The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-31
Representative Warner Says that No Matter
What Steps Republicans Take the Senate
Will Be Organized by the Democrats.
Even if Quorum Is Not Present Con-
tested Election Cases Will Be Acted On.
Lively Time Expected on New Years Day
Gov. Humphrey Requested to Call the Kan
sas Legislature to Choose Senator.
THE NEW YORK OUTRAGE.
How the Democrats Hope to Complete the
Infamy Begun by the Courts.

How the Democrats Hope to Complete the
Infamy Begun by the Courts.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-Representative
John Dewitt Warner, of New York city.
who has just been added to the congress
sional ranks, and who is the personal and
confidential friend of ex-President Cleve-
land. said to-day that he expected to see q
lively racket In New York State on New
Years day. The Democratic Legislature
will not wait to make New Years calls,
but will assemble at noon or that day for
decisive test of strength. As Mr.. Warner
stated: ave are not yet out of the woods.
but we have the advantage of seeing sew
eral ways to get out. while the Republicans
are in the woods with no po ssible means of
getting out"
Mr.. Warner thus explained how the clash
was likely to come: The ranks of the DEM
ocratio and Republican Senators are now
exactly balanced, and under ordinary cir
cumstances the Democratic Lieutenant
governor would be able to cast the decid-
ing vote. But The trouble of New Years
day will be to secure quorum,
so that n vote may be taken
and the Lieutenant-governor may de-
termine the outcome. The full ranks
of the Democrats will not be sufficient to
constitute quorum. and until this quorum
is present no business can be done and the
Lieutenant governors prerogative of cast
ing the final vote cannot be exercised. Nat
usally, Mr. Warner says. the Republican
Senators will decline to be present and aid
in forming q quorum. for their absence will
be the only plan open to them for blocking
the control of the Democratic Senators.
With the Republicans thus absen ting them
selves all legislative business would be
paralyzed for time, but Me. Warner says
there are several flank movements which
the Democratic Senators may make in or
der to outgeneral the absentees. In the
first place there Is the hope that Senator
Osborne, Democrat whose title to o seat
is yet In question. may have his rights coI-
firmed by the courts before New Years day,
or so soon afterwa ard that business may pro-
ceed. but there is much doubt of THE. The
next move in case Osborne's vote cannot
be secured will be somewhat sensational in
character. Mr.. Warner says that while
the law will not permit legislative business
to be carried on in the absence of o quorum
he doubts very much if the laws go to the
extent Of prohibiting less than . quorum
of the members who are present and pre-
pared to do business TO 60 on and consider
the subject of contested elections. There
are several of these contests undecided,
and if less than q quorum can do business
under the law the Democratic Senators
who are present can settle some OF these
<.at ndw .tnnt lAr Ho
in spite of the absence of the Republicans.
But even should this move prove inexpedi-
ent by reason of legal objections. there is
another flank movement open to defeat the
organize the body by reading the names of
Senators. 1t is the usual custom to
include the names of contestants,
such as Senator Osborne and Others
and then set aside these names If
there is no objection, to them. But the
no objection, and the only way of securing
an objection is for some one of the absent
Republicans to come In and object TO the
seating of Osborne or the others. But no
sooner will this absentee put In an appear
ance for the purpose of making an 0biec-
tion than the quorum will be formed. The
mere presence of the 0bjectOr will in itself
allow him to be counted in, making q
qnorum, and In that case business can pro-
ceed.
These expedients. pro and con, indicate
what o lively game Of politIcs will be
played In New York State on New YEARS.
day. The calculations of the Democratic
are based largely upon the view that every
legislative assembly has right to deter
mine the question of it's own membership.
Thus far the courts have been dealing with
this membership, and this authority Of
tho courts will continue until noon
on Jan. /, but after that hour,
according to Mr. Warner. the jurisdiction
OF the court ceases and the States Senate
itself becomes the Judge of its member
ship Mr. Warner thinks that there are
safficient moves open to the Democratic
business, but he IS free TO admit that the
Repub ublican Senators can play tre-
mendously strong game by absenting the III
selves. But In any event he thinks pubiic
opinion would 90 against the absentees.
for they WOULD be placed In the position of
obstructihg business, and this position is