One Senator only was present from Rhode Island, one
only from Nevada, and the two newly elected Senators from
New York had not been admitted to their seats. A motion of
Mr. Edmunds that the oath prescribed by law be administered
to the Senators from New York was laid on the table. On that
vote the Democrats had a majority of two, Mr. Davis voting
with the Republicans. On a resolution that Thomas F. Bayard,
a Senator from Delaware, be chosen President pro tempore,
Mr. Edmunds moved an amendment by striking it all out and
inserting a resolution that the oath of office be administered
to Mr. Miller and Mr. Lapham of New York, and Mr. Aldrich
of Rhode Island, by Mr. Henry B. Anthony the senior Senator
of the Senate. That resolution was lost by a vote of thirty-
four to thirty-three, Mr. Davis voting with the Republicans.
Mr. Edmunds then moved to add to the resolution declaring
Mr. Bayard President pro tempore, the words "for this day."
That was lost by one vote, Mr. Davis voting with the Republicans.
After several other unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Bayard was
chosen President pro tempore, the resolution being carried
by a majority of two votes, Mr.
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