Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-02-23
THE OREGON STRUGGLE.
A Disgraceful Scene in the Senate-No
Senator Chosen.

SALEM, Ore, Feb. 81.
Since ii o'clock last night this city has
been the scene of the greatest turmoil ever
known in the history of the State. After the
joint convention adjourned without electing
a senator both Houses retired to their respec.
tive halls. concurrent resolution was
passed three days ago sdjourning the legisla-
ture Friday at midnight, at which tne the
allotted 40 days expired. There is no law
against holding session for more than 40
DAYS, bnt members cannot receive pay beyond
that period. The republicans being in ma
jori:y in both Houses and immediately upon
coming to order passed resolution, by viva
vcce vote, resembling the previous resolution
to ADJOURN. The democrats were greatly in
censed at this turn of affairs and a riotous
scene occurred in the Senate, where a demo-
cratic senator from Lynn made q rush for a
republican member from Multonomsh, reach
ing IN his hip pocket a. he advanced. The
| assai!ant was caught bv the sergeant-at arms.
Both Houses adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning. At caucus of the democrats,
which ended at > O'Clock this morning, il was
resolved that every man leave at A. NJ -,
thus preventing quorum, the presence of
two thirds of the members being requisite
| Both Houses were called to order at 10
O'Clock this morning, all democratic seats
being vacant, nearly every democrat left by
eirly morning train. In each House there
was more than halt the membership, but not
the two-thirds required by the State constitu-
tion for quorum for the transaction of leg
islative business. Both Houses took recess
until III 40. As viewed Dy the republicans
the legal status of the situation is clear. The
President of the Senate at u o'clock has but
to announce that the constitutional hour for
the joint convention having arrived the SEN
ate shall proceed to the half of the House,
when more than half the members being
present, as required bv the national law, bal
lotting may proceed in regular and legal
FORM There is, however, a strong opposit-
ion to this plan, though there is no question
as to the legal authority tor it,
LATER-The republicans met in Joint con-
vention with 81 members and the 69th ballot
was called. The vote was widely scattered,
the highest man receiving only three votes,
the contendng factions could not agree on a
compromise candidate at the conference held
just after the session. A recess was taken
until p. NJ.
! The failure of the lie gislature to elect a
u ), Senator continues the all absorbing
topic of conversation. The question as to
whether the governor can appoint is dis
cussed in all its ha.es. Sec, 10th of article
of the constitution of Oregon says that
when, during recess of the Legislature a
vacancy shall occur in any office the appoint
ment TO which is uested in the legislature,
the governor shall fill such vacancy BY ap-
pointment. Under this the republicans claim
that Senator may be appointed. II is con-
tended, on the other hand, by the democrats
that the regular term of the legislative as
sembly having expired without Senator be-
ing elected, no vacancy has occurred such as
the governor is able to fill There is scarce
y doubt that the governor will appoint, and
the Senate must decide whether the appointed
shall take his seat