Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-03-19
rrcm our wn.niorlon corresnonaonl.

clare Their Opposition to Such Cnsc-
Why the Case Was Temporarily Set Aside.
From Our Washington Correspondent
Washington, March 1s. There seems
TO be little foundation for tho report,
which has gained considerable circu.
lation in the last few days, that the
du Pont case will be held un until the
next session of Congress- Prominent
Republican Senators who have been
interviewed on the subject disclaim
any knowledge OF such an intention,
and all cypress themselves as being
opposed to such course.
Tho rumor seems 10 have gained
credence by reason of tho resolution
being allowed to go over, thereby
losing its status rs the unfinished busi-
ness of tho Senate. This, following the
report that tho leaders had reached the
conclusion that they cannot muster
votes enough TO seat the claimant, was
accepted by some to mean that the
matter would not be pushed to a final
settlement. A special order was con-
sented To last week 10 take up the claim
Of tho State of Arkansas on Monday,
and then the disposition of the Cuban
resolution has been desired by all. The
conference report and the du Pont case
are both questions OF privilege, and
can be called up at any time. But
little progress could be made with
either measure 30 long as both were
pending, so Senator Mitchell gave way
with the understanding that the con.
ference report would be speedily dis
posed of. He said yesterday that no
had yielded with great reluctance, and
only with the expectation that tho re.
port would be taken up and acted
upon. II that course was not followed
he said he would insist on pressing the
du Pont case This statement, made
in the Senate yesterday by the Senator
In charge of tho cHse, would seem Ia
be complete denial of the rumor that
action will be deferred.
Senator Mitchell has more than once
expressed himself as being anxious TO
dispose OF the case. A few days after
the adjournment Of the Joint assembly
at Dover, the Senator wrote letter
expressing the belief that there had
been an election. He became the
champion of Col. du Pont MS soon as
Congress convened, and has worked
hard and earnestly to convince the
members of tho Senate that his views
OF the case are correct He has en-
deavored to convince his colleagues
that the claimant is entitled to the
seat, but it is not his intention ia
delay the case. The people Of the State
have some rights In the case which
must be respected, and ii is only fair
and Just TO them that the case be dis
posed Of. Such is tho view taken by
the Senator ana he will not be party
to any unnecessary delay.
The traditions and precedents of the
Senate must be sustained The argu.
ment OF the minority that for the
Senate to inquire into the qualification
of Mr.. Watson would be a violation Of
the precedents and history OF that
body, has had much weight, and IL
| the ground upon which several of the
| Republican Senators base their oppo'
sition to the claimant. They arc op.
posed to violating the rules and Gus
toms of the Senate, especially in view
| of the fact that after an inquiry IL
made, they would be forced to violate
the precedents of the State should they
vote to seat Col. du Pont. Besides,
there Ia not enough at stake FOR then
to sacrifice their judicial regulations
by voting or acting in a partisan man
ner upon question OF Constitutions
law. Political fences are easily tori
down, and Senators hesitate before
placing themselves in an unfayorablt
light in the eyes OF the thinking
public.
II Col. du Pont is the unanimou
choice Of the people Of tho State lie
them eject him to tho Senatorial oillc
at the next Legislature. Let hin
present proper credentials showing tn
fact of his election, and then he ca
servo tho people OF the State without
cloud on his title. II tho majority @
tho members of tho Senate believe tina
he is not entitled to seat, that fac
should be established. To postpon
final action would be inaicting furthe
hardships on tho people OF the State
who are being deprived of their lege
representation. Such is the verdict q
more than dozen persons who wer
interviewed Mt tho Capitol yesterday
No word or intimation was made tina
any other course would be followed
When attention was called to the repoI
that tho case would be hold back, tn
unanimous opinion was that such
course would be very disastrous to tn
future of the Republican party, an
especially to the Senators who had
hand in it, 1T would completely rui
the party in tho State" said prom
nent Delawarean. ut is the desire {
tho people Of Delaware that promI
action be taken. 70 delay matter
further will count against the party
and will bring severe criticism upo
Col. du Pont. do not think he woul
allow tho case to go over il he coul
help 1t, and he probably can"