Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-19
NONVESTIGATION
Senate Concludes 10 Let Ala.
bama Politics Alone.

senate ConcIuoe8 20 Let Ala.
bama Politics Alone.
ALLEYS RESOLVE SHOWED UNDER.
Only eix Woes I'm Its Favor and But Two
Populists I'm the Six-The Nebraska Man,
Much Disgusted at the Result, 'sJumps
ON" the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Explain
seion-Some Interesting Supreme Court
Decisions- Judge Lochren Connrmed.
WARRINGTON, May 19.-The senate yes
terday by.ia vote Of six yeas to forty ore
nays defeated q motion by Allen Pop. Of
Nebraska to proceed with the considera-
ton Of the resolution to investigate alleged
election irregularities in Alabama, occur
ring at the time Governor Oates was elect
ed over B. F. Kolb, Populist. Four Re
publican senators Chandler, Frye, Gal
lingcr and Morrill-and two Populists-
Allen and Pcffer-made up the affirmative
vote. Allen took occasion to declare that
the vote disclosed the insinccrity of Repub-
lican senators to their professions in be-
half Of honest elections. Sherman re-
sponded that It was not for the present
senate to go into the general investigation
Of elections, as these resolutions proposed,
and Chandler Of New Hampshire, author
of the resolutions, explained that the ad-
verso vote was due largely to the disin-
clination to displace appropriation bills.
That Hill in the Way Again.
When Allen asked unanimous consent
for the consideration of the resolutions
Hill quickly objected, saying that other
business had the right of way and this
proposed inquiry was note privileged ques-
ton. Chapdlcr, the author of the resolu-
ton Of inquiry, pointed ont that the ques-
ton had been pending here in one form
or another for the last two years and it
seemed evident, said Chandler, that the
resolution could not progress as long as
the New York senator was here to object.
Chandler asked unanimous consent that a
final vote be taken on the resolution on
Wednesday at . p. m.
Allen argued that the alleged Alabama
Irregularities was a question of the high
est privilege. He disclaimed, however, any
desire to prosecute an inquiry which
would question the right of Morgan to his
scat.
Allen Precipitates the Vote.
Faulkner INTERCEPTED the remark that
this disclaimer Of any purpose to question
the right of Morgan to his seat as once
took from the question any privileged
character it might possess. Allen responded
sarcastically that he would not go so far
as TO term this suggestion 'pettifogging,"
yet he knew it would not deceive the in
telligence Of the senate. Allen added that
in order to relieve the presiding officer
(Vice President Stcvenson) from ruling
on the question Of privilege he would
move to take up the resolution. This pre-
cipitated an unexpected vote, which re-
suited rs stated above.
And Then Attacks the Republicans.
On the announcement of the vote Allen,
with some feeling, said this disclosed to
him what he had long suspccted-that
there was no sincerity on the part of Re
publican senators with the exception Of
the author of the resolution, Chandler, as
to proceeding with the investigation. He
had felt satisfied, he said, that when it
came to the show down" Republican sem
atOrs would join with Democrats in de-
feating the investigation. He said he de-
sired this vote to go before the country, in
Wow VI tihC tuC ItCPuuliCiu
party stood for fair election and an
honest count.
Sherman Explains the Situation.
Sherman answered briefly that Allen
had entirely misappreherded the causes
leading to tho adverse vote. 1t was not
for the present congress, but for the one
assembling March next, to inquire into
any questions affecting the seats of sena-
tors or members whose terms begin at
that time. The senate had no jurisdiction,
Sherman said, to examine into the general
subject Of an election. Its jurisdiction ex-
tended to an investigation az to the right
Of a senator to his seat. when that right
had been formally challenged. 1t could
not investigate the election of members of
the house.
Nebraska Man Remains Unconvinced.
Allen rose to state that in his Judgment
the vote was deliberate refusal to carry
out party claims Of championing the
cause of fair election. Chandler said the
vote had resulted largely from the unwill-
ingness to displace appropriation bills If
he had been consulted he would have adj
vissd against crowdin2 a vote as against
appropriation bills. Allen expressed will
ingness to let Chambers explanation
''s'and for what it is WORTH This CLOSED
the incident" and the senate proceeded to
the discussion of gas.