeas, 25; nays, 23.
The next division of the resolution, that Cyrus T. Nixon be and is hereby declared Secretary of the Senate, was agreed to by yeas, 25; and nays, 23, as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Adkison, Bischowski, Bundy, Campbell, Davidson, Fleming, Foulke, Graham, Henry, Hill, Howard, Keiser, Lockridge, Lindley, Macartney, Marvin, Overstreet, Ristine, Sayre, Smith of Delaware, Spann, Van Vorhis, White, Yancey, Youche-25.
Nays-Messrs. Bell, Benz, Brown, Compton, Duncan, Ernest, Faulkner, Fletcher, Hilligass, Hoover, Hutchinson, Johnston, Johnson, Magee, May, McClure, McCulloch, McIntosh, Null, Richardson, Smith of Jay, Voyles and Willard-23.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR declared Mr. Nixon elected as Principal Secretary of the Senate.
Mr. Nixon took the oath of office as Principal Secretary of the Senate at the hands of Hon. Daniel Waite Howe, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court.
The last clause of the resolution that Vincent Kirk be declared Doorkeeper was agreed to by yeas, 25; nays, 23, the roll being called by Principal Clerk Nixon.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR declared Vincent Kirk elected Doorkeeper of the Senate and called Mr. Kirk to stand at the Bar of the Senate and be sworn into office.
Mr. BELL raised the point of order that Mr. Kirk had been sworn once.
The Lieutenant Governor: "And he has been swearing ever since." [Laughter]
Mr. Kirk received the oath of office at the hands of Judge Howe.
The Senate took a recess till 2 o'clock.
