The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-19
BY q yoas of II to @ the Senate De-
sfdsdTset to Inquire Into EIec-
ton Irregularities.
ME-. SHE2MAN'S EXPLANATION
MORGAN,s SEAT CANNOT BE CUES
IyONED BY THIS CONGRESS-.
Term for Which He Was Elected Does
Not Begin Till Next March-whisky
Bottling Bill Passed by the House.


day, by a vote of 6 yeas to Al nays defeated
a motion by Mr.. Allen to proceed with the
consideration Of the resolution TO investi-
gate the alleged election Irregularities in
Alabama, occurring at the time Governor
Oates was elected over r. F. Kolb. Populist.
Four Republican Senators. Chandler. Frye.
Gallinger and Morrill,. and two Populists,
Allen and PETER. made up the affirmative
vote. Mr.. Allen took occasion to declare
that the vote disclosed the insincerity of
Republican Senators to their professions in
behalf Of honest elections. Mr.. Sherman re-
sponded that it was not for the present SEN
ate to go into the general investigation OF
elections, as these resolutions proposed, and
Mr.. Chandler. of New Hampshire, author
Of the resolution. explained that the adj
verse vote was due largely to the disinclina-
ton to dispiace appropriation bills. The en-
tire day of the Senate. after / O'Clock. was
given to the bill regulating gas rates in the
District Of Columbia.
At the opening OF the Senate the follow
ing bills were passed: Authorizing the pur-
chase by the United States and the making
free OF toll of roads passing over the Yo-
semitic National Park; regulating the pay Of
noncommiss.oned officers of artillery. cav
airy and infantry of the army, as follows:
Sergeant major. $50: regimental quartermas-
ter. $50; first sergeant. $50; sergeant. $2s;
corporals, 81 Ia proviso to the last bill pro-
vides for a continuance of longevity pay as
lie building and site at Deadwood, s.. ID.
Mr.. Chandler secured the adoption OF a
for a statement Of the condition of the gov
eminent suits instituted In New York city
as to the Joint Traffic Association between
Chicago and the Atlantic seaboard.
In0 resolutions recenrIv DreSeQfQI nv Mr.
sherman for the appointment Of a committee
Of i've Senator's to go to Alaska during the
recess OF Congress and conduct certain in
quiries as to seal life. boundary, etc., was re-
ported back by the committee on contingent
expenses and placed on the calendar without
favorable or unfavorable recommendation.
Mr.. Chandler objected to immediate consid-
Grafton.
The proposed inquiry into alleged election
request by Mr.. Alien for unanimous con-
sent to proceed to the immediate considera-
Mr.. Hill quickly objected, aging other
business had the right of way, and this pro-
posed inquiry was not a privileged question.
Mr.: Chandler. author of the resolution of
been pending here in one form or another
for the last two years, and Ii seemed evil
dent, said Mr.. Chandler, that the resolution
Senator was here to object. Mr.. Chandler
asked unanimous consent that a final vote
be taken on the resolution on Wednesday al
AIR. Alien argued that the alleged Alabama
Irregularities was one of the highest privi-
leges. He disclaimed. however, any DESIRE
to prosecute any inquiry which would ques-
ton the right OF Mr.. Morgan to his seat.
MT. Faulkner INTERCEPTED the remark that
this disclaimer of any purpose to question
the right or Mr.. Morgan. to his seat at once
took from the question any privileged char
acter it might possess.
Mr.. Allen responded sarcastically that he
ton .'pettifogging.'' yet he knew it would
not deceive the Intelligence of the Senate,
Mr.. Allen added that in order TO relieve the
presiding officer, Vice President Stevenson
from ruling on the question Of privilege, he
would move to take up the resolution. This
precipitated an unexpected vote. The mo
ton was defeated.years. 8; nays. A. Those
voting in the affirmative were Messrs,
Chandler, Frye, Gallinger and Morrill,, Re-
publicans, and Allen and PETER. Populists.
len, with some feeling. said this disclosed
to him what he had long suspected. tina
there was no sincerity on the part OF Re-
author of the resolution, Mr.. Chandler, as
to proceeding with the investigation. He
had felt satisfied. he said. that when Il
tors would join with Democrats In defeating
the Investigation. He said he desired this
vote to go before the country, In view OF
the claim that the Republican party stood
for a fair election and an honest count.
| Mr.. Sherman answered briefly that Mr.
| Allen had entirely Inexperienced the
CdiStS icdullS 10 lit dutcISc t0tc. III WA
not for the present Congress. but for the
one assembling March 4 next, to inquire int
any questions affecting the seats of Senators
or members whose terms begin at that time
The Senate has no jurisdiction. Mr.. Sherman
said, to examine into the general subject Of
an election. It's jurisdiction extended to ar
| Investigation as to the right of a Senator K
his seat. when that right had been formerly
challenged. 1t could not investigate the cleo
ton of members of the House. He made
| this explanation, he said, in view of Mr.
| Aliens suggestion of insincerity.
Mr.. Allen arose to state that, IN mis- jucg
ment, the vote was a deliberate refusal L
carry out party claims Of championing TIT
| cause Of a fair election.
Mr.. Chandler said the vote had resulted
largely from the u~nwillingness to displac,
appropriation biz. II he had been con.
suited he would have advised against crowd
Ing q vote as against appropriation bills.
| Mr.. Allen, soto voce, expressed willing.
ness to let Mr.. Chambers explanation
stand for what It is worth"
With this furry over the Senate took ur
the bill relating to the price of gas in the
District of Columbia. The debate involved
| general discussion of the cost of gas. lasting
throughout the day, the bill being passed a.
6 O'Clock, when the Senate had an executive
session and adjourned.