The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-11
Belief that the Seating Of the Contesting Mem
bers Was Legal and that the Democrats
Have Been Caught in Their Own Trap.
Finding of the House Committee in the
Warder-Stealey Investigation.
Probability that Senator Harrison's Dakota
Bill Will Be Adversely Reported in the
Householder Washington News.
oHIo,s LAUNDERING DEMOCRATS.

OHIO'S BLUNDERING DEMOCRATS.
Washington Politicians Think They Have
Been Beaten at Their Own Game.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, May 10.-There has been but
one subject of general comment in congressional
and political circles here for the past forty eight
hours, and that is the action Of the Republican
minority of the Ohio State Senate in ousting
four Democratic Senators from Cincinnati and
inducing four Republicans who had proven by
contest their election to the seats. The legality
of the proceeding the wisdom of the Democratic
majority in running out of the State to defeat
quorum and avoid arrest, the propositions to es-
tablish an independent and Democrat Senate,
and to go into court to test the validity of the
action Of the Republicans in the session. were all
talked Of by all men, in all parties of every grade.
1t is almost the unanimous opinion that there is
no redress for the Democrats, and that they have
been outwitted at their own game, and outwitted
in a manner that is legal and will stand. The
following opinions of leading members Of the
Ohio delegation in Congress- Democrats and Re-
publicans, were CLEANED by the Journal CORE
spondent this afternoon:
Judge Geddes, Democrat. takes a very
philosophical view Of the situation. II cannot
see," said he, ''how we are to get behind the
record already made. The Republicans have
turned out the four Democratic Senators from
Cincinnati and installed in their places four Re-
publicans from those districts, men who claimed
their election. The proceedings which brought
about the transformation were perfectly regular.
~
of Representatives while am telling you this,
when there is not quorum present, and yet no
one will question the legality of it. The great
bulk of legislation in Congress is enacted without
a quorum. Common practice requires that the
point Of no quorum must be raised at the time a
measure is before the body for vote. After the
vote is taken and the result announced, it is too
late to raise the point. Now this is the rule
practiced here and in legislatures. / do not know
what the courts will say, and ! presume the
Ohio matter will go into the courts. Then
there is another thing. The people are for ORDER
they are opposed to anything that looks like
revolution, such as running away from posts of
duty and the people will sustain the act of those
who remain steadfast and do business"
"Then you think the desertion Of their seats
a mistake by the Democratic Senators!' inquired
the Journal correspondent. .
II will not say mistake" replied Judge
Geddes, evasively and smiling an affirmative
''but will repeat that the people are opposed to
anything like revolutionary proceedings. OF
course, the Democrats left one of their number
in Columbus to raise the point of quorum
should an effort be made to oust the Cincinnati
men. Now, it was folly to leave one man to
control such proceedings. 1t was very risky; it
was hazardous; and then, if the one man re-
mained and did his duty it was only question
of time when he would be worn out The Senate
could remain in constant session. and the mo-
ment the sentinel exhausted, fell, the pro-
gramme could be carried out"
What do you think OF the scheme Of organiz-
ing independent Senate of Democratsg'
There is just one obstacle in the way, and
that is very serious one" replied the judge
''they would be in minority under that status
of affairs. Had they remained at their posts
they might have succeeded in such PROPOSE
tion For instance, if they had stayed they
could have proceeded on this plan: when the
President of the Senate. after the Cincinnati
men were ousted, first refused to permit them to
vote, the Democrats could have called it revolu-
tionary and taking the officers with them, organ
lied another Senate. They would have had all
the machinery and an apparent majority; now
they would clearly be in a minority"
Major Butterworth General Grosvenor and
Mr.. Cooper, of the Ohio delegation in the House,
say in most positive language that they have
looked up the question, and that the action OF
the Senate cannot he reversed by either itself or
the courts.