Mr. EDMUNDS: It is the regular order now.

The PRESIDENT _pro tempore_: Certainly. The Chair thought the
senator from Missouri objected to its consideration.

Mr. VEST: No, sir.

The PRESIDENT _pro tempore_: The resolution is before the Senate
and open to debate.

Mr. VEST: I have had the honor for a few years to be a member of
the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, and my colleagues
on that committee will bear witness with me to the trouble and
annoyance which at every session have arisen in regard to giving
accommodations to the special committees. Two sessions ago there
was a conflict between the Senate and House in regard to
furnishing committee-rooms for three special committees, and it
is only upon the doctrine of _pedis possessio_ that the Senate
to-day holds three committee-rooms in the capitol, the House
still laying claim as a matter of law, through their Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, for the possession of these rooms.
At the special session, on account of the exigencies in regard to
rooms, we were compelled to take the retiring-room assigned near
the gallery to the ladies, and cut it into two rooms, to
accommodate select committees.

At this session we have created two special committees more, and
I should like to make the inquiry when and where this manufacture
of special committees is to cease? As soon as any subject becomes
one of comment in the newspapers, or, respectfully I say it, a
hobby with certain zealous partisans throughout the country,
application is made to the Senate of the United States and a
special committee is to be appointed. For this reason, and for
the simple reason that a stop must be had somewhere to the
raising of special committees, I oppose the proposition now
before the Senate.

But, Mr. President, I will be entirely ingenuous and give another
reason. This is simply a step toward the recognition of woman
suffrage, and I am opposed to it upon principle in its inception.
In my judgment it has nothing but mischief in it to the
institutions and to the society of this whole country. I do not
propose to enter into a discussion of that subject to-day, but it
will be proper for me to make this statement, and I make it
intending no reflection upon the zealous ladies w