New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-19
rHE SENATORIAL CONTESTS.
COMING CAUCUS BY THE DEMOCRATS TO DECIDE
WHAT To DO ABOUT THEM KELLOGGs AND
sPOFFORD'S ARGUMENTS.

WHAT To DO ABOUT THEM - kELLOGGs AND
sPoFFoRD'S ARGUMENTS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
WAsHINGrON, Nov. 15.-The Democratic Senators
will hold caucus tomorrow % consider the ques-
ton Of standing together and trying to force action
in the senate on the pending contested elections
cases and also upon nominations, which are still held
in committees and which, in their opinion, should
be promptly reported. 4 number of prominent
Democrats Of the Senate declare that they are going
into this caucus to advocate proposition TO make
direct and vigorous fight in executive session III
favor Of q resolution dischargug all committees
from the consideration of nominations in the open
Senate TO bring the contest for seats directly before
that body. Those who viii urge this course IN eau
Gus. say they have reason to believe that several
Republicans will vote with them, quite enough to
carry the proposition. 1t is by no means GER
tain that ali the Democrats VIII sustan the
plan as it is in conflict with the customs and
traditions OF the Senate in the treatment Of
It's committees. If the proposed resolution
should pass. the result it II believed would be the
prompt confirmation OF nearly all pending nomna-
tions unless the Republicans should stand sohdy
together and refuse to vote for resolutions intro
duced by Democrats, on the ground that the COM
mlrtees should BE- the judges Of the amount OF in-
vesligation required in all cases referred TO them
The Democrats have alc ady substantially agreed 10
support nominations without asking the President
III any case why he suspended those officers whose
place, De has filed.
The brief, If Governor Kellogg and Judge Spot
ford, Of louisiana covering the grounds upon which
they base their respective claims 10 o seat IN the
Senate. viii be submitted tomorrow to the sui
Committee on Privileges aud Elections, Messrs.
Wadlcich and MeTimon. Governor Kellogg's
statement in opening deres the Constitutional right
of the Senate 20 investigate the circumstances
of tie election Of a duly qualified Sen
ator and il mainly devoted % iIe recl-
tai If alleged violence and Intimidation I'D
certain districts by which tle Democrats were re-
turned as cleo ed, instead Of Repunhcaus VINO "ouId
have been chosen Dr. Al honest NoiH. NDp.pN1 .-
tracts from the reports ol tie howe anu Nl-I--ii.
committees given; and the greater portion Oh Ie
document /. occupied with an cNdeaFCr(o prove t't
a legal election in tile five huii-0'1-d Parishes
would have given che Hepuulica.s FL ,Md-
i,rit,- Governor Kellogg saws that tine Packard
government was lawfully elected ard overthroWn
hv criminal revolution accompanied by ORGANIZED
iu@urracli0n and fragrant violence. Inc transfer ol
authority from Packard Go Nichols, was accom-,
piShoI. he alleged, by improper corrupt ana ieedl
means. though De maintain, that lis own election /
I'D the Senate los qualified Legislature, was tully
II asserts further that an the acts of the Returning
Board were fully justified ol tAe facts.
Judge Spolord- answer alleged That the lackard
Legislature which elected Governor Kellogg. was
never a legally organized body, and that accepting
kclloggs own figures. 10 mad no quorum on the day
when Dee claims To nave been chosen. lie also re- /
views the attempts To answer the charge OF fraud III
tae five disputed parishes asserting That no
proof of an examination Of the facts required
by the laws OF the state had ever been made and
in the matter Of the Vernon Parish returns he
charges criminal mal feasance the part Of the re-
turning officials. Both documents discuss principal
lv the facts Of the election of 1916 and outline
wide field of investigation. If all tine questions are
f. llowed up. 30 action on the case lis expected ii
the present session.