Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-30
From Our washington Correspondent.

Disposed OLA Review OF the Situation.
From Our Washington Correspondence
Washington, April 81. 7.--Congress will
not adjourn until after the du Pont
case is disposed Of. This is the decis-
ion of the Democratic members of the
Senate, in which they are supported by
the Populists, and so are in position
to make their demand imperative upon
the Republican leader.
The consideration of the claim of
Col. du Pont to seat in the Senate
has already cost the people of the
United States thousands of dollars,
and it may be the means of preventing
an early adjournment. When the case
was first presented to the Senate, the
majority expressed a determination to
press the case to an early settlement.
They believed that they would have no
trouble in seating the claimant. Soon,
however, it became known that they
could not muster enough votes for the
purpose, and thereupon dilatory tactics
were reiorted to in order to prevent
vote upon the resolution at this session.
Every possible phase of the case has
been presented and repeated over and
over again, in the able and exhaustive
speeches Of Senators Mitchell, Pritch-
ard, Burrows. Brown and Chandler,
representing the claimant, and Senators
Turpie. George and Gray, representing
the opposition. There seems to be no
plausible excuse for further debate.
The Democrats are ready and anxious
for a vote. They have demonstrated
the absurdity of the petitioners claim
and pointed out its unconstitutionality,
and danger which might result from
the United States Senate reversing the
decision of the Delaware Legislature.
Their convincing arguments and the
ridiculous propositions advanced by
Col. du Pont'supporters, have had tell
ing effect on the fair minded members
of the Senate, and has won enough
votes to defeat the passage of the fav-
orable resolution. The Republican lead
ers realize that this condition of affairs
exists. The crack of the party whip
has SO far been unavailipg. They have
been forced TO acknowledge their in
ability to muster the required majority
Of votes and so hoped to. talk the case
over until the next session.
The discussion which arose week be-
fore last between Mr.. Mitchell, who
has charge of the Republican side of
the question, end Mr.. German Of
Maryland, as reported in Every Even
ing at the time, clearly demonstrated
that the Republicans were desirous of
having the question 60 over, Mr..
Mitchell was forced to make tho state
ment that the supporters of the rcsou
tion were not ready for a vote and
would not enter into an agreement, or
fix date upon which a vote might be-
taken. On that occasion Mr.. Mitchell
stated that at the conclusion of the
Indian and Naval Appropriation bills
he would possibly decide upon some
definite time for the disposition of the
case. When the Indian bill was dis
posed of, the Sundry Civil bill was
taken up, thus leaving the Naval bill
still on the calendar. Senator Hale, in
charge of the latter, has given notice
that he will insist upon Its immediate
consideration, SO it will probably be
taken up at once The bond investIga-
tion is before tho Senate as unfinished
business and il also may be disposed
of before MIR. Mitchell calls up his reso-
tuition for further debate.
Mr.. Mitchell further stated that a
number of Senators had given him no.
tice that they desired TO address the
Senate on the resolution. Senators
lloar and Platt are among that number,
but there has been no intimation as TO
who tho numerous others'' are. Since
the announcement of thedeterming lion
of the Democrats to prevent an adit arm
mont until the case is disposed of, Mr..
Mitchell may be forced to call 10 up
and have vote takon at once.
An early adjournment is regarded by
the Republican managers as of consid-
erahle importance. They are exceed
ingly anxious to have Congress adjourn
by the middle of next month. A { the
last Republican caucus May Goth was
fixed as the date, and steering com
mittee of seven appointed by Mr.. Sher-
man, chairman of the caucus, to arrange
the business of the Senate so as TO ac,
complish that end. This committee
has not made any OF its plans public at
this time, further than that the A. ppro-
prgtion bills will be forced to the front
and disposed OF before other business
is considered. No consideration was
given to the du Pont case, but the de-
cision of the Democrats will force the
to give the subject early and
serious thought
There is disposition on the part of
tho Democrats to permit an early ad-
journment, as they feel that they can
lOb ullbAN W G69NIlO lilb TbhDOD5lDllllN
of keeping Congress IN session longer
than le necessary. Thoy are determined,
however, to protect the rights of tho
people of the State of Delaware. even
at the cost of preventing an early ad-
journment.
The du Pont case being one of high
est privilege, it should be brought up
and kept before the Senate until dis
posed Of. II Col. du Pont was not leg
ally elected, as they firmly believe,
then the Senate should pass that iudg.
ment upon the case and prevent future
litigation and enormous expense to the
people of tine country. which would re-
suit from renewed contest at the next
session of Congress.
If the Republican leaders are able TO
secure sufficient votes to seat the claim
ant, and thus violate the constitutional
rights of a State Legislature to judge
Of the qualifications of its own mem
bers, then the Democrats insist that
they should place themselves on record
before the Presidential campaign. The
must stand before tho
people of the United States with the
stain of this crime upon their hands.
They must explain their disregard of
the rights of the people of sovereign
State uhan thpv acty thair CONSTITUENCIES