The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-19
CONTROL OF THE SENATE.
THE DEMOCRATS SURE TO HAVE
1T AFTER MARCa 4.

A Belief That the Governors OF the
states Now in a Deadlock Can FIJI
the Vacancies if the Legislatures Do
Not Do So Before the Time Expires.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.-The question
whether the governors Of the states which
have chosen no senator's within the time
allowed by law can proceed to fill the
vacancies has been informally discussed by
3 number of members Of the Senate COM
mittee on elections. and their opinion is
that the governors have the power. The
question has not been considered fully, but
the senator's who have expressed their
opinion say that ruling ought to be made
in the case which would not deprive
q state of its equal representation in
the Senate. The vacancy will
not exist until March 4, aud
the governor cannot well appoint until the
vacancy actually occurs, but it Is believed
that he can then designate a senator TO act
until choice is made at some subsequent
meeting Of the legislature. This will en-
able the republican governors of Washing
ton and Montana to appoint republican
senators, while the democratic governor Of
Wyoming will be able to designate demo-
crat, and the populist governor of North
Dakota democrat or populist. 1t will not
change materially the complexion of the
Senate to have the senators named by
the governors and they will not
be present when the Senate
meets in March to take part in the organi-
zation. There is reported to be a growing
feeling among the democratic senators that
it is not worth while to attempt reorgani-
zation of the Senate offices at the special
session of the Senate. Vice President
Stevenson will preside, and it will not be of
special Importance whether a President pro
tenn. is chosen or not, unless the democratic
senators desire to keep Judge Gresham one
degree further from the presidential sno-
cession. The democrats have now chosen
forty-three senators, including Judge
Martin of Kansas, without count
ing any of the populists. Ii four
vacancies exist on March 4 the Senate will
stand: Democrats 48, populsts 4, repub-
licans 81. The republicans cannot by any
combination of circumstances obtain a ma
jority in the Senate, even if Senators Stew
art and PETER act with them. One more
democratic senator will give that party
complete control Of the Senate, even when
it is full. and the forty-three senators al
ready chosen make clear majority of two
if four seats are vacant. The democratic
leaders may decide to 60 ahead with the
work Of reorganizing the committees
and choosing new officers, but
some of them are disposed
to walt until December. They will then
know their exact strength, the Senate will
be full and there will be no trouble in ad-
justing the committee places for the new
senators who afterward come in, If an
extra session of both houses of congress
should be summoned TO deal with the repeal
of the Sherman act and the bond QUESTION.
complete reorganization would be necessary
in order to secure committees in harmony
with Mr.. Cleveland's views.
NO CHANGE AT OLYMPIA.
OLYMPIA, WASH, Feb. 1S.-More than
half the members of the legislature were
absent to-day. The vote for United States
In the situation.
MoETANA's BALLOT.
HELENA, MONT. Feb. 1S.-The joint
ballot to-day resulted Clark, 18; Mantle,
25; Couch, |; Hunt. l; Dixon, IL.
NO ELECTION IN WYOMING.
CHEYENNE, WYo., Feb 18.-When the
joint session OF the legislature met at noon
10 ballot for senator a motion to adjourn
sine die was carried by two votes. The
democrats were afraid that Warren would
be elected and the republicans were afraid
that New would prove the winner. The
governor will appoint a senator. The House
adjourned sine die without having the
speaker sign the journal and leaving hun
dred important bills pending.
THREE BALLOTS AT BISMARCK.
BISMARCK, N. D., Feb. 18.-Three in.
effectual ballots for senator we're taken to-
day. There are but ten more working DAYS
of the session, and it is probable that Gov.
Shortridge will be left to appoint a senator
on March from among the populists.