The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-23

Republicans Claims, and the Latter
Send q copmunication to tho Chief
Magistrate
TRENTON, Jan, 23,-!The Democratic SEN
ate opened with prayer last night, and
then took 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-elect be received and every one seated
without question. The reply presented
by the lemocrats was a refusal of this
demand In the following language;
1.-THE state senate of New Jersey, hav-
ing given full consideration TO the propo-
sltion that certain gentlemen should be
admitted to that body oil 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
an applicant, Notwithstanding any pro-
test presented against his admission. It
is, in the opinion Of this body, the duty OF
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 il citizen
of Russia presented a certificate of cleo
ton he must, without question, be ad-
mitted to mbership.
Second, that 1t is the duty of the In
Quoted senators 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.
Indication upon the legality of our organ
ization."
The following communication was sub
sequently presented to Governor werts
by the Republican senators:
I'VE have learned from communica-
tions made to us unofficially 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 Mt.
torney general, in his recent opinion
given to you, declares to be the universal
custom governing the Organization OF
Legislative assemblies; that is, to recoy-
nize the right OF all the newly elected SEN
ators who hold certificates OF their cleo
tion regular in form and from the proper
certifying authority to take their seats in
the body to which they were chosen and
thus commissioned, and to participate in
its organization and proceedings, and
that IL the senators constituting the body
presided over by senator Rogers should
present themselves with their credentials
at the chamber in which the body pre-
sided over by Senator Adrian holds its
session they will be at once received and
allowed to take their seats, with all the
rights of members of the senate of this
state,
I'VE are willing, on receiving satisfac.
tory assurances from you and from the
body presided over by Senator Adrian.
that the usual customs will in this case
be observed. 10 take the course of action
indicated. With view, as we understand
1t, 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
ton made to that committee is herein in
Closeu LOT 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 as above stated.
We desire to know whether our informa-
tion as to the position thus ass umed by
you as the chief executive officer of the
state is correct. and whether we may rely
upon your cooperation in effecting a set.
Element upon that basis"
This was signed by all the Republican
senators.
Governor Werts. In reply, stated that he
would send his reply TO the above TO til,
Republican senator's today.
The Republicans held a conference afte,
the adjournment of the senate at which
the reply OF the Democratic senate was re
ceived and the whole situation discussed.
II was decided to proceed with the pas
sage of all such laws as they consider the
people demand in the way of reform, and
such as were in issue at the election last
fall. These laws will be pushed through
rapidly, and both houses will then take
recess until some time in the summer.
They propose to hold several sessions of
this kind during the year.