Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-14
Chambers Scheme.

Chandler Scneme.
IsItanv cause for wonder that the press
end The public should speak dgparagingly OF
the malignant W. T.. CHANDLER, Of New
Hsmpshifoi Hes 90 small, 30 Insignificant,
so mean. that he endeavors to attract atten-
ton by INDUCING in practices which almost
any other senator would consider discredita-
bic, not to say disgraceiul.
Mr.. CHANDLER introduced into the Senate
on Tuesday resolution which looks TO
revolution in the customs Of the United
States Senate, II not In the form of the Fede-
raj Government
Mr.. CHANDLER's resolution notifies us q at
il Is time for all good Democrats 70 cease
their war upon such devoted friends OF the
South rs Mr.. G0RMAN, Mr.. BARNUN, Mr.. Nc
ADoo, Mr.. RANDALL, and their supporters.
We here in Virgins have gained victory
after victory without driving the Protection
ist Democrats out OF the Democratic party.
Why should we inaugurate new policy this
year? Why should we divide into two FAC
lions and abuse each other because we do not
agree in opinion as 20 whether certain GUS
NNUir-Aullto HHVhiu NC - Pa NNbN Va - -
cent?
However, this 10y the way. Mr.. CHASD-
LEES resolution involves the assumption
that the United states Senate. which is
under the Constitution the sole Judge OF the
elections qualifications, and returns OF It's
own members, has the right also to Judge OF
the elections, qualifications, and returns OF
1 .fs1o Of ba
raj States. II assumes, therefore, that the
States have no rights which either
house OF Congress is bound to respect,
Why should the Constitution OF every
state cloihe the respective houses OF the
Legislature with the power to Judge OF the
elections qualifications, and returns OF its
own members Il was done TO insure the
independence Of The Legislature. 1t was
done in order that the men chosen by the
people should not be kept ont OF their places
nor deprived Of their rights as lawglyers.
II was done to prevent the Executive and
The Judicial departments OF the Government
from binding = state ia chains.
II the United states Senate has the power
20 inquire INTO The title Of each member OF
the Louisiana Legislature to his seat In that
body, 1t has the power to inquire into the
title 10 IN. seat OF each member OF every
Legislature in the Union. There are thirty
eight Of these Legislatures, and each OF them
has from one hundred 20 two hundred men,
bers-say I've thousand in all. As one third
OF the states elect Uaited States senators
every two years, the United States Senate
would have to inquire every two years into
the title to their seats Of say fifteen hundred
members OF the State Legislatures. Aud as
every members case would be different from
that of every other member, the title Of each
one OF the fifteen hundred would have to be
Investigated by itself! Isn'tthat promising
scheme?
This question was involved in The con-
tfstcd-election case from Indiana which the
United States Senate decided few weeks
ago. The committee reported that the Legis-
lature which elected Mr.. TURPiE was recog-
nized by all the departments OF the State
government OF Indiana as the lawful Legis-
la.ure Of the state. The Governor recognized
Il; the courts recognized it. II had made
laws, and nobody had questioned Its right
20 make them. The committee concluded,
therefore. and the Senate came TO the same
conclusion, that Mr.. TURPIE had been duly
elected a senator from Indiana. The COM
inittee was Republican committee and the
Senate was a Republican Senate-that Is, q
msjority In both eases; but they could not
adopt CHANpLER's theory.
Similar must be the conclusion reached by
the Senate In the case OF Dir. GIBSON, Of Lou
isisna. All the departments OF the Slate
government OF Louisiana recognize the Le'
gislature which elected him as the lawful
Legislature OF Louisiana. Tue Governor
recognizes IL. The courts recognize It, il
Il the only body In Louisiana even so muet
as claiming the power to make laws or repea
laws. Either II is the lawful Legs
laiure OF louisiana, or else there Is no law
full Legislature. II there Is no lawfd
Legislature, then OF course no United
States senators eau be lawfully chosen
And so with all the States. Either
the Legislature which the other departments
OF the Government recognize as lawful Is The
lawful Legislature, or else there can In The
nature OF things be no lawful Legislature.
The United States Senate is powerless to
remedy that condition OF things. 1t can
pass no law. II it were TO pass bill tC
carry out CHANDLER's foolish idea and pro-
vide a "republicau form OF government
for the several States the House Of Repre-
sentatyes wouli kill it.; or II the House OF
Representatives passed IL the President
would veto Il.
Mr.. CuANDLER's absurd scheme-ii II ~
absurd rather than dangerous-is not likely
10 meet with much favor even Ia the Senate.
That body could Of course deprive Louisian'
or any other State OF It's representation in the
Senate, by refusing TO seat It's senator's, bu
could do nothing worse. We do not know
how Mr.. CHANDLER expects to remedy the nj
Legged wrong Of which be complains. Blu
we think We may safely assume that as soor
as the presidential election Is over he will al
low his baRtling TO perish for want OF atten
ton. he is playing with edged tools and W
shall notcry II he cuts himself.
One thing is certain. 1t is The duty Of tn
southern people to remain "solid" Ia thei
support OF the Democratic party so long a
the northern people shall allow themselye
\ TO be represented in Congress by men sue
J Is WILLIAM Il. CHANDLER.
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Charleston, S. c., has raised already $40
900 towards her pew.hotel enterprise, an
iis promoters are ssnguine Of success. TIL
subscribers 30 far have been conBncd 20 cit