The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-14
STUHR'S PITIFUL PLEA.
Senator Werts Leads in the
Condemnation ofthe Re-
publican Legislative
0utrages.
Stirring Scenes Duringthe Organlz-
alton of New Jerseys 115lh
Legislature.
special o tAe Jerssv cilp Nelrs.

AAhENAVHt ptAhs Acy Aoous-A uC OuC AdA n
spot on the otherwise stainless escutcheon
of New Jersey was removed by the Sem
ate this afternoon and Notwithstanding a
windy haranRue by Stuhr and cunning
bit Of sophistry by the ex-boss of the Sem
ate, Gardner, Edward f. Mcdonald was re-
stored to the seat in the Senate to which
he was elected by the people of Hudson
county In the fall of 1888. and of which he
was robbed by subservient Republican
majority in desperate endeayor to per-
petuate itself IN power after being re-
pudiated by the people.
When the Senate had been organized
and the preliminary resolutions had been
passed, Senator Werts offered preamble
and resolution which set forth the cleo
tion of Edward T. Mcdonald as Senator
by the people of Hudson county and his
taking the oatn of Office on January IA,
1890. that on the 22nd of May, 1890 he WAS
unseated by partisan Republican major
ily and William S. Stuhr was given his
seat without testimony to authorize or
warrant the proceeding. II provided that
the resolution giving Stuhr his seat be
Iescinded and for nothing hoidsn,n and
that William S. Stuhr was not entitled to
n sear, and Edward Il. Mcdonald was en-
tor from Hudson county.
Before the last word of the resolution
had passed the liDs OF the CLERK, Stuhr
was on his feet with point of order that
the resolutions were out of order mas
much as they sought to reconsider a reso-
luton, ana in order to accomplish that
they should have been introduced the
same day he resolution was passed or
the day after. President Adrain prompt
ly ruled the point of order not well taken
and upon an appeal being taken by Stuhr,
was sustained by strick party vote.
The resolutions were then laid before
the Senate and Stuhr took the floor with
pile of manuscript which made the
crowded chamber turn pale. He was
surrounded by the flower Of the Jeffer-
sonian party of Hudson. Judge Rankin
stood at his back land on his right was
Patrick Sheeran looking over the shoul-
der of Alderman McCabe, OF East New
ark, a warm admirer of Senator McDon-
aid. who regarded Stuhr with looks of
everything but brotherly love. AtStuhr's
left was John Jakeway. with arms folded
and in the heroic attitude generally
designated as Ajax defying the light
ming. Michael c. Cannon, secretary of
the Jeffersonian Committee, Richard
Allen, Martin Steljes, J. j. McCahery.
John CronIn, patriot with single lock
a la Gardner hanging down his massive
brow. and several other Jeffersonians
crowded around him to hold up his hands
and supply him with water.
President Somers. OF the Street and
Water Board; james e. Connolly, OF the
Tax Board; ex-Judge Seymour, Com
missioner Dugan, Albert DATE and sew
eral other prominent Jersey City people
eyed this array from the galleries, while
John p. Feeney and General Heppen-
heimer occupied TWO of the pages chairs
in front of the clerks desk.
STUHR's HARANGUE.
Stuhr began hts harapgue with claim
that his case was res ddjiidfcdta and that
having once been decided IL could not be
opened. In cupport of this position he
quoted at length from the speeches of
United States Senators in the Kellogg
Spofford case to show that when a Senate
once passes upon the qualification of its
members that action is fiaal. He asked
II he had no rights which the Senate was
bound TO respect. Most members, he
said, were admitted upon their bare
certificates of election. but he, after
a long and searching investigation
had been given his seat aud now he was,
To be deprived of that seat by the mere
vote of majority without any hearing.
lie declared that the Senate was estab-
fishing precedent of the most danger
Gus kind which would bring all sorts OF
disaster upon the State. He wanted TO
know why there was such an undue haste
iB getting rid of him. 1t tue Senate did
not think be was elected why did it not
appoint a COMMITTEES to investigate
the matter
wERTs CRUsHEs HIM.
Senator WerIs replied to the renegade
Democrat and completely knocked mis-
res GdjudicdtG argument in the head by
saying that that doctrine briefly meant
that q matter once decided whether
rightly or wrongly was decided for all
time and could Not be reconsidered. 1t
was applicable to legal questions alone
where rights between parties were 10 be
established by the courts. The doctrine
never entered into parliamentary law and
it was made rule that it should not by
!. both the constitutions of the United
States and of New Jersey, which provided
that each legislative body should be the
judge OF the qualifications ofits members
The senate of 1890 was the judge of the
qualifications of it's meinbe and SO the
senate of 1891 was OF its members. On
January IA, 1890 the senator from Hudson
county was sworn in and ii Stuhr's doc
triIe OF res odjtsditdtd was TO hold the
Republicans lad no right to depose him
last spring.
During mis- remarks Senator werts
shook his finger at StuhT and referred to
him as the Senator from Hudson with
subtle sarcasm which was most refresh
ing Stuhr replied in his former strain at
n length which wearied all present and
moved an ovei-enthusiastic cifizen from
Monmouth TO ask President Adtain il the
senate would take care of his family If
he killed Stuhr.
GARDNER HEARD FROM
Then Gardner, the chief OF the conspir-
acy that robbed Hudson of its represent
ative III the Senate, attempted TO justify
his completely ia that robbery. He was
in the midst Of one OF his cunning sophis-
tries, and had denounced the argument
of Senator Werts as the plea OF a high
wayman, when President Adrain dryiy re-
marked that the gentleman from Atlantic
ought 10 be pretty well acquainted with
that pea. The galleries and lobbies
thundered again with applause at this
sally and 1t required some vigorous pound
ing on the stoue by the President to re-
store order. He had completely taken
the wind out of the sails of the ex-ooss
aud after feeble attempt TO get back at
the witty President Gardner sat down.
A vote was then taken upon the resoiu-