Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-23
THE REPUBLICANS SUBMIT TERMS.
The Matter Ia Referred to Governor Werts.
Democratic Senators Still Refuse to Rec
ognize the Newly Elected Members, and
the Prospect For Peace Is Poor.


the Prospect For Peace Is Poor.
TRENTON, Jan. 23.-The Democratic SEN
ate opened with prayer and then took a re-
cess for half an hour to give the conference
committees from the two senates an CSpor-
tunity to meet. The Democratic memb ers
of the committee had agreed to put in writ
ing their reply to the proposition of the
Republicans made last week. The Repub-
icans demanded that the credentials of the
senators-elect be received and every one
seated without question. The reply printed
by the Democrats was refusal of this de-
mand in the following language:
The Democratic UItimatum.
The senate of New Jersey. having given full
consideration to the proposition that certain
gentlemen should be admitted to that body on
motion and without further examination of
their rights than is embraced in an inspection
of their credentials, submits the following
propositions:
First-That no member of the state senate
can lawfully agree to vote to admit an appli-
cant Notwithstanding any protest presented
against his admission. 1t is, in the opinion "a
this body, the duty of a senator to vote against
the admission of any one whom he deems not
entitled to a seat. The senate cannot lawfully
surrender its right to examine and pass upon
the election returns and qualifications of its
members To accede to the proposition pre-
sented would be to say that if a citizen of Rus
STA presented certificate of election he must
without question be admitted to membership.
Second-'That it is the duty of the indicted
senators of New Jersey to meet and proceed
with the business of the state; that there can
be but one state senate, which is already Or
gained; that we should be happy to facilitate
any steps taken to obtain adjudication upon
the legality of our organization.
The conference committees from both
senates were in session for nearly an hour,
but there was merely an exchange of pleas
antries after the written reply of the Dem
ocratic senators had been received.
The Republican members of the commit
tee before meeting with the Democratic
senators went to the executive rooms and
had an informal conference with Governor
Werts. They told the governor that they
had done all in their power, in accordance
with his request, to come to an understand
ing with the Democratic senate, and if
their propositions were rejected they could
do no more. The governor replied that he
had no knowledge of what the reply of the
Democratic senators would be and could
take no further action.
The Republicans to the Governor.
The following communication was subse-
quently presented to Governor Werts by
the Republican senators:
Hon. George T. Werts, Governor of the State Of
New Jersey:
DEAR SIR-We have learned from oommuni-
cations made to us unotficially that it is your
desire to have the contest eXising between the
two bodies presided over by Senator Rogers
and Senator Adrain terminated. We are in
formed that you have suggested that this may
be accomplished by observing what the attor-
ney general, in his recent opinion given to you,
declares to be the universal custom governing
the organization of legislative assemblies-that
is, TO recognize the right of all the newly elect
ed senators who hold certificates of their cleo
ton, regular in form and from the proper GER
tifying authority, to take their seats in the
body to which they were chosen and thus COM
missioned and TO participate in its organiza-
ton and proceedings, and that if the senators
constituting the body presided over by Senator
Rogers should present themselves with their
credentials at the chamber in which the body
presided over by Senator Adrain holds its ses-
sion they will be at once received and allowed
to take their seats, with all the rights of men,
bers of the senate of this state.
We have carefully considered the sugges-
tons thus committed to us, and we believe it
to be our duty in the interest of good govern
ment to waive all questions of mere formality
in the matter of organization and proceed to
discharge the duties imposed upon US by the
constitution.
We are willing, therefore, on receiving salts
factory assurance from you and from the body
presided over by Senator Adrain that the usual
customs will in this be observed, to take
the course of action Indicated With a view,
as we understand it, of securing the result you
seem to desire, n committee from the body pre-
sided over by Senator Adrain met with SIM
liar body appointed by Our proposition
made to that committe is herein iuclosed for
your information. 1t was our purpose therein
to express our Willingness to accept as basis
for the settlement of the present unfortunate
controversy the suggestions made by you
above stated. We desire to know whether our
information as to the position thus assumed by
you as the chief executive officer Of the state is
correct, and whether we may rely upon your
cooperation in effecting settlement upon this
basis.
This was signed by all the Republican
senator's Governor Werts stated in reply
that he would send his reply to the above
to the Republican senators today