Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27
THE KANSAS sENAroRsHIP.


Mr. Martin May Not BE Permitted to ii
Once Take His Seat.
There is . diversity Of opinion. not only
among the Senators, but among the members
Of the committee on privileges and elections
~ to the exact standing Of Mr. Martin of Kan.
sas. who Il credited with being the Senator.
elect from that state, to ill the vacancy caused
by the death Of Mr.. Plumb and now tempo.
rarily filed by Mr.. Perkins by appointment of
the governor. The appearance of Mr.. Martin
at the Senate chamber bearing the certificate Of
the governor may be looked for at any day and
may precipitate prolonged and bitter election
contest, similar to those Of some years ago.
The fact that every vote in the Senate will be
| contested by the democrats, in furtherauce OF
their intention to, il possible organize the next
Senate, gives the case Of Mr.. Martin immedi-
ate importance
1t has escaped the mind Of some Of the me m.
bers Of the committee that the Kansas election
was to fill the vacancy caused by the death OF
Mr.. Plumb. whose term of Office did not expire
unit. the 4th Of March, 1895. and that Mr.
Perkins. the present incumbent. was only serv.
ing until the legislature should meet in regular
| session and choose his successor. As soon al
that successor has been regularly and legiti-
mately elected Mr.. Perkins ceases to be a United
States Senator
Under the peculiar conditions that exist in
Kansas the probable action of the Senate be-
comes an interesting matter for conjecture
The question is now being asked. will the Sem
ate recognize the certificate issued by the gov
ernor OF the state in which two legislatures are
contesting for recognition and both claiming to
have been legally organized. 1t is at this
point that even the members Of the committee
disagree and fail to interpret the precedents
alike.
One prominent member Of the committee on
nd nkc ha tat ion
OF the certificate will be taken as prims facie
evidence OF the legality of the election and
upon this the new member may be sworn in.
Then. In case Of a contest, the member him
self not voting. the Senate will pass upon the
case on its merits. Another member who has
In the past given great deal of at
tention to these contested election cases
points to the previous record Of the
Senate and says that that body must of it.
sell take cognizance of the existence of the dual
legislature Of Kansas which is sufficient to put
the title of the man holding the certificate I'M
der cloud and cause the Senate to refrain from
swearing him in until the cloud has been lifted
and the Senate determines which of the bodies
sitting as legislature is entitled to select the
Senator from Kansas. Under this view of the
case. which, II ~ believed. is held by the ma
jority Of The committee, the credentials of Mr.
Martin will be cent 70 the committee on priv
ileges and elections and remain there until the
mooted question 10 Glanosed of. In the mean
time Mr.. Perkins will hold to the seat to which
be was appointed nn.ii his successor is elected
and qualified.
Mr.. Perkins, is not. from all accounts, dis
rosei ~ fore9o his scat IL the Senaie wirhou. a
struggle. a3j will not cease hi resistance To a
Judgment Of custer until be AM. the republican
Dlemoers OF tie Senate are satisfied that the
Credentials OF the senator from Kansas are
gooc aud that he vas chosen by a body duly
organized. SOFT NAV happen tia, in the event
n oCrt nf a H.
main n RE Senate until the close OF the present
Congress. it is Just possible, too. that Mr..
Martin may refrain from presenting himself
until after the organization Of the next Senate