The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-05
Northwestern Senator'S Draw for
State Precedence and for
Length of Terms.
Pettigrew Secures a Six Year Slip
but One is Left for Mon
tana.
The Meeting Pace for Western Mon-lm'
portant Land ofiice Discission
senate and House.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l.-lSpecial. The
United States senate had lottery to-day Of
greater proportions than has ever been wit
messed in that body in the history OF the
country. Six senators from three new states
drew for the order Of admission Into the
union and for terms under complicated
resolution introduced by Senator Hoar,
which he said WIS in conformity with the
resolution of May, 1852, and the constitu-
tion. Senators Pierce and Casey, of North
Dakota, were sworn in just AS soon MS pos
sible after the chaplain's prayer. Mr. Cul-
lom presented Mr. Pierce's credentials and
escorted him 10 yicc-Presidont Morton's
desk, and Mr.. Washburn did the same
courtesy for Mr.. Casey. II took but min
ute TO repeat the OATH and then MIR. Morton
turned 10 one side Of his desk and gave
hand TO each Of the senators. When the
senators drew for the terms, Senator Gull
lom presented memorial from North Da-
kota endorsing Senator Pierce for the long
term. Senator Sherman smiled when II was
read. MIR. Hoar limited that the legislature
had nothing 10 do about il. Mr. German
agreed with him and cited similar in
stance when Minnesota's first senators
came in, and when the Legislative endorse
ment did not count. MIR. Call, Of Florida.
argued the other way. holding that the leg
islature was entitled 10 choose ON such
matters. Al this somebody in the gallery
said something about the old question
about states rights being involved. The
matter was settled by drawing III the old
way, without regard to the North Dakota
Legislature.
Then came the lottery. The draw was
first for order Of precedence by states, and
Senators Allen, Casey and Moody, for the
three states, drew slips of paper from bal
lot box. Allen got No. 1, 80 Washington in
the thirty-ninth state; Moody got No. 9,
giving South Dakota the fortieih place,
and Cosey's luck gave North Dakota the
forty-frst place. That lenves Montana for
the baby state wGshingi IN was
accordingly the first to settle ON
the length of terms, and there
were slips of paper representing
a four and two year term put in the box
Allen drew first, and got the four year term.
leaving Squire with but two years to serve
his state. South Dakota came next with n
chance at two, u four and six year term.
Pettigrew always had great luck in the
draw. "rll bet on him for the six year
term,' said South Dakota man in the gla-
lery. He would have won his bet. for Petit
grew drew the six-year slip. Judge Moody
got No. 3, and 80 has only two-year term.
North Dakota also had chance at the three
classes, but no six-year term was in the box
for them. Casey got four-year term aud
Pierce a two yearterm. With this distribu-
tion Montana will have o chance for u six
year term. whenever two senators from that
state are elected.
II was not ten minutes after tho draw be-
fore the politicians were figuring ON the
chance Of the short term men for re-elec-
tion. In the two Dakotas an entirely new
legislature will be elected before Moody and
Pierce's term will expire, while in washing-
ton one-half of the present state senators
will still be in their seats when Aliens sue
cessor il TO be chosen.