Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-29
ISSUES TO DEBATE.
Senate Takers Have a Great
Opportunity.
THREE POINTS TO QUARREL OVER.


Roach, and Appointees of Governors
No Averting a Look Into Roach's Re-
cord-The Election Matter to Come Up
in Open Senate-Ex-Presideat Harri-
sons Brother an Applicant for Once
The Real Point of Objection tn That
Russian Treaty.
WASHINGTON, March 29.-The resolu-
tions for the election of officers of the SEN
ate-W. r. Cox, of North Carolina, as sec
retary; Richard j. Bright, of Indiana, as SER
geant-at-arms, and Rev. Mr.. Milburn as
haplain-coupled with conditions that
they shall not enter on the discharge of
their duties until the s0th of June next, up
to which time the present incumbents are
TO remain in office, were offered in the SEN
ate yesterday and went over. The case of
Senator Roach, of North Dakota. was
brought before the senate in the shape of a
resolution, offered by Hoar, directing the
committee on privileges and elections to
investigate the allegations of criminal en-
bezzlement and to report the facts. This
resolution also went over.
Will BE an Open senate Fight.
The introduction by German of the SEN
ate caucus resolution providing for a re-
ID
means a transfer of the struggle from
secret session to the open sessions of the
senate. All compromise having failed and
all attempts to adjust the matter amicably
in private having come to naught the fight
is now to be waged in the open field. Just
what the outcome will be cannot be pre-
dicted, but there is reason to be-
lieve that both sides are half
hearted in the matter, and it is
safe to say that a majority of the senators
really do not feel sufficient interest in the
reorganization to make very spirited
contest on either side of the proposition.
Of course this seeming apathy may vanish
as the fight progresses and hard things are
said in the course of the debate.
The Proposed Roach Inquiry.
Careful inquiry discloses the fact that
the resolution looking to the investigation
of the charges against Roach were pre-
sented by Hoar of his own volition and
not as the result of any caucus action. 1t
is also evident that some Republican sena-
tors do not look with favor upon the prop
osition. They hold that the acts of a man
before his election a senator is not a
proper subject of investigation, provided
they have no Connection with his election.
In support of;this proposition one Repub-
lican senator cited the-eeport made to ths
mouse Dy S1enerai Butter Wnen ne was
chairman of the judiciary committee
which was called upon to pass upon a sim
liar question.
Bound to Investigate Now.
The Democratic senators We're plainly
vexed at Hoar's move. although they had
had timely notice of his intention through
the medium of the newspapers. 1t is init
mated that the Democratic steering COM
mittee will consult upon the matter and
agree upon the course that shall be pur-
sued in the disposition of the resolution.
But if the opinions of the Democratic sena-
tors are any indication there does not ap-
pear to be any feasible way to stop the in
vestigation now Under the practice of
the senate any senator can secure an inves-
tigation of almost any matter within rea-
son and any attempt to prevent the present
inquiry might be looked upon as an ad
mission of guilt.
Wants 1t Made Sweeping.
One of the leading Democratic senators
said that even if Roach had committed any
offense as charged, it was when he was a
young man; he had gone west and lived an
upright life and had been credit to his
adopted state. Now if it were proposed to
60 into an investigation of this kind it
might as well be made sweeping and take
in the personal character and antecedents
of every senator on the floor