The tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1890, 1890-03-12
SENATOR VESTS OPINION.

The Helena Herald prints in a Wash
ington telegram a letter from Senator
Vest to Sam Hausor, which it says was
found in the desk of a democratic state
senator. The fact that it was private
property appears to have made no differ
ence to the person who purloined it.
There is nothing in it, however, that Mr..
Vest need be ashamed Of. On the con-
trary the letter will not be pleasant read
ing for the principals and agents con-
cerned in senatorial fraud. The letter
was dated December 20, 1889, and began
thus:
"Dear Sam: The democrats made a
mistake in gong into the nate session.
1t was a bad break, but as it has been done
we must do the best we can with what is
left. All of us, and l have consulted the
leading democrats here, are of opinion
that the democratic members of the leg
islature must elect two senators on the
same dsy the republicans elect. 1t will
not do for the two republican senators to
be here without contestants on our side"
Senator Vest then describes how n
tors are elected and says:
The two republican senators will come
here with a certified copy of the proceed
ings, and the democrats with Governor
Toole's certificate, which makes a prima
facie case for us. Then the fight will be-
gin here. OF course the republican SEN
ate will not admit our people,b ut we will
make it SO hot for them that they will not
admit the others. If they needed them it
would be different, but they have six ma
jority already and can afford to play the
high judicial role. The United States
senate requires that the governor shall
sign the certificates of a senator and we
will have the best of them on that point,
but they will have the best of us as to the
senate.
1.-THE fact that u people went into ses-
sion with them Is an estoppel upon us as
to the legal organization of that body. 1t
was a terrible mistake and one we did not
anticipate.
81 sent Toole a full statement as to all
the questions involved, but did not think
of our people walking into their parlor as
they have done.
sit only remains for US to have two con-
testants here on time, and If W do moth
ing else we can show up the Pharisalcal
scoundrelism of Harrison's conduct in the
erntm~arverynouy neffer fhfows sKkfn1JNw0ss tie
anne thank God that he is so mean,
constitutionally, that he will continue to
drive away from him every mar of honor
and liberality and good feeling, until the
people will come to the rescue OF the gov
eminent from this CONCEALED mass of
meanness."
The senator from Missouri adds a post
which is as follows:
P. S.-After writing the foregoing l am
afraid have not made clear my meaning
us to the course the democrats must take
at the ext session of your state senate. /
They should not attend, and if they are |
brought in under arrest should refuse to
vote. By refusing to vote they can prevent
he lieutenant governor from voting on a
notion to go into joint convention. In
order for him to vote on any question the
must show a tie vote affirmatively. |
cannot be shown if our people do not
'ote. As to punishment for refusing to
'ote. | will not insult the democrats of
by surprising that there is one of
hem who would no. laugh at such threats.
Senator Vest did not comprehend the
ull extent of Richards perfidy, for he
I'D assume that the senate had decid-
d to go into joint session.
Senator Vests letter is manly and de-
inant. 1t should animate our people in
esisting fraud to the last.