New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-14
STATE COMEDY AT HARTFORD
THE DEMOCRATIC CLAIMANTS SWORN IN
BY THE SENATE.
JUDGE NORRIS AND HIS FELLOW CANDIDATES
MAKE FORMAL DEMANDS FOR THE OFFICES
GOVERNOR BULKELEY AND THE
PRESENT OFFICIALS POLITELY
DECLINE TO SURRENDER.
.sr rxLrGnArn 10 THE ThrBrsE.I

,er 1ELIGRAPH TO THE TkrBrsEI
Hartford. Conn. Jan. l3.-'rhc Democratic SEN
ate, in session to-day, began revolutionary pro-
ceedings and induced the Democratic candidates
for State offices to take the oath Of Office and
make formal demand upon the present incumDen's
for them IL is the first time in the history OF
the State that there has ever been so serious
state Of affairs connected with the Governorship
Shortly after the noon recess the Senate passed a
resolution, introduced by Senator Pierce, setting
forth that the Senate had examined the returns
and that il had found that Judge Morris and MS
associates had been elected TO the various Statc
offices, and inviting them by committee to present
themselves to the Senate at o'clock for the pur-
pose of being inaugurated in the various offices
for which they were candidates. A committee
was also sent to the retiring Governor inviting
him to be present and witness the taking of the
oath of office by his successor.
The committee returned with the information
that it had waited upon Governor Bulkeley and
delivered the message of the Senate. and that ne
had asked the members what authority they had
for this proceeding and that they had replied that
they couldn't say, as the Senate had given them
no instruction that Governor Bulkeley had thcn
said that he regarded such proposed action as
revolutionary and unauthorized, and that such
persons taking the oaths of Office would not ne
recognized by the present incumbenis, nor would
the offices be surrendered to them, that such per-
sons took such steps their personal RESPONSE
bility and at their peril.
Shortly after this Judge Morris presented him.
self to the Senate and Senator Pierce admin
istcred the Governors oath to him and the proper
oaths to the other Democratic candidates for
State offices. The claimants then proceeded TO
the State offices and made formal demand upon
the incumbents for possession, and were in each
case refused. After this the Democratic candi-
dates left the building. Mr.. Phelan first made
a demand upon Secretary Walsh for his office
and all the appurtenances thereto, to which the
Secretary replied:
81 should be happy TO surrender To youb
Brother Phelan, but. | uRGorstand the cir
cumstanccs You are not duly elected and quail
fed as Secretary Of State Therefore ! refuse 10
surrender the Office to you
Mr.. Phclan then wished thG Secretary Good
afternoon" and retired. Thcs same proceedings
were gone through with in a.; the State Offices.
except in that of Controller. When Mr.. Staun
demanded possession of that office Chief Clerk
Moore informed him that Controller Wright was
at home sick. and that he hsi written instruc-
tions from him not TO surrend:r the office to any
one not duly elected and qls,llhcd
Governor Bulkelcy. who wais in the Controller $
Office assured Mr.. Staub thai he would not bc
recognized Controller, and ,slat II necessary he
should enforce the law.
Mr. Staub said pleasantly I Governor. II you
should call ont the military 4 sure and call ont
the cavalry as I am an all -poxerful runner" To
which Governor Bulkecy reSied II we Dpd
that YOU re running, shaISot take the tronfde
10 run after youp Mr. StauS then retired from
the office. &
Goycrnor Bnl<eley rctnrneJ:to his room, where
he found Judge Morris and ,Sveral others await
inc him President pro tenn 1,eed. Of the Senate.
stenped forward and said I,overnor Bulkeley.
allow me to introduce to yoS Governor Norris,
Who ?, inquired GovcrnCS Bulkeey, and, re-
ceiyinp no rcpIy extended Mis- hand TO Judg.
Norris saving with smile y" Mr. Morris, i am
glad TO see you
Judpe Morris addressing cie Governor, said
Governor. I suppose YOU :e hardly ready to
give up Your Office as yet p
Governor Bulkeey rcpliedst whenever tne
General Assembly qualified hj successor he would
cheerfully surrender the offic to him.
Judge Morris remarked Il 81 that was all the
official business he had witt the Governor, and
after pleasant call left tn. Office. ,
The proceedinps were clt racterized by the
greatest gOOd-nature, but the 1iepnbncan senators
did NOT arise during the cere yony of swearing in
tho onas-ctato officers The fiction Of the Senate
was apparently taken for th': purpose OF Iurlsii-
ing a basis for quo warranr prOceedihgs INT
select con1mittee of the Ilo sse on investigation
~ tho returns will meet tomorrow, and, from
nrosant onncarances il is ne, expected that the
democratic members will Ike part in its in