The sun., 1891-11-30
An Ohio Controversy.

Il now seems probable that serious
effort will be made by the leaders OF the
Republican party In Ohio to deprive Mr..
CALVIN s. BRIcE OF tho scot In the Senate OF
tho United States to which he has been
elected by the Ohio Legislature.
Strong Indications Of such an intention
are to be found In the discussion which took
place at the meeting Of the Republican State
Central Committee at Columbus on Friday
and in the letter which was published yes
terday from Senator SHERMAN to Mr.. l.. w.
KING, the Chairman OF that committee. In
this letter Mr.. SHERMAN says that his
attention has frequently been called
to the expediency OF presenting to
the Senate the question OF Mr.. BR1cE's oil
Ribility to seat In that body. and tho best
mode OF proceeding to that end. He do
clarcs that the certificate Of election from
tho Governor Of Ohio will insure Mr.. BRIcE's
admission on the first day OF tho session;
but that his right to romain In tho Senate
will not thereby be determined. II 1t can he
shown that he was not an inhabitant Of
Ohio when elected.
at is clear" Senator SHERMAN goes on
to say. "that any declaration by me or any
one that he was not such IN inhabitant will
not prevent his taking q seat; and such
declaration by mo would not only be futile.
but eminently improper. as I have to pass
judiclally on the question after full hearing
and trial"
Notwithstanding his appreciation Of the
judicial capacity In which he may be called
upon to act In passing upon Mr.. BRIcE's
title to the seat which he claims In the SEN
ate, Mr.. SHERMAN proceeds to suggest two
methods by which tho claim Of his Demo-
cratic colleague may be tested: and the
more fact that. after certain previous eH-
preseions on the subject, he makes these
suggestions. shows that at all events he
deems it expedient to question Mr.. BRIcE's
claim. The first method which he pro-
poses is the presentation Of q memorial to
the Senate Of the United States by the Re-
publican State Committee Of Ohio. The
second method Is the passage Of joint
resolution by the two Houses Of tho Ohio
Legislature when they meet In January
next. "The question would then arise"
says Mr.. SHERMAN. " whether the Legisla-
ture may not assume that q vacancy exists
by reason OF Mr.. BR1cE's ineligibility, and
elect Senator In his place who can contest
the matter and present and marshal the
testimony taken"
Here is plain invitation to create Re-
publican claimant for Mr.. BR1CEs place
who will have direct personal as well as
political interest in trying to GUST that
gentleman from tho Senate.
Section Of Article /. OF the Constitution
OF the United States provides that no person
shall be Senator "who shall not have at
tained to the age OF thirty years and been
nine years citizen Of the United States.
and who shall not when elected be an in
habitant Of that State for which he shall be
chosen" The chsrgein the case Of Mr.. BR1CR
Is that when elected a Senator from Ohio he
was not an inhabitant Of that State. That he
had voted in Ohio for years Is not denied
Indeed. at the meeting Of the Republican
State Committee on Friday one Of the mem-
bers declared it to be an established fact
that Mr.. BR1cE had been legal voter in
Ohio for many years; and no asserted that
Mr.. BRICR's residence In the State was so
well known that proof would be forthcoming
from every township and hamlet to sustain
his claim.
Now. while 1t IL true that the mere fact
that a man has voted once in o particular
State does not necessarily determine the
question OF his legal domicilc. yet the cxcr-
ciso of the right Of suffrage in the same
place. year after year, amounts to very
strong proof on that subject. in the case
Of Mr.. BIICE the Legislature has acted on
that proof and treated II as sufficient to es-
tablish that he Was an inhabiiant of Ohio at
The time he was chosen to the Senate. This
detorminationis is conclusive unless the Senate
at Washington. which is authorized by the
Constitution to judge of the election and
qualifications OF Its own members. shall de-
termine the question differently; and we
are quito confident. even taking the Repub-
lican statement OF the case. that no evil
dence will be forthcoming to justify tho
attack on Mr.. BucE's title. which has now
been sot on foot in Ohio with the sanction
OF Senator SHERMAN.
College Popularity.
In aaaorfad nv n wrifar In n rurrppt