Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-16
SEATS IN THE SENATE.
Claimants for Representation from Mon
tsna.
To thu lisnatch-l


WASHINGTON. February 15.-The Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections
began to-day an investigation OF the
credentials of several claimants for
seats in the Senate from Montana.
Before the formal session began MIR.
Saunders. one of the Republican claim
ants, gave brief statement of the
situation. There was full attendance OF
the committee. Colonel Halbert i. Paine
appeared as counsel for the Republican
claimants. The counsel for the Democrats
is ex-Solcitor- General jerks. When the
committee found itself with n quorum
Colonel Halbert E.. Paine, counsel for the
Republican claimants, Messrs. Saunders
and Powers, began the presentation OF the
case in their behalf. He said that he
should attempt to maintain by his argyll
ment propositions to the following effect
That the certificates held by the rlval
claimants in this case contradict each other
and are utilities. This being the case 1t IL
the duty of the Senate to resort to Sc
condary proof to determine which OF the
claimants are entitled to q seat. AS such
secondary proof ii is competent to show
that the House Of Representatives and
the Senate at the time they voted
for United States senators contained
majority of the members duly
elected to these bodies. and lat
in this case there was no change in n6m-
bership IN the Montana Legislature f4om
the time it was organized NovembeIs23 %,
1889, to January LIST and Cd, when the efec-
ton for United States senators occurr "a;
In the absence of the certificate requ ted
bv law showing the Drirnd- f0cie right of ! he
holder to d seat, the Senate has the r%ht
to investigate and adjudlcate the clam OF
the de facto members of the Legislature
electing the claimant, but not TO 60 tto
the claims of the De jure members thers!t
Dir. Saunders submitted to the comiTit-
tee. in behalf of himself and colleague, q
statement which will be included in fhe
record. 1t was not read.
Fx-Solicitor- General jerks, for the DIM
ocratic senators, at o'clock began the c;lse
for the Democratic claimants. de sad
that in this case there were three point in
question to be determined: 1. Is there q
,rir,d- fdcie right to seat in the United
States Senate? He affirmed that there Il,
and that it is in favor of his clients. 2 is
there, or was there. legislature TO e. ct
the senators There was, he said, and he
certificate of the clerk of the commiss >'n-
ers of Silver Bow county is the only Ire
dental of the right of representation f~Dn
that county TO sit therein. 3. In whoE is
this primo facie right existing? Mr.. Jesks
said that it existed in Messrs. Maginnis End
Clark They have the title, and they tIye
the right back of the title from the people
to represent the State of Montana in tAe
United States Senate.
Both sides closed the presentation Of
tteir cases and argument and the con-
mittee adjourned to meet three weeks
from to-day.
Among the measures favorably reported
TO the House to-day from committees
were the following: Z;
BY SIr. Adams, OF New York, from Che
Judiciary Committee: The internatio, gal
copyright BILL
By Mr.. Hopkins, of Illinois, from she
Committee on Merchant Marine and Elsie
ries: The Dingley bill exempting vessels
from the payment of State pilot-fees wlssn
they have United States pilot or<
licensed master.