Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-01-19
AN historic SCENE.
ECKLEY B. COKE REFUSES TO
QUALIFY AS A STATE
SENATOR.
ONE or THE GREATEST ACTS OF ooNscI-
ENTIoUs PRoMPT1EGs ON REcoRD-THE
SENSATION THE ACTION PRODUCED
WHAT MAY BE DONE UNDER AU-
THoEITY OF LAVA GREAT MAN
RISING TO A GREAT HEIGHT
OF INTEGRITY.
AN HISTORIC SCENE.
tue HONEST MAN OF DRIFroN.


HARRIsBURG, Jan. Both House
of the Legislature met yesterday a
noon for the first time under the Law
providing for biennial sessions.
Mr. Eckley B, Coke, of Luzernc
created an historic scene in the Sen
ate, When Judge Pearson was swear
ing in the Senators.elect Mr.. Cox
kept in the background until they 60
through, and then said he could no
conscientiously take the oath. Thi
produced a sensation, and Mr.. Cox
asked permission TO file his reasons un
der q strict construction of the law
OF course it was granted, Everybody
was anxious to hear, and a more as
tonished body could not be imagined
than that which listened while Mr.
Coke read the following statement.
HARRIsBuRG, January 4, 1881,
10 Ny Constituents
deem it my duty to state to yor
simply and clearly the reasons which
force me to refuse to take the oatf
described by the Constitution as {
necessary prerequisite to entering upor
my duties as Senator, knowing, as
do, that this refusal iorfeits my seat
The required oath is:
I do sOlennly swear Tor affirm that will sup
port, obey and defend the Constitution Of tht
United States, and the Constitution of this Com.
monWealth. and that | will discharge the dute,
Of my office with fidelity that have not paid oi
contributed, or promised to pay or contribute
either directly or indirectly, any money or othel
valuable thing, to procure my nomination Of
election Tor appointment), except for necessary
and proper expenses etprsssly authorized By lac
that haye not knowingly violated any election
law Of this Com mmonwealth, or procured Il to b,
done by others in my behalfj that will not
knowingly receive, directly or indirectly, any
moneys or other valuable thing for the perform
ance or non performance Of any act or duty per
tanning to my Office, other than the compensation
allowed by law.
The words to which object are
"erpressly authorized by id,o'
A law entitled "An Act to define
the necessary and proper expenses in
cident TO the nomination and election
ofSenators, Representatives, State, Ju,
dicial, Municipal and County Officers,
and to authorize the pay ment thereof
was passed in 1874, and in ii the only
necessary expenses are defined to be-
"First. For printing and travelling
expenses.
Second. For dissemination of infor.
nation to the public
Third. For political meetings, dem.
onstrations and conventions.
The foregoing expenses may be in.
Cured either in person or through
other individuals or committees of or.
ganizatons duly constituted for the
purpose, but nothing contained in this
act shall be so construed as to author.
ize the payment Of money or other
valuable thing for the vote or innu,
enco OF any elector
| did not lay out one dollar to pro.
cure my nomination. On the contrary,
| was anxious not to be nominated
but after receiving the nomination
spent money willingly and literally,
not only for my own election, but also
for that Of the whole ticket. In fact,
| felt much more interested in the sue.
cess of other Democratic candidates
than in my own.
The expenditures may be classed
under the following heads
A. Political assessments and contri.
buttons this included my assessments
by the County Committees of Luzerne
and Lackawanna, and contributions to
several Legislative District Commit.
tees. A large PORTION of this money
know was expended for the payment
of taxes and clerk hire. Prothonota.
ry's fees, and other expenses necessary
to procure the naturalization of large
number of persons, as in consequence
Of the existence of the Greenback.
Labor.Reiorm party no Democratic
naturalizations had taken place for
several years. Neither of these are
expenses expressly authorised by lao.
b. Printing, advertising, newspaper
articles, getting up and distributing
the latter including postage.
c. Political meetings and demon.
strations, including the travelling ex.
penses of large number of men and
clubs, who were carried by railroads
to meetings in all parts of Luzerne
county. For B and c, | spent very
large amount Of money, but as both
are "erpressly authorized By ldp," |
shall refer to them no farther.
ID. A large number of men, most of
whom were employees of Coke Bros. &
Co, were sent to nearly every part Of
my district for the purpose of present.
ing my claims to the workingmen, and
the objections that were made
10 me that | was coal operator, and
that consequently no porking man
should vote for me. These men were
anxious for my election, and glad to
DO the work, but /, OF course, paid
hem for the time they lost at their
work, and for their expenses. This
'ost large amount Of money, but is
authorized by lao under the
iead of dissemination Of Information.
Il. ! paid personally small amount
or tax receipts this is not expressly
lufhorised BY lao.
+. As election day approached, I DO.