Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-26
CRISIS IN KANSAS.
Democrats and Populists Pool
Their Issues.
JOHN MARTIN CHOSEN FOR SENATOR

Republicans Take No Part in the Pro-
ceeding, but Later Take a Vote on the
Same Matter without Ouorum-Prob-
ability That Two Democrats VIII Be
Sent to Neutrality-suspicious. in ihe
Illinois Ldegislature-The Wisconsin Con-
test-A Democrat Nearly Gets There"
in North Dakota
TOPEKA, Kas., Jan. 26-Amid intense
excitement and under the most peculiar
circumstances surrounding an election of
this kind Judge John Martin, leader of
the fusion Democracy of Kansas, was yes.
terday afternoon elected to the senate by a
combination Of Populists and Democrats.
Martin received the solid vote of the
twenty-five Populists and Democrats in
the senate; id the Populist house he re-
ceived h2 votes, this number including sew
eral of those who have been seated by the
Populists on contests But his election
leaves the situation as complicated as be-
fore. Though be is declared elected it was
done by the votes of house the constit-
tutionality of which is in doubt
VIII BE Two Democratic Senators.
The Republicans and the stalwart Demo
Gratis claim that the election is a farce by
reason that the Populist house is an illegal
body and noneof its acts can be legal. The
Republicans find themselves in predica-
ment for the reason that they are unable to
muster a quorum to vote on senator and
will not be ali to do so until their rights
in the house have been passed upon by the
courts. If theScourts decide that the Re
publicans have the constitutional lower
house then they will elect another senator
who will undoubtedly be a straighout
Democrat, and the contest for recognition
will be Transferred to Washington. The
morning was busily spent by the leaders
of the factionstrying to keep their men in
line The supreme moment came few
| nements afrer noon.
Vote for Senator Begun.
AT 1910 ocsock the two speakers an
nounced the litutenant governor and sen
ate, and Lieutenant Governor Daniels
stepped to the stand between Douglass
and Dunsmore and announced the object
of the joint conference. The senate and
house rolls We're called and the lieuten-
ant governor announced ninety-one MEM
bers of the joint convention answering to
| their names, ssxty-seven being of the Pop
ulist house, including those given seats on
contest, The hallot for United States sen
ator was then ordered, and proceeded qui
etly, each PopflssS e ss-yat ris:aS ard xa.=,
ing for JudgtA Martin until the name OF
Senator O'BrS = was reached.
First surpglsc OF the Session.
And this proved the first surprise of the
day, for to the astonishment of all O'Brien
rose and voted for Martin. The Populist
side of the house and the Populist sympa-
thiZers on the floor and in the gallery burst
into applause tat this, which had scarcely
| subsided when the name of Taylor was
reached, and he, too, voted for Judge Mar
| tin. This gaSe fresh provocation for ap-
plause, and the call had to be suspended
| until the presiding officer could restore or
der. The call closed with twenty-five SEN
ators voting for Martin and none against
him.
Hall TAkes n Bitter Dose.
The roll of the Populist house was now
called 1t proceeded quietly until Hall Of
Osborne was reached. He rose and said he
had been sentf TO Topeka to represent the
! Peoples party, and he wanted to do it ii =
best he could.T But he was in doubt about
| the action he was about to take II WIS
| the bitterest dose he was ever compelled to
swallow, but he must do it, much as he
hated Democracy. He voted for John
Martin. Wright of Edwards county, in
| explaining his vote said he thought Tues
day night he was going to Populist eau
Gus but fourA2 he had been entrapped ilt D
a Democratic stronghold. He voted for s.
II. Snyder.
| Vote OF the Populist Legislature.
Lieutenant Governor Daniels here called
attention to rule 47 of the senate requiring q
senators present to vote, and looked over