The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-30
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The Idaho senators-Hoar Argues Tor
the Elections Bill.


the Elections Bill.
WAsuryeToS CrTY, Dec 29-In the Sem
ate the vice president brought up for con-
sideration q communication from the gov
ernor Of Idaho. transmitting the creden-
tials of the senators-elect from that state,
George Shoup and William ]. Mcconnell,
The credentials having been read. Hoar
asked that if Shoup was present the oath
of office be administered TO him.
Vance remarked that the new state of
idaho appeared to have elected more than
its share of senators. He thought it should
be referred to the committee on privileges
and elections.
Hoar's motion having been agreed to,
that senator escorted Shoup TO the clerks
desk, where he took the oath of Office.
Harris subsequently inquired what had
become of yance's motion, and said Shoup
had been simply sworn in on his priBla
fdcie case.
Vance remarked that it was stated in
the newspapers that three senators had
been elected in Idaho, and that the legis-
lature had gone to the extent of assigning
to each of them the term for which he
should serve. That was contrary, he said,
to the rules of the senate and to the con-
proper, therefore, that the question be de-
terrnined by the proper committee OF the
Senate.
Mitchell said that he had reliable infor-
nation, and so far as the election OF the
three senators was concerned, he held 1t
regular and in order.
Hoar argued that the question was
very simple one, and it was clear and I'M
questionable that one of the two senators
whose credentials had just been presented
would go out on the 4th of March, 1891,
and that the legislature, being in session,
had elected a senator for the term which
would then begin. Beyond question there
would be vacancy at that time, because
one of these two gentlemen would have TO
go out on the 4th of March, 1891.
Carlisle argued that the legislature of
Idaho had no right to assume in advance
of action by the Senate that there would be
q vacancy in the Senate from that state on
the 4th of March, 1891. No election of
senator to fill such vacancy could take
vacancy would occur. After it had been
determined by the Senate in constitu-
tionai way that there would be vacancy
after that time the next legislature of
Idaho, il in session, might proceed at once
to choose senator, and If the Legislature
were not in session an appointment of a
senator should be made by the governor of
the state He argued that there had never
been q case in the history of the country
where state legislature had chosen three
senators at once.
Hawley-Is it not imperative under the con-
stitution that there shall be vacancy after the
4th OF March next?
Carlisle think So
Hnwley-Then how could the legislature of
Idaho be any more certain OF that tact three
months hence than il is today?
Carlisle-Esch one of these gentlemen holds
precisely the same form OF credentials Now,
fHn 30
do in case three presented their credentials The
same time How would the Senate determine
what two of them are legally assigned and
The discussion was continued by Stewart,
Sanders, Cockrell, Spooner, Reagan and
Mitchell.
Spooner asked Mitchell whether Idaho
was not entitled TO two senators.
Rcagau-Yes.
Mitchell--The state OF Idaho sdopted resolu-
ton to proceed to an election to fill two existing
vacancies, and il elected Shosp and Mcconnell
without specifying the length of the terms of
either leaving il TO be determined by the SEN
ate How does that fact AFFECT the question of
the legislature having third man whose term
OF Office is 10 commence IL the future.
Vance's motion to refer the credentials of
Shoup and Mcdonnell TO the committee on
privileges and elections was then agreed TO-
Carlisle introduced joint resolution for
the appointment Of committee TO confer
with commissioners of the Dominion of
Canada to consider the trade relations be-
tween the coaptries; referred TO the select
committee on relations with Canada.
Faulkner offered resolution, which
went over TIL tomorrow. commenting on
the report Of the superintendent of census
as to the population of each county in the
state of West Virginia.
Aldrieh offered his resolution for amend
ing the rules, which he had heretofore
given aotiee OF, and asked that it be printed
and laid over.
Ccckreli asked whether it was now in
order TO move to refer the resolution to
the committee on rules. Aldrich replied
that the motion would be in order when
fhe resolution comes up.
Stewart gave notice that tomorrow
morning he would move to take UP the
financial BILL
German moved to take up the bill for
the adjustment of the accounts of laborers,
etc, under the eight-hour law, but Hoar
claimed the fioor on the elections bill. and
German withdrew the motion. Hoar
yielded the floor 10 Hiscock, who addressed
the Senate at length in support of the bill.
At the conclusion of HiScock's speech
Hoar addressed the Senate. In the course
OF his remarks Hoar said the struggle for
the pending bill was o struggle for the last
step toward establishing doctrine TO
which the American people were pledged
by their history. their constitution, their
htAtiiNHS anu lHAtTtStSs lnSN NOulN not
know in their citizenship slaves, vasSals
or inferior races. 1t was idle to debate
theories or PHILOSOPHERS in the presence OF
the express provisions of the constitution.
He denied with indignation. which the
caiumny deserved, the assertion that
the bill was a partisan measure, or that
any man who supported il was actuated
by partisan purposes. The hill was one 10
exclude partisanship from the determine
ton of the title to place in the roll o;
the House of Representatives. rs absolutely
as the lot Of humanity would admit. The
committee that reported II had merely
undertaken to act on the advice of 5. s
Cox and other leading Democrats. TO ex.
tend the benehcent system Of the electoral
supervision offered in New York 10 other
parts of the country. The senator's would
put forth the whole military power of th(
government TO defend settlers against In.
dians, though the latter had been provoked
by hundred years Of wrongs Would
they not also protect them against un.
provoked outrages 81 the p0llS2 Did they
stand here seriously 70 affirm that the faith
ers of the republic had created national
government and given it no authority &c
secure the purity ofelection of its great ran
resentatiye assembly, The Republican sen
ators charged that through election prac
tices In operation n some Of the states Tx