Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-27
motion of Mr.. Sherman, laid over without

motion of Mr.. Sherman, laid over without
action.
The consideration of the Idaho election
case was taken up. Mr.. Vance continued
his argument in favor of Mr.. Claggett.
Much of his argument Was devoted to the
refutation of Mr.. Tuprie's claim that the
organization of the Idaho Legislature was
complete when its members met, Mr.. Vance,
quoting from Webster's dictionary and
other pathological and legal authorities the
definition of the word Organization, and
holding that as Mr.. Dubois election took
place the dav before the formal organization
that election was null and of no effect.
Mr. CIaggett Talks for Himself
AT the close of Mr. Vance's speech the
conference report on the census deficiency
bill was presented and agreed to, and bill
was reported and placed on the calendar
appropriating $500, 900 for public building
at Boise City, Idaho. The Idaho election
case was then again taken up, and Mr.
Claggett, the contestant, was presented to
the Senate by Mr.. Stewart, and recognized
by the presiding officer as entitled (under
yesterdays resolution) to address the
Senate for two hours.
Mr.. Claggett took his stand at Mr.. Hale's
desk and slowly, distinctly and in a clear,
musical tone of voice began his speech. He
thanked the Senate on behalf of the State
which he represented for the privilege ex-
tended to him, not so much to present any
personal claim as to yindicate the action of
the State of Idaho in holding a second cleo
ton in the month of February, 1891, and
sending him to the Senate to represent that
State. If there was nothing in the contro-
versy except the mere question as to
whether the sitting member or himself was
ad 10 he fad he
not have ventured to ask the privilege of
presenting the reasons why the controversy
should be determined in the manner re-
ported by the minority of the committee. 1t
was because there were matters involved in
the controversy compared with which the
personal fortunes of any man were abso-
lutely immaterial, that the privilege had
been solicited and had been granted.
Every State Interested.
The question involved did not only affect
the State of Idaho, continued Mr.. Claggett
1t not only affected that State, but it affected
vitality every State in the Union. It was
the boast OF the American people that they
lived under a Government of law, and if
that were so, then it was absolutely neces-
say that in all parts of the common domain,
and, above all, in the Senate, the highest
and most conservative legislative body to
be found on the earth, the laws should be
vindicated and their substantial request be
Mr.. Claggett went on to discusss the de-
tails of the question and to critic the
majority report, He was frequently inter-
rupted by questions. So much of his time
was occupied listening and replying to these
questions that the limit of time was, on
motion of Mr.. Vance, withdrawn, and he
was permitted to speak without any time
limitation. His argument appeared to
interest Senators very much, and they
listened to it on both sides of the Chamber
with very close attention. There was also
q large audience in the galleries to listen to
the speech. He created general laughter
when he wound up description of Mr..
Dubois election tactics by saying that, to
use Western phrase, the sitting member |
was bound to ''Get there, Eli
After he had spoken about two hours, but |
without finishing his speech, Mr.. Claggett |
yielded the floor, and the Idaho case went |
over without action. A bill appropriating |
$50, 900 for a public building at Grand |
Island Neb, was reported and placed on
The calendar.
After a short executive session the Senate |
adjourned till Monday.