The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-01-23
THE RIVAL SENATES.
Still No Settlement of jerseys
Legislative Snarl,
AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR.

The Democrats Refuse to Recognize the
Republican, Claims, and the Latter
Send Communication Co the Chief
Magistrate.
TRENTON, Jan 23.-The Democratic SEN
ate opened with prayer last night and
then took a recess for half an hour to give
the conference committees from the two
senates an opportunity TO meet The
Democratic members of the committee
had agreed to present their reply in writ
ing to the proposition of the Republicans
made last week The Republicans de-
manded that the credentials of the sena-
tors-eleot be received and every one seated
without question. The reply presented
by the Democrats was refusal of this
demand in the following language;
1.-THE state senate of New Jersey, hav-
ing given full consideration to the propo-
sition 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, submit the follow
ing proposition:
"First, that no member of the state sen
ate can lawfully agree to vote to admit
test presented against his admission. 1t
is, in the opinion of 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
| elections, returns and qualifications of its
members. To accede to the proposition
presented would be to say that if a citizen
of Russia presented a certificate of cleo
tion he must, without question, be ad-
mitted to membership.
"Second, that it is the duty Of the in
| Quoted senator's of New Jersey to meet
and proceed with the business of the state.
| There can be but one state senate, which
is already organized. We should be happy
TO facilitate any steps taken to obtain ad-
| judication upon the legality of our organ
| ization.n
The following communication was sub
sequently presented to Governor Werts
by the Republican senator's:
eve have learned from communica-
tions made to us unoflicially that it is
your desire TO have the contest existing
between the two bodies presided over by
Senator Rogers and Senator Adrian, re
| spectively, terminated. We are informed
that you have suggested that this may be
accomplished by observing what the at
torney general, in his recent opinion
| given to you, declares to be the universal
custom governing the organization OF
legislative assemblies; that is to recog
nize the right of all the newly elected sen
ators who hold certificates of their elec
tion regular in form and from the proper
certifying authority to take their seats il
the body to which they were chosen anC
thus commissioned, and to participate il
its organization and proceedings, anC
that if the senators constituting the body
presided over by Senator Rogers shoulC
present themselves with their credential,
at the chamber in which the body pre-
sided over by Senator Adrian holds it,
session they will be at once received anC
allowed to take their seats, with all thu
rights of members of the senate of thi
state
eve are willing, on receiving satisfac
tory assurances from you and from thr
body presided over by Senator Adrian
that the usual customs will in this cas
he observed, to take the course of actor
indicated. With a view, as we understand
it, of securing the result you seem to de
sire, a committee from the body presided
over by Senator Adrian met with a SINH
lar body appointed by us. Our PROPOSE
tiOn made to that committee is herein in
closed for your information 1t was ou
purpose therein to express our willingness
o. accept, as basis for the settlement o
Che present unfortunate controversy, tn
suggestions made by you as above stated
We desire to know whether our infOrma
tfon as to the position thus assumed b.
you as the chief executive officer of tn
state is correct, and whether we may rel.
upon your cooperation in etiecting a set
Element upon that basis"
This was signed by all the Republican
. senators.
g. Governor Werts, in reply, stated that IA
would send his reply to the above TO tn
Republican senators today.
The Republicans held conference afte
the adjournment of the senate at whic
the reply of the Democratic senate was rt
ceived and the whole situation discussc.
1t was decided to proceed with the pas
sage of all such laws as they consider TIA
people demand in the way Of reform an
such as were in issue at the election las
fall. These laws will be pushed throug
rapidly, and both houses will then take
recess until some time in the summer
They propose to hold several sessions o.
this kind during the year.