Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-29
IDAHO'S SENATORS,
The Right Of the State to Elect Three
Questioned in the Senate.
The REASON WHY IT WAS DONE,
Senator Shoup Sworn In-The Gre
dentials of the Other Two Referred.
THE CLOTURE BILL REPORTED
SENATE.

The Senate met at noon. The Vice President
laid before the Senate a communication from
the governor of Idaho, transmitting credentials
of the Senators-elect from that state-Messrs.
George L. Shoup and VIM. J. Mcconnell. The
credentials having been read, Mr.. Hoar moved
that, as Mr.. Shoup was present, the oath Of
office be administered to him.
MORE SENATORS THAN THE LAW ALLOWS.
Mr. Vance remarked that the new state Of
Idaho appeared to have elected more than its
fair share of Senators, and he thought that the
credentials should be referred to the commit
tee on privileges and elections.
Mr. Hoar said that as he understood there
He thought that his motion took precedence Of
Mr.. Vance's.
SENATOR sHoUP SWORN IN.
Mr.. Hoar's motion having been agreed to
that Senator escorted Mr.. Shoup to the clerks
desk, where he took the oath of office and sub
scribed to it.
Mr. Harris subsequently inquired what had
become Of Mr.. Vances motion and said that
Mr.. Shoup had been simply sworn on his
prima facie case.
NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.
Mr.. Vance remarked that it was stated in the
newspapers that three Senators 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 should serve. That was
contrary. he said, to the rule of the Senate and
proper, therefore. that the question should be
determined by the proper committee of the
Senate.
AFAIsR REPORT.
Mr.. Mitchell said that he had reliable infor-
nation that neither the legislature Of Idaho nor
the Senators-elect had attempted in any shape,
manner or form to determine which of them
should have the long and which the short term.
That was false report. So far as the election
OF three Senators was concerned 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 pre-
sented would expire on the 4th OF March
next and that being SO the legislature had the
right to elect Senator for the six years term
to begin then.
MR.. HoAR SAYS THE QUESTION Is SIMPLE ONE.
Mr.. Hoar argued tina. 1le question was a very
simple one. 1t was clear and unquestionable
that one of the two Senators whose credentials
had just been presented would go out on the
4th Of March, 1891, and the legislature (being
in SESSION. had elected 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.
NO RIGHT TO ASSUME.
Mr.. Carlisle argued that the legislature Of
Idaho had no right to assume lin 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 a 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 a vacancy
after the 4th of March next the legislature Of
Idaho (if in session. might proceed at once to
choose a Senator; and, if the legislature was
not in session, an appointment of Senator
should be made by the governor Of the state.
He imagined that there never had been a case,
in the history OF the country, where a state
legislature had chosen three Senators at once.
CONSTITUTIONAL VACANCY.
Mr.. Hawley-Is it not imperative under the
Constitution that there shall be a vacancy after
the 4th of March next?
Mr.. Carlisle think 80.
Mr.. Hawley-Then how could the legislature
of Idaho be any more certain Of that fact three
months hence than it is to-day?
Mr.. Carlisle-Each one OF these gentlemen
holds precisely the same form Of credentials.
Now. l want the Senator to state what the Sem
ate would do in case all three Of them pre-
sented their credentials at the same time? How
would the Senate determine that two Of them
were legally elected and that one of them was
not?
The discussion was continued by Messrs
Stewart, Sanders, Cockrell, Spooner, Reagan
and Mitchell.
MR. sPooNER's QUERIES.
Mr.. Spooner asked Mr.. Reagan whether the
state of Idaho was not entitled to two Senators.
Mr.. Reagan-Yes.
Mr.. Spooner-The legislature Of Idaho
adopted aresOlution to proceed to an election
to fill the two existing vacancies, and it elected
Mr.. Shoup and Mr.. Mcconnell without specify
ing the length Of term for 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 futurei
NO QUORUM.
Mr.. Hoar moved to lay on the table Mr..
vance's motion to refer the credentials to the
committee on privileges and elections. The
vote was taken and it resulted Yeas, 20; nays,
Is (no quorum). The roll was then called and
fifty-three Senators answered to their names.
This showed the presence of more than
quorum, but several Of those present were
paired and could not vote.
THE CREDENTIALS REFERRED.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Hoar the call for
the yeas and nays was withdrawn, his own mo-
ton to lay on the table was withdrawn and Mr.
Vance's motion to refer the credentials of
MeB6rR. SnOup anu McCOnneu 70 the committee
on privileges and elections was agreed TO-
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Among the bills reported from committees
and placed on the calendar were the following:
Senate bill to establish marine board for
the advancement Of the interests Of the mer-
chant marine.
House bill to facilitate the collection Of COM
mercial statistics as required by the river and
harbor appropriation bill of 1866.
Senate bill to carry into effect certain re-
concentrations Of the international marine
conference.
Senate bill to amend the r. 8. as to the
regulations Of steam vessels the regulation of
commerce and navigation, and the remission of
fines, penalties and forfeitures.
Senate bill for the rebuilding Of the United
States revenue steamer Thomas Ewing with an
iron hull.
House bill to relinquish the interest of the
United States in certain lands TO the city and
county Of San Francisco and its grantees. Be
ported adves sely.
BILLS PASSED.
Senate bill for the relief Of the inhabitants Of
the town Of Gallup, in Bernaville county, New
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