St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-30
TOO MANY SENATORS
ldaho's New Rules Regarding
Elections Severely Criti-
ciSed.
The Senate Would Seat All
Republican Senator'S
Elected.
Mr. Wanamaker Runs Afoul
the Civil Service Com
mission.
Senator Stewart May Possibly
Oppose the Republican
Gag Law.


senate communication from the gov
arnor of Idaho transmitting credentials
of the senators-elect from that state
MesSrs. George l.. Shoup and William
J. Mcconnell The credentials having
been read Mr.. Hoar moved that as Mr..
Shoup was present the oath of Office be
administered TO him. Mr.. Vance re-
marked that the new state of Idaho APP
peared to have elected more than Its
fair share of senators, and he thought
that the credentials should be referred
10 the committee on privileges and
elections. Mr.. Hoar said that as he
understood it there were only two SEN
ators chosen from that state. He thought
that his motion took precedence of Mr..
Nance'S. Mr.. Hoar'S motion having
been agreed 10, that senator escorted
Mr.. Shoup TO the clerks desk, where he
took the oath of office and subscribed to
it. MIR. Harris subsequently inquired
what had become of MIR. Vance'S mo-
ton, and said that Mr.. Shoup had been
simply sworn OH his
Prima Facie Case.
Mr.. Vance remarked that it was
stated in the newspapers that three SEN
ators had been elected in Idaho, and
that the legislature had gone to the ex-
tent of assigning to each of them the
term for which he should serve. That
was contrary, he said, to the rule of the
senate, and to the constitutional prOViS-
ion. He thought it proper, therefore,
that the question should be determined
by the proper committee of the senate
MIR. Mitchell said that he had reliable
information that neither the legislature
Of Idaho nor the senators-elect had at
tempted in any shape, manner or form
TO determine which of them should have
the long ana which the short term.
That was false report. SO far as the
election of three senators was con-
cerned, he held that that was regular
and in order. Every one knew that the
term of one of the two senators whose
credentials had been presented must
expire on the 4th of March next, and
that being so, the Legislature had the
right TO elect senator for the SIX year
term to begin then. Mr.. Hoar argued
that the question was a very simple
one. 1t was clear and unQueStionable
that
One of the Two Senators
whose credentials had just been pre-
scented would go out on the 4th of
March, 1891; and the legislature (being
IN SESSION. had elected a senator for the
term which would then begin. Beyond
all question there would be vacancy
at that time, because one of those two
gentlemen would have to go out on the
4th of March. 1891. MI Carlisle argued
That the legislature of Idaho had no
right to assume Gin advance of action by
the senate) that there would be va
yaa1r IN ha.c 70, ! 40
the 4th Of March, 1891. No election of
senator to fill such vacancy could take
place until it was legally known that
that vacancy would occur. After it had
been determined by the senate, in a
constitutional way, that there would be
vacancy after the 18th of March next,
the legislature OF Idaho Of in session.
might proceed, at once, to choose a SEN
atOr, aud, if the legislature was not in
session. an appointment of a senator
should besmade by the governor of the
state. He imagined that there never
had been case in the history of the
country where state legislature had
chosen three senators at once.
Mr.. Hawley-Is it not imperative, under
the constitution, that there shall be q va
cancy after the 4th of March hext?
Mr.. Carlisle think so.
Mr.. Hawley-Then how could the legis-
fact three months hence than il is to day?
Mr.. Carls!e-Each one of these gentlemen
holds precisely the same form of credentials
Now, want the senator to state what the
senale would do in case all three of them
presented their credentials at the same time
How would the senate determine that two OF
them were legally armed and that one of
them was not. The discussion was contin-
ued by MessrS. stewart Sanders Cockrell,
opooner, Reagan and Mitchell.
Mr.. Spooner asked Mr.. Reagan whether
the state Of Idaho was not entitled to two
senators.
Mr.. Recognizes.
Mr.. Spooner- The legislature of Idaho
adopted a resolution to proceed to an cleo
ton to fill the two existing vacancies, and it
elected MIR. Shoup and Mr.. Mcconnell with
cut specifying the length of term of either
leaving that TO be determined by the senate.
How does that fact affect the question OF
the Legislature having elected third man
whose term of Office is to commence IN the
future.
Mr.. Vance's motion to refer the Gre
dentialS of Messrs. Shoup and McCon-
neli to the committee on privileges and
elections was then agreed to.