A quorum being present, Vice-President Stephens announced that the next business in order would be the election of a presiding officer. (This election is for the interregnum, until the inauguration of the Permanent Executive.)
Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, was nominated for President pro tem, by Mr. Dortch, of North Carolina, and was unanimously elected, the vote being taken viva voce. He was conducted to the chair by a committee of three — Messrs. Hill, Johnson and Simms.
Mr. Hunter, on taking the chair, said: Senators, allow me to return you my thanks for the high honour you have done me in calling me to this position, and to say the best return I can make for it is to endeavour, to the utmost of my ability, to discharge its duties with energy and impartiality.
Election of Secretary of the Senate
On motion of Mr. Orr, of South Carolina, the Senate proceeded to ballot for a Secretary.
Mr. Sparrow, of Louisiana, nominated Charles Downdes, of Louisiana.
Mr. Clark, of Missouri, nominated Mr. Andrew H. Dawson, of Alabama.
Mr. Oldham, of Texas, nominated Mr. Johnson H. Cooper, of Georgia.
Mr. Preston, of Virginia, nominated Mr. Eubank, of Virginia.
Mr. Barnwell, of South Carolina, nominated Mr. James H. Nash, of South Carolina.
first ballot
The first ballot resulted as follows:
For Mr. Dawson — Messrs. Baker, Clark, Hill, Johnson, Maxwell, Simms— 6.
For Mr. Hooper — Messrs. Davis, Dortch, Oldham, Peyton — 4.
For Mr. Nash — Messrs. Barnwell, Haynes, Henry, Orr — 4.
For Mr. Downdes — Messrs. Mitchell, Sparrow — 2.
For Mr. Eubank — Messrs. Brown, Preston — 2.
For Mr. Montague — Mr. Hunter — 1.
