Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-18

Skirm. They said that they had been
honestly elected and were entitled TO
occupy their seats in the Senate cham
Der. Brute force had prevented them
from SO doing until to-day, and prob
ably would continue to do so In the
future, but If any movement of force
was to be inaugurated the Democrats
would have to be first in the field. 1t
made no difference where they met, and |
If they were barred out Of their own |
chamber in the future they would meet
elsewhere. They were, perhaps, re-
creant in not having entered the cham
Der by force yesterday, but that would
have led to bloodshed.
After the adoption Of the resolution
the Senate adjourned until Monday
morning next.
TRENTON, N. j., Jan. 11.-There were
five Republican doorkeepers in charge
Of the Senate chamber all night, A. few
minutes before 10 o'clock this morning
Democratic Senators Hinchliffe Of Pas
safe and Winton Of Bergen, followed by
200 or 300 men, approached the cham
Der. One Of the Republican doorkeepers
| opened the doors and the crowd entered.
Michael Nathan, the Democratic SER
| geant-at.arms, then ordered the Repub-
lican doorkeepers out and pushed one
of them slightly. This was what the
Republicans expected and wanted.
Their doorkeepers walked out quietly.
| The Democrats were thus again in
possession of their chamber. There
was no excitement whatever.
TRENTON, N. j., Jan. Ex-senator
Rogers, president of the Republican
Senate, accompanied by Wilbur A.
Mott, secretary of that body, appeared
at the State House promptly at 10
o'clock this morning.
Rogers knocked for admission at the
Senate doors and the Democratic door
keepers inside opened the door for him.
Secretary Mott and the United Press re-
porter slipped into the chamber at the
same time.
President Rogers went to the presid
ing officers chair and Mott called the
roll. President Rogers declared the alb
scnce of a quorum and added: 1.-THE
Senate stands adjourned until next
Monday night at 3 O'clock" He and
Mott then left.
President Adraiu of the Democratic
, Senate, arrived at 1890 o'clock, and
journal Clerk Pintard called the roll
for him. "There being no quorum
present." said Adrain, "the Senate
stands adjourned until to morrow morn
ing at 1890"
, President AdTain then left the STATE
, house and the Democratic doorkeeperi
again locked the doors of the chamber
TRENTON, N. j., Jan. 16.-Governoi
t Werts sent Attorney General Stockton
( opinion on the legal status of the two
J Senatcs TO both organizations this fore
' noon, and with it brief message as fol
lows, addressed to Senator Adrain a
: "President pro tenn. of the Senate":
!. l enclose herewith the reply of tn
Encouragement whereby l am advises
that the body over which you have tn
: honor temporarily to preside is the con
/, stitutional Senate, and that the bod.
: organized under the presidency of MI
K Rogers does not represent the Senate o
e New Jersey. understand that the bod
\ presided over by Mr.. Rogers is compose
!, Of IL persons. four of whom are concede
!; to be constituent members of the bod
over which you preside but who (althoug
d for time present therein and partic
II pating in the proceedings thereof witt
l. drew therefrom and associated themselvt
with seven persons who claim to have crI
- dentials regular in form emitting them
:, seats in the Senate, but which credentia
L have not been submitted to or passed upo
!, by the body decided by the attorne!
u general to be the constitutional Senate.
20 ] understand, further, that the reaso
10 assigned for the withdrawal of said fol
n mem bers was an alleged apprehensio
Il that course might be adopted by I'll
- Senate with reference to the credentials
i. applying members different from tn
10 hitherto pursued.
Realizing that the existence Of du
ID bodies was probably owing to misappr
at hension as to the course TO be pursue
towards applying members, presentiI
in credentials regular in form, | request
- the encouragement to further advise n
r. as to what has been the course and praeti
~ of the Senate with reference. to the adm
ISL sion of newly elected members and VIII
ut are the constitutional powers Of the Sena
al as Judges of the election, qualification
n. and returns of its members In reference
n the admission Of members OH their crede
- tials.
.e The replies OF the encouragement
W such further inquiries are also embodi
Ut in his enclosed opinion. While 1t seei
y ingly appears that as matter simply
nd absolute power and responsible only at t
NO bar of public opinion, the Senate, in JUG
nj ing OF the election, qualifications and
turn of its own members is practically
law unto ITSELF" and, while it is not I
ist right or province to dictate or even reco
OK mend what course 1t should pursue
lie, dealing with the credentials Of apply
ed members, nevertheless, in view of I
are apparent cause of the existing situate
M presume to direct special attention to
portion Of opinion OF the learned attorn
W general, wherein it is stated that when ii
3D. (the credentials) are in proper form a
ate there is no dispute as to the authority
ms the party who makes the certificate, it
| . nd nj N a
I'VE the United States and | believe in
Senateo of New Jersey, to admit the claim
-. to his seat, Notwithstanding an attack
SoV protest or otherwise had been made
WI the validity of the election" 1t would
led thus seen to be the common law of
ys, legislative bodies mentioned, establish
ing by uniform custom and precedent, thu
&c, claimant presenting credentials regular
form and attested by proper author
should, in the first instance, be sea
lelr thereon.
md am not aware that any different rul
liet sought or intended to be applied in
Re- present Senate.
! ~ shall transmit copy hereof, toget
with copy or the opinion of the attorr
an- general, to Hon. Maurice A. Rogers, in
ack hope that the matter thus presented l
ing, be brought to the attention of both bo
10 and suggest the proper solution OF
present complication.
the GEORGE T. VERT
ote, THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE SUSTAIN
pro, The opinion of Attorney GEN
Sou Stockton, on the legal status of the
Senates Of New Jersey, was made pu
.oy to-day.
ing The opinion throughout upholds
'nai Democratic organization and the
ana torney-general quotes copiously +
e OF authorities in substantiation of his clG
.H nm n ,,r-, 81 ;a