I have the honour to propose the re-election of Senator Douglas as Vice-Chairman. I do not propose to make anything in the way of a long speech. I do not suppose it is necessary to do so, as Senator Douglas has been our Vice-Chairman. For the information of new Senators I might say that in proposing Senator Douglas I am proposing a man whose work in the position I have watched with great interest. He was a member of the Standing Committee and presided over the Committee on Standing Orders, and I can say with perfect truth that no one could have worked with greater diligence than Senator Douglas. I had no idea that he was such a good business man. I can recommend him to the Seanad as the most diligent business man that I have met for a long time. He has shown these qualities during the past three years and, if re-elected, I am sure he will show them in the coming three years.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN.
I have much pleasure in seconding the motion. I commend him as being the right man and the man in my view best fitted for the position that he has occupied with distinction to himself and with advantage to the Seanad for the past three years. I earnestly appeal to Senators not to set up in this House a religious test for any position in its gift but to go on the merits of the candidate. It is on the merits of the candidate only that I recommend the re-election of Senator Douglas.
I propose the election of Senator Bennett. Senator MacKean has already told the Senate about Senator Bennett's qualities, so that it is unnecessary for me to go over the ground again. I endorse everything that Senator MacKean said. I consider that the Chairs in this House should go round and that they should not be the monopoly of any man or party. For that reason I think we should put Senator Bennett into the position of Vice-Chairman.
I second the motion.
The Roll having been called, the voting was as follows:—
For SENATOR DOUGLAS.
|
John Bagwell.William Barrington.Rt. Hon. Henry Burgess.Countess of Desart.J. C. Dowdall.Sir Nugent Everard.James Goodbody.Earl of Granard.Mrs. Stopford Green.Sir John Griffith.Henry Seymour Guinness.Benjamin Haughton.Marquess of Headfort. |
Major-General Hickie.Arthur Jackson.Andrew Jameson.Sir John Keane.Cornelius Kennedy.Earl of Kerry.Francis MacGuinness.John MacLoughlin.Sir Bryan Mahon.Earl of Mayo.James Moran.William Butler Yeats. |
For SENATOR BENNETT.
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Henry L. Barniville.Sir Edward Bellingham.Thomas Westropp Bennett.Mrs. Costello.John C. Counihan.James Dillon.Michael Duffy.Sir Thomas Esmonde.Michael Fanning.Thomas Farren.Martin Fitzgerald.Thomas Foran.Oliver St. John Gogarty. |
Patrick W. Kenny.Thomas Linehan.James MacKean.William J. Molloy.Colonel Maurice Moore.Joseph O'Connor.John T. O'Farrell.Michael F. O'Hanlon.Stephen O'Mara.Bernard O'Rourke.William O'Sullivan.Mrs. Wyse-Power.Thomas Toal. |
Senator Douglas did not vote.
CATHAOIRLEACH
My duty is to declare Senator Bennett elected Vice-Chairman.
On a point of order, is a Senator's vote in his own favour to be counted? I do not wish to contest the election, as I prefer not to occupy the position, but I think it is best that the question should be decided. Acting on your decision. I think it would be scarcely correct to vote.
On a point of order, it has been accepted.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I think is a question entirely of good taste on the part of the Senator himself. He is the best judge of that. Certainly I cannot hold that Senator Bennett is not entitled to vote for himself.
I beg to return thanks to those Senators who supported me. I cannot hold out any hope that I will act better than my predecessor. I must say that I believe that he was excellent. I am sure I will have the loyal support of those who supported me on the few occasions that I may happen to be in the Chair. In the Seanad it has been the rule to help and I am sure that will be the rule in the future also.