STANDING ORDERS NOT EMBRACED IN THE RULES, AND RESOLUTIONS AND SUCH PARTS OF LAWS AS AFFECT

THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE

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STANDING ORDERS NOT, EMBRACED IN THE RULES, AND RESOLUTIONS AND SUCH PARTS OF LAWS AS AFFECT THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE.

EXPIRATION OF THE LAST SESSION OF A CONGRESS.

On the 3d of March, 1851, the Senate being in session at 12 o'clock midnight, Mr. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, Mr. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, Mr. James M. Mason, of Virginia, as well as other Senators, expressed the belief that the term of the Congress had expired and that, inasmuch as, in their opinion, their terms had ended, they had no further right to participate in the proceedings. Some of the Senators thus holding refused to vote when roll calls were ordered. A long and interesting discussion followed on the question as to the exact time when the session of a Congress terminates. The debate was brought to an end by the consideration by unanimous consent of the following resolution offered by Mr. David L. Yulee, of Florida, which was adopted: Resolved, That, in the opinion of the Senate, the present Congress does not expire by constitutional limitation until meridian of the 4th of March. [S. Jour., 261, 31-2, Mar, 3, 1851.

LENGTH OF SERVICE AND AGE OF SENATE PAGES.

Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Sergeant-atArms to classify the pages of the Senate so that at the close of the present and each succeeding Congress one-half the number shall be removed; and in no case shall a page be

appointed younger than 12 years, or remain in office after the age of 16 years, or for a longer time than two Congresses, or four years.

[S. Jour., 514, 33–1, July 17, 1854; S. Jour. 26, 41-3, Dec. 6, 1870.

SPECIAL DEPUTIES.

Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate is authorized and empowered from time to time to appoint such special deputies as he may think necessary to serve process or perform other duties devolved upon the Sergeantat-Arms by law or the rules or orders of the Senate, or which may hereafter be devolved upon him, and in such case they shall be officers of the Senate; and any act done or return made by the deputies so appointed shall have like effect and be of the same validity as if performed or made by the Sergeant-at-Arms in person.

[S. Jour. 47, 51-1, Dec. 17, 1889.

TELEGRAPH OPERATOR.

Ordered, That the Presiding Officer of the Senate be authorized to appoint the operator for the Senate Wing of the Capitol provided for in the act in relation to lines of telegraph connecting the Capitol with the various Departments of the Government.

[S. Jour., 208, 43-1, Feb. 3, 1874.

READING OF WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS.

Ordered, That, unless otherwise directed, on the twentysecond day of February in each year, or if that day shall be on Sunday, then on the day following, immediately after the reading of the Journal, Washington's Farewell Address shall be read to the Senate by a Senator to be designated for the purpose by the presiding officer; and that thereafter the Senate will proceed with its ordinary business.

[S. Jour., 103, 56-2, Jan. 24, 1901