Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-02-25
CONCLUDED TO ADMIT COKE
ACTION OF THE STATE SENATE IN TIE:
CASE YESTERDAY
After lseinG Thoroughly Discussed tho ltesO
tuition to DisqusiiEy Mr.. Coke is be-
feated and the senator from
Luzerne Takes the
Oath nf NN4co

! fcated and the senator from
Luzerne Takes the
Oath of ONCE.
In the state Senate yesterday Mr.. Hal
(Dem.) claimed that the consideration O
the resolution for the appointment of :
committee to inquire into the elimihlit,
of Mr.. Coke (Dem.) senator elect from
the Twenty first district was question o
high privilege, and the chair sustained
the position.
Mr.. Davies (Rep.) said no answer hat
been made to the strong precedent estab.
iiShed III the Coliian case in 1915, that tb,
Senate had no jurisdiction. That decision
covered the question now at issue. lii
would accordingly vote against the resolu
tion.
MIR. Herr (Rep.) thought the proposed
inquiry was strictly in order. and said the
precedent of 1875 had no binding effect Oh
this Senate. He referred to a decision OF
the supreme court to the effect that it was
not necessary to convict man by trial in
order to visit the pains and penalties of the
constitution upon him. But he thought If
was neither wise nor prudent. neither Just
nor Judicious, to create the committee:
The resolution ought not to pass. Under
1t there is no power to send foc persons and
papers. which renders it nusatOry.
MIR. Norris (Rep.) moved that the vote
! by which the amendment to .'send forper-
sons and papers was stricken out be re-
considered, to meet the objection of the
senator from Dauphin.
Mr.. Everhart (Rep.) combattei tine ar
gument that the resolution as amended
did not provide for proper inquiry, and
again put himself on record against =
rowing commission.
Mr.. Norris thought it was due to the in
tegrity of the Senate that the investira
ton should go ON. He contended that
MIR. Coke had not only elected himself to
the Senate by improper means. but the
Whole Democratic county ticket And,
perhaps, lie would not be here but for the
lavish use of money.
Mr.. Cooper (Rep. )tllousht the people of
LuZcrnc county were higher powe? in
this case than the Senate. They had CIV
en- Mr.. Coke 4 large majority and their
will should be respected. He WAS not the
keeper OF the gentleman $ conscience and
he has, enough to do to take car, of his
own.
Mr.. Greer (Rep) claimed that if Mr..
Coke WAS disqualified from takin" his
seat on the 4th OF January his guilt was
not removed by Il subsequent election.
Mr.. Sill (Rcp.) called attention to the
fact that no petitions had been presented
against the admission of MIR. Coke, to show
that there was no justification for the pro-
posed inquiry. The senator paid 4 high
tribute to the worth of Mr.. Coke, stating
that he had made the region which he
represented blossom as the rose.
Mr.. Newmycr (Rep.) said it was un-
necessary to disclaiiH partisan bias in the !
consideration OF the case, as all the gen |
t:eman s defenders and champions were !
Republicans. He thought it in bad taste !!
on the part OF the senator from Erie to |
bring into the discussion his personal
character. That Luzerne county is not |
represented is due to the action of Mr.. |
Coke himself. He was favorable to the
resolution.
MIR: Mcknight { Rep. ! said that Mr..
COxe's statement certiiies to his corrup-
ton.
Mr.. Schnatterly (Dem.) differed from
his Democratic colleagues, who had de- |
MED the jurisdiction OF the Senate to in
vestigate the case, but he did not think
Mr.. Coke had made any admission that
would subject him to conviction in any
court of the state. Some of the Things
mentioned in his statement as violation OF
5he law he (Mr. Schnatterly) did not so
regard.
MIR. Lantz (Rep.) could see nothing in
Mr. Coxe's statement of criminal M
:ure. lie did not believe in investigation
and the expenditure of money unless there
we're good grounds. The conscience OF
he gentleman should settle the matter.
MIR. Newell (Rep.) said that as the con
tituents Of MIR Coke had declared by their
'otes that he was 4 proper man the Senate
hOuld admit him.
MIR. Jones (Rep.) said that he did not :
'elieve that Mr.. Coke had violated the
aw in single instance. When he learned !
hat he could not take the oath he was
orry that his conscience was so tender, I
mt exclaimed to himself: "Thank the '
ord; there is an honest man." He still i
elieved him to be upright Let him +
hat is without sin. cast the first stone.'' /
Mr.. Kaufman (Rep.) thought the great g
'ealth OF MIR. Coke should have 10 effect t
preventing an investigation. t
MIR. Nelson (Dem.) read few scripture o
erses to show that some people find fault Il
others while they forget heir own +
lOrtcomings. 1
MIR. Davies Rep.) said there could be no It
'iense OF MIR. C0xe's course as stated in 4
IS statement, but We would vote against u
e resolution because the Senate had no II
risdictiOn i'm the case. a
MIR. Lee Rep.) closed the discussion, tt
Ting number of supreme court decis- m
rs to show that there could be no guilt Z
law without conviction. az
Mr.. NOrris's motion to reconsider WAS D.
t agreed to, and the resolution wa; lie Ii,
,ted. to
MIR. Coke was then sworn in. W