New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
THE DUPONT CASE UP AGAIN.
LITTLE CHANCE OF A DECISION ON THE
MERITS OF THE QUESTION.
DAY. AND THE CASE MAY GO OVER
r-Nr1T. NrYr WINTER

MOTION TO POSTPONE WILL BE IN ORDER To-
DAY. AND THE CASE MAY GO OVER
UNTIL NEXT WINTER.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIPuNE1
Washington, May 14.-According to the unani-
nous agreement reached nearly two weeks ago.
the Senate to-day resumed consideration Of the
Dupont election case, with the understanding
that debate is to end and voting begin at o'clock
tomorrow afternoon. 1t Is not unlikely that
before a vote is reached on the main question
Of Colonel Duponts title a Senator-elect
from Delaware. q motion to postpone the
until next session will be interposed.
Under parliamentary rules such motion will
have precedence OF the main question. and II
carried will effectualy dispose OF the contest
for the time being The friends OF Colonel Du-
pont realize that in the present demoralzed and
uncertain condition of political and party senti-
ment In the Senate. his claim to a seat has little
chance to be decided impassionatey or on its
real merits. They willing therefore. to allow
a vote to be postponed until next winter, when
the Senate will undoubtedly reassemble In
more settled and rational mood
1t is said that Mr.. German and Mr.. Turpie will
endeavor tomorrow to construe the unanimous
consent agreement so as to include final
vote on the Delaware contest, and will protest
against the submission Of motion to postpone
violation Of the terms accepted by both sides
two weeks ago. Yet 1t Is evident that a motion
to postpone will be entirely in order. and II car
ried will operate a practical settlement OF the
contest for this session.
To seat Colonel Dupont tomorrow forty-fve
votes will be required. The Republicans now
have forty-four seats in the Senate. which con-
sists Of eghty-nine members. Thirty-nne Of the
remaining forty-nve are Democrats. while six
Popullsts. A majority of the Senate Is there
fore forty-hve, and to secure this the Republicans
need one of the six votes IN the independent class
Senator's Jones and Stewart OF Nevada.
to vote for Dupont. but Mr.. Stewart. 1t Is under
stood has recently expressed himself as antago-
nistic to seating the Delaware claimant. On all
previous tests Of strength on the Dupont case
both Mr.. Stewart and Mr. Jones have refrained
from voting. 1t IL not considered improbable
however that one and both II necessary will Join
the Republican Senators in postponing decision
until Congress meets again.
The resolution of the Committee on Privileges
and Elections declaring Henry A. Dupont en-
titled to a seat in the Senate from the State OF
Delaware taken up at 2:40 o'clock, the al
tentative resolution being the substitute offered
by Mr.. Turpit (Dem., IndD, n member II the
same committee. declaring Mr.. Dupont not en-
titled to the seat. Earlier In the days session
the question was raised as 10 the time FOR taking
the vote and Mr. German (Dem., Md remarked
that the vote on the resolution was by the agree
ment heretofore entered into. 10 he taken at .
o'clock tomorrow. In this Mr. Mitchell Gep.
Ore). in charge Of the resolution. assented. with
the suggestive words: What particular vote II
will be will be determined then
Mr.. Platt Rep.. Comm argued In support Of
the committees resolution.