The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-27
SENATORS DOUBTFUL
Regarding Legality Of appointment by
Governors.
Two REPORTS ARE PRESENTED
which Are Likely to Create Lengthy
Discussion-An Extra Session of Con-
gress Probabie-o Other News From the
Capital City.

WASHINGTON, March 27.-The sessions of
congress this week will be made interest
ing by the debate of the question of the
admissability to membership In the senate
of Messrs. Beckwith of Wyoming, Mantle
of Montana and Allen OF Washington on
certificates of appointment from the gov
ernors of their respective states, the legis-
latures having failed to elect. The major
ity and minority reports OF the commits
sion on privileges and elections were sub
nitted today to the senate. The question
argued in these reports is this: "Can the
governor of state appoint senator when
the legislature has refused to electf" 1t
raises an important and heretofore unde-
cided constitutional question, and the final
conclusion of the senate now may be of
great political importance some time in
the future.
The majority report was presented by
Senator Vance of North Carolina, chair
man of the committee, and minority re-
port by Hoar of Massachusetts,. Demo
Gratis constitute the larger fraction of the
majority members and Republicans the
larger fraction Of the minority members.
The majority report in general way Is
based on the proposition that in cases
like the present the vancacies in the repre-
sentations Of the several states in the SEN
ate do not happen" in the manner contem-
plated by the constitution when it author
izes appointments Of senator's by the
governor. The other view is that il is the
evident intention Of the constitution that
states should always be represented by two
senatots and that state should not be
| deprived of equal representation In the
| senate IL a senator appears to be holding
| reasonable claim to represent her. Accord
| ing to this view, a vacancy exists when
| the legislature fails to elect which the
governor is authorized TO fill by appoint
ment until the legislature again comes to-
gether.
Long Debate Expected.
| All the constitutional laws of the SEN
ate are expected TO take part in the debate
| which will follow, and it is not unlikely
that at least a week and perhaps ten days
| will be required to give them all full
| opportunity to express their opinions
| prior to taking vote. The outcome is in
a little doubt, but the probabilities would
seem to favor the adoption of the minority
view of the case, as the Republicans are
more solidly in favor of governors power
| of appointment than are the Democrats on
| the reverse of this proposition.
Such remaining time as is not devoted
| to the senatorial question, will probably
be largely spent in executive session con-
firIning nominations and considering the
| question OF the organization at this special
session of the election officers Of the SEN
ate. The Democrats have failed TO get the
Republicans to agree to compromise by
which the Democrats would get share Of
the salaries of these offices during the sum-
mer. A number of the Democratic sena-
tors are not disposed to prolong the special
sessions over these offices, and the indica-
| tions are that after trial to ascertain
whether or not the Republicans are fully
| determined to resist strenously filling of
the places at this time the attempt will be
abandoned in case il is seen that the Re-
| publicans will make a stubborn fight as
they assert they certainly will do.
The date of final adjournment is appar-
emily at least two weeks off and il looks as
| If il would be about the 10th of April be-
fore the dissolution of the special session
| occurs