The morning call., 1890-12-30
THE UPPER HOUSE.
Discussion OVer the Seating Of
Idaho's Senator's.
The Federal Elections Debate Resumed.
Hoar Severely Scores the 0ppo-
nentS Of the Measure.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The Senate met
at noon and the Vice-Prcsdent laid before
the Senate communication from the Gov
ernor of Idano transmitting the names of
the Senators-elect from that S.ate-George
L. Shoup and William Mcconnell.
The credentials having been read, Hoar
stated that Shoup WAS present. and asked
that the oath of Office be administered him.
Vance remarked that the new State of
Idaho appeared TO have elected more than
its share of Senators, and he thought the
credentials should be referred to the Com
mittee Oh 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 Vance's motion. and said that
Shoup was simply sworn in on his prima
facie case.
Vance remarked that it was stated in the
newspapers that three Senat, rs had been
elected in Idaho, and that the Legislature
had gone to the extent of assigning to each
of them the term for which he would serve.
Senate and to a constitutional provision. He
thought it proper, therefore, that the ques-
ton should be determined by the proper
committee Of the Senate.
Mitchell said that he had reliable infor-
nation that it was false report. So far as
the election of three Senators was Con-
cerned he held that it was regular and in
order.
boar argued that the question was SIM
pie one. 1t was clear and unquestionable
that one of the two Senators whose creden-
tials had just been presented would go out
on March a, 1891, and the Legislature being
in session had elected a Senator for the
term which would then begin. Beyond all
question there would be a vacancy at that
time, because one of those two gentlemen
would have to 60 out on the 4th Of March,
1891.
Carlisle argued that the Legislature of
Idaho had no right to assume in advance Of
the action by the Senate that there would
be a vacancy in the Senate irom that State
on the 4th of March, 1891. No election of
Senator to fill such vacancy could take place
until it was legally known vacancy would
occur after 1t was determined by the Senate,
In constitutional way, that there would be
vacancy. After this the next Legislature
of idaho, if in session, might proceed at
once to choose Senator, and if the Legis-
lature were not in session, the appointment
of Senator should be made by the Gov
ernor of the State. He imagined there had
never been case In the history OF the coun-
try where the State Legislature had chosen
three Senators at once.
Hawley-lS 1t not Imperative under the
Constitution that there shall be a vacancy
after the 4th of March next?
Carlisle-I think so.
Hawley-Then how could the Legislature
OF ldaho he any more certain oil that fact
three months hence than 1t is to-day?
Carlisle-Each one OF these gentlemen
holds precisely the same form on creden-
tials. Now, want the Senate to state what
the Sen ale would do in case all three of
them presented their credentials at the
same slime. How would the Senate de-
termine what tive of them were legally
elected and which one of them was not?
The discussion was continued by Stewart,
Sanders, Cockrell, Spooner, Reagan and
Spooner asked Reagan whether the State
Of Idaho was entitled to two Senators.
Reagan-Yes.
Spooner-The Legislature of Idaho
adopted resolution to proceed to an cleo
tion TO fill the existing vacancies, and it
elected Shoup and Mcconnell, not specify
ing the length of the term of either, leaving
1t 10 be determined by the Senate. How
does that fact affect the question of the
Legislature having elected a third man,
whose term of Office is 10 commence in the
future
Vance's motion to refer the credentials of
Shoup and Mcconnell to the Committee on
P riyileges and Elections was then agreed to.
Faulkner offered resolution which went
over till Tomorrow calling on the Census
Office for information as TO the population of
each county in The State OF West Virginia.
Aldrich offered his resolution for an
amendment of the rules, which he had here
toiore given notice Of, and asked that it be
printed and laid over.
Cockrel asked whether it was now in or
der to move to refer the resolution to the
Committee on Rules.
1t was decided not and the resolution went
over.
Stewart gave notice that he would to-mor-
row move to take up the Financial Bill
Stewarts notice gave rise to some specula-
t0nS as to the effect of his action upon the
programme arranged. 1t appears, however,
that Stewart is desirous of making speech
upon the financial subject, and that there is
no serious intention OF taking the Financial
Bill up for action Tomorrow, or in fact any
day this week.
Carlisle introduced joint resolution au-
thoriZing the President to appoint three
Commissioners and invite Canada to appoint
the sauie number to consider all questions
affecting commercial relations under exist
ing treaties, and to recommend to their re-
SpectiVe Governments such reciprocal legiS-
lation as will settle all differences and tend
to promote the growth of trade and CON-
merce between the two Governments.
The Senate confirmed the nomination of
Henry b. Brown as Associate Justice Of the
Supreme Court.
Frye, from the Committee on Commerce,
reported favorably various bills EN- bodying
the recommendations of the recent Interna-
tional Marine Conference relative to the
merchant marine service.
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 floor on the elections bill and German
withdrew his motion.
Hoar yielded the floor to 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 struggle for the last
step toward establishing doctrine to which
the American people were pledged by their
history, their Constitution. their opinions
and interests. They could not know in
their citizenship slaves, vassals or inferior
races. 1t was idle to debate theories or
PHILOSOPHERS in the presence of express pro-
visions Of the Constitution. He repelled,
with all the indignation which the calnmny
deserved, the aspersion that the bill was
partisan measure, or that any man who sup
ported IL was actuated by partisan motives.
The bill was one to exclude PARTISAN
ship from the determination of title
to Q. place in the House OF Representatives
as absolutely as the lot Of humanity would
admit. The committee that reported it had
merely undertaken to act ON the advice of
S. s. Cox, and other leading Democrats, and
extend the efficient system of electoral
supervision enforced in New York, to otbe,
put forth the whole military powers Of the
Government to defend settlers against
Indians, though the latter had been pro.
voked by a hundred years of wrong. Would
they not also protect them against unpro-
here seriously TO affirm that the fathers Of
the republic had created National Govern.
ment, and not given it authority to secure the
purity of the election Of It's great Representa-
tive Assembly? The Republican Senators
charged that through election practices in
operation in some of the States the seats of
at least thirty RanreSenfatiYAS had haan