Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-23
IN THE HOTEL cokRrpoRs.

number az wen-knowu democratic po,iti-
clans from Montana are In the city and are dis
c,1ssing anHiously the possible action OF the
Senate in seating the appoinseos o. the govern
ors OF the states Of Montana, Washington and
Wyoming.
Among those who have just arrived and who
are stopping at welcker's are ". A. Clark. the
caucus nominee for senator from Montana; ".
r. Kenyon. chairman Of the state central aem-
ocrsuc committee: Maj MAginnls aud William
MeDermott. In lsss. when there WAS demo-
cratic and a republican legislature IN Montana,
Mr.. Clark elected senator by the demo-
cratic BODY.
In discussing the situation with THE srAn
representative this morning prominent Mon
tana democrat said:
The question whether the Senate win seat
the governors appointees. while IL Of course
possesses great local importance. has . ma
nonA signlhcance. Ii will establish Q prece-
dent. the influence Of winch will he feit for
years 20 come and viii affect both parties.
L have talked with many Of the Senators on
The subject. and while the opinions are divided
the sentiment seems to me 60 be that the Sem
ate VIII not seat the appointecs. IL the senate
should seat them IL would establish a NOS, dan
gerous precedent and would he an act which. IN
the uncertainty q; events. human I'D polit,oal
which might change the entire COMPLEXION of
the Senate during the fifty-third Congress.
ne senate Is nov barely democratic. IL Il
seats Mr. Beekwith. the democratic nominee
from wyoming. a. must NECESSARILY s.at Mr.
mantle. The republican Appointee from Mon.
tana. and Mr.. Allen. the republican apnoin,ss
from Washington This viii strengthen the
republican side two votes aud nearly wine ont
the democratic majority. IL would he entirely
wiped ont should n contingency arise which Z.
not impossible. Assuming that q Democratic
Senator from a state witch has a rapublicsn
governor should dle and IL il within the bound,
"i possibility that more tnan one might die his
place or their places would he filed by q re-
pnbhc6n appointed by the republican governor
Thus would the democratic majority be viped
out
III the Senate should decline To seat the ap-
pointees their respective states woald not be
without approximation. an argument which has
oeen adN anced. Tor their respective governors
c"uia cal an extra session OF the legislature for
the purpose Of filliug the vacancies or then
subject the state to non-rep7essniation. The
great danger OF establishing the precedent OF
seating these men would lie in the fact that 10
would give the governors too great a power
and power not contemplated by the provisions
OF the Constitution. The Constitution coutem-
plates only that the gogernor NAV appoint in
| case OF a snort vacancy. as bg death or expul-
SION, but no; TO initiate new term. IL IL the
| intention Of the Constitution that the people
through the legislature, will eject their sena-
torIal representatives. and b. allowing the gov
| ernor to initiate n new term annuls 4
IF this precedent is carried out legislatures
wouid become careless. would defeat the will Of
| the people. and where there is q bare legisIa-
| tive majority of one or two. ~ is so often the
case. one or two men acting in COLLISION with q
governor OF opposite faith would throw the ap-
4 po1ntment into his hands. This would give the
governor OF n remote state IN the case OF q
bare majority in the United States Senate. the
tremendous and dangerous power TO com
pietely change the political complexion OF the
United States Senate. and the far reaching and
politically disastrous effects of such possible
condition of affairs is certainly apparent to any
| one"