The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-28
BILLY THOMPSON'S SEAT.
TALK OF mrs BEISS PROSECUTED
CRIMINGLLT.

Quo wsrrsnto Froeet dinss At Trenton.
TRENTON. N. J.. Feb 27.-The Republican As
| semblymen held a caucus this m otning to con-
| slider the advisability OF investigating the
election OF Assemblyman Thompson OF Cam
| den. who is tho owner OF the Gloucester race
| track. There was difference OF opinion as to
| the propriety OF beginning the investigation
| but the majority decided that II should be
made at once At the afternoon session Mr.
storrs introduced q resolution instructing the
| Elections Committee TO proceed with the In
| vestIgation. and investing the committee with
power to employ counsel. stenograrher. and .
| SerReant-at- Arms. to compel the attendance OF
| witnesses. and to take charge Of the ballot
boxes in Thorn pson's district.
Mr.. Harrlgan OF Essex denounced the propo-
sltlon as a scheme Of the Republicans to make
political capital which would cost many thou
sands OF dollars. Mr. Beekman thought that
as the committee was composed mainly OF
lawyers, there was no need to employ counsel.
| and he questioned the power OF q committee
| to take charge Of the ballot boxes. Republic
can lender Storrs said such serious charges
had been fled against Mr.. Thorn son that the
Duke OF Gloucester should welcome the In
| yestlEatlon. No partisan advantage was to be
| taken. and. II tho evidence showed that
Thompson was entitled to his seat. he would
not be disturbed.
Mr.. Thompson replied that he asked the full
est Investigation at the hands OF the House.,
but he wanted the right to be heard, person
ally and by counsel and witness. The State
should furnish him counsel also. The investi-
cation he declared to be prompted by petty
spite. but he hoped Il would be made at once.
II he was not entitled to his seat he did not
want to occupy It an hour. Mr. Olvaney the
Democratic member OF the Elections Commit
tee. complained that he had not been informed
by the majority OF the decision to order an in
vestiRation.
The discussion lasted about two hours and
was ended ny the House voting to postpone
action on the resolution until to orrow IN orn-
Appointed committee to look no n pTeesd S
as to the method VI employing and paying |
1t is said to be part oithe Republican scheme
70 get evidence to unseat Thompson. and then
polntnaa custodian OF Jaws and adjourned
for the week. The House approved the bond |
The Witnesses called before. Commissioner |
Dickinson this morning in the Senate quo |
ehanan, Charles II. BntenfAn. and Bernard J. |
Ford. The FIRST two are wspsper correspond;
of the doings on the day OF organization. was |
mainly to the fact that tenn porary Organization |
fore O'clock on Jan. o: that the Republicans
were admitted to the Senate chamber at 4 |
call the Secretary reported thirteen
Hdrsin that Quorum Was Present Wss Sh
CHALLENGED by the Republicans. .The Witnesses
alter the Rsp%biesns had wa" Sithd4RWn q To
ed hs he had ts
their desks and saw that his order had been
tahoeyed; he gave III no order for the removal OF
removed until after the session began. ON
Jan: he delivered all the keysoi the Senate
Senator Hoffman OF Atlantic county when
called this afternoon said he was in the Senate
desks: He noticed senator Brsdleys desk
DAY WSsn r. IN soahs IN he Saw
that Senator Bradley's name had been re-
tion. No Repu blican senator answered any
creden tiSls to the hold over. Senators aud was
Republican Senators marched to the State
House preceded by band OF music. He said
all the actions at their own organization.
J9nb GIb ;S and William southard
and then Senator Foster n vcorhses, one Of
the Republican, leaders. was called. lie said
before senators Hoffman and Ike Keteham. and
then at the same hotel. ministered the oath
tor stoIes wsted on senator hSrs ana at soon
on on me day OF organization 70 arrange with
the latter to be temporary prssidsnt but senn;
not accept the courtesy. a. he might be put
on. He also told them they must look out for
themselves at the organization. senator
Voorhees, said that. week before orGaniza-
Jan. 9 the name had disappeared. just after
the Republican Senators entered the chamber
then the proceedings began. No Republican
Senator answered to tina roll call After the
publicans had no douot Of the Intentions OF
the Democrats, and withdrew. The Senate
afternoon until the hour OF meeting Tuesday
afternoon, and the witness was unable TO getin.
whether, at the conference with President
Adrain. voorhees,. Stokes. and AdInin had not
OF the Senate chamber during the afternoon.
and Voorhees, admitted the agreement There
hotel to the Capitol. and some Of the Repuhii.
can senators were In the procession NJ. Nc
Knew oian instance In any Stnte, where newiS
elected members OF q BODY composed in part Of
IN
t iss case a IsI he New Jersey Senate In 1896
p" hut has ii never. been done since 1882"
Inquired Counsellor McDermott,
Nor has there been q DAILY resolution In
say that the Republicans had agreed to Insist
on the right Of all Senator'S elect to take seats
msa had sFsGs a al 'P the fspabcans bs
|
- Mr.. McDermott inquired whether senator
Voorhees, remembers that in 1887 the newly
elected Senators had been kept out Of their
seats thirty days by the Republicans. The
witness said he did, but that when they pre-:
sented their credentials they were seated at
once 1t was u fight for Senator then.
Yes: and you got tho Senator" said Me-
Dermott
Senator Voorhees, said the RepubIcans had
intended to stay In the Senate chamber and |
outvots the Democrats. but they feared thore
would be physical conflict and they were
not able to Outright them. He said the room |
in which the Republicans organized was a part
OF the senate chamber. ana gave as reason
for his knowledge that he had been fired out |
many times during executive sessions"
Then at no time were the Republicans out
OF the senate chamber that afternoon p IN
quiTsd Mr.. McDsrmott
No sir" responded Voorhees,.
This drew a smile from the lawyer, as IL was
an admission that the Republicans had not |
broken the Democratic quorum by their with !
drawal The Republican lawyers have been I
devoting special attention TO trying 70 prove |