Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-05
MORE CUBAN TALK
Mr.. Alters Joint Resolution for
Recognition Of Independence.
His TILT WITH SENATOR HALE
Mr.. Mitchell Resumes His Argu-
ment in the Du Pont Case.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE

The question of Cuban independence came
up III expectedly in the Senate today, when
Mr.. Allen CNeb.) presented resolution di-
recting the President to issue proclama-
ton recognizing the independence of Cuba.
For a time there was some doubt as to Mr..
Aliens securing unanimous consent to ad-
dress the Senate on the resolution, as Mr..
Hale (Me) urged that the subject should
not be taken up unless Mr.. Allen had some
good reason for pressing it at this time.
The Nebraska Senator warmly answered
that If there was any objection from Mr..
Hale tho latter could take warning that he
any measure as long as he (Allen) was In
the Senate.
Mr.. Chandler NH.) said that if this re-
mark was addressed to Mr.. Hale he could
(Chandler) was concerned, he would with
hold his consent from the request of any
Senator who prefaced his request by a
threat against Senators in general.
Mr.. Allen responded that his remarks
we're addressed to Mr.. Hale and not to Sen
ators in general. 1t was because he had
felt incea3ed for the moment at the course
OF the Senator from Maine. 1t was the
third time in recent days that Mr.. Hale had
violated the Serate rules, and had then OBJ
Jected to requests similar to those he had
made. Mr.. Allen said he had no apologies
to offer and nothing to take back.
MT. H0le'S Reply.
Mr.. Allen seemed to be much in earnest.
Mr.. Hale responded sni'ingly that he did
rot propose to have a vendetta with Mr..
Allen He would utterly. decline to enter
into a practice Of watching the Nebraska
Senator and paying him off for something
done. He and the Nebraska Senator ought
to be il better business. He had meant no
offense to Mr.. Allen.
The latter answered that the frequent
objections of Mr.. Hale came with poor
grace in view of that Senator's violation Of
the rules.
Mr.. Chandler insisted that Mr. Allen
should not characterize Mr.. Hale's action
in requesting unanimous consent as a vio-
lation of the Senate rules. Mr.. Chandler
added that Senators were in the habit of
observing such amenities as would prevail
in a gentleman's own parlor.
MIR. Wolcott (COl.) protested against the
discursive personal controversy. and Mr..
Allen brought 1t to a close by stating that
he would postpone his speech, adding sar-
castically that he would do this If Mr..
Hale gave mis- consent to such course.
The Senate then went to the calendar and
passed the following bills and resolutions:
To pay Chas. P. Chautau, survivor of
Chautau. Harrison. Vale. $174OOO for a
steam battery furnished during the war;
directing the judiciary committee to in
vestigate the subject of contempt Of
court" and report what amendatory legis-
latioG was nee eSSary.
The last resolution was drawn by Mr.
Hill and Is a substitute for resolutions for
an inquiry into the Imprisonment of E. V.
Debs ~
An agreement was reached that when the
Senate adjourn today it would be until
Monday.
An Art mmixsion.
Mr.. Hansbrough On. d. called up the
bill for the establishment Of an art COM
mission OF the United States" to consist
of five members. 1t went over on an OBJ
lection by Mr. Allen
Mr. Hansbrough then stated that the
need of such a commission was imperati
to pass on paintings, statues, &c, offered
for sale to Congress, and unless such a
measure was adopted he would. as chair
man of the library committee, object to
the further purchase of paintings, statues,
&c, offered without the opinion of COM
petent experts.
At 1:SO o'clock the Senate took up the
Du Pont contested election case, and Mr.
Mitchell resumed his argument in behalf
of Mr.. Du Pont.
The Du POnt Case.
The Senator combatted the position Of the
minority report, which held that the United
States Ser ate could not paSs on the title
of VIM. T. Watson as a member Of the
state senate of Delaware as to the qua1fi-
cations for a seat in the Delaware legisla-
ture that body was the exclusive judge, but
when a constitutional question was involved
the United States Senate had right to ad-
judicate On the right of state legislator
to vote on the election of a United States
Senator. The Delaware legislature had the
exclusive right to pass on questions arising
under the four qualifca tons of the Della
ware constitution for membership in the
legislature. The judgment of the Delaware
legislature on these questions of fact was
binding on the United States Senate But
the state did not have this exclusive right
Determining ha
fundamental law of the state. In that case
the United States Senate always had the
reserved right to pass on the subject.
If the Delaware legislature had actually
passed upon the qualifications of State
Senator Watson the result would not have
been binding on the United States Senate.
Mr.. Georges Question.
MIR. Mitchell said in reply to a question
by Mr.. George that when Mr.. Watson be-
came governor. the office of state senator
held by him became absolutely vacant.
Yet he felt that there must be some room
for doubt as to whether the office was alb
solutely vacant or was temporarily sus-
pended while the conflicting office of gov
ernor was held. The Senator added that
attitude Of the minority that the governor
could at the same time be state senator
and act as governor.
MIR. George insisted on an explicit answer,
WHETHER tHe ONCE O1 STATE senator was
vacated or suspended"
Mr.. Mitchell warmly replied that it made
no difference whether 1t was vacated or
suspended, the essential point being that in
either case Gov. Watson had no right to
vote on the ballot for United States Sena-
tor.
Then it's heads you win and tails L
lose" suggested Mr.. George as he urged
that Mr.. Mitchell ought to define exactly
whether Gov. Watson had vacated or sus-
Dended his SenatOrShiD.
Mr.. Gray Ocl) added that Mr.. Mitchelrs
position was that of doube-barreled gun,
either barrel of which would kill. Mr..
Mitchell assented, saying that both of his
barrels were loaded to kill.
He then proceeded to show by the jour-
nails of the state senate that that body
has never passed on Gov. Watson's right
to continue in the state senate, SO that
there was no adjudication to preclude judg-
ment by the United States Senate.
Gov. WatsOn's Action.
Mr. Mitchell declared that on May 8
last, the day of the contested ballot. Gov
ernor Watson was in the Senate chamber
only few moments, and prior to that time
the governor did not exercise any func-
tiors as a Senator.
Mr. Mitchell read the deposition of State
Senator Moore, that Governor Watson told
him he would take his seat in the state
senate if Massey was out of the race and
On tn ba Mr.