The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-19
WILL NOT INQUIRE
SENATE DEFERS ACTION ON ALA
BAMA ELECTION FRAUDS


Answered That There is Other business
| Considered More Urgent and That the
Work He Wants Done is for the Next
Congress, Anyway.
| Washington, May 1e.-The senate to-
feated a motion by Mr.. Allen pop,
| Neb.) to proceed with the consideration
Of the resolutions to investigate alleged
election irregularities in Alabama oc-
curing at the time Governor Oates
was elected over Kolb, (Populist).
Four Republican senators, Chandler.
Frye. Gallinger and Morrill,, and two
l'Popuhsts, Allen and PETER. voted in
the affirmative Allison took occasion
| TO declare that the vote showed the in
sincerity of the Republican senators to
| their professions in behalf of honest
elections Mr.. Sherman responded that
Il was not for the present senate to go
into the general investigation of cleo
ions, as these resolutions proposed,
and Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire,
author of the resolutions, explained that
the adverse vote was due largely 10 the
bills. The entire day in the senate after
l D. m. was given to the bill regulating
gas rates in the District of Columbia.
The resolution recently presented by
Mr.. Sherman for the appointment of
committee Of five senators to go to
Alaska during the recess of congress
and conduct certain inquiries as to seal
lie, boundary, etc, was reported back
10 the committee on contingent ex-
penses and placed on the calendar with
out favorable or unfavorable recon-
mendation. Mr.. Chandler objected to
immediate consideration.
The proposed inquiry into alleged
election irregularities in Alabama came
I'D on request by Mr.. Allen Pop., Neb)
for unanimous consent to proceed to the
immediate consideration of the subject.
BUT HILL OBJECTS.
Mr.. Hill Oem., n. " quickly OBJ
Jected, saying that other business had
the right of way, and that this pro-
posed inquiry was not a privileged ques-
ton
Mr.. Chandler, author of the resolu-
ton of inquiry, pointed out that the
question had been pending here in one
form or another for the last two years
and 1t seemed evident, said Mr.. Chan
der, that the resolution could not pro-
gress as long as the New York senator
was here to object.
Mr. Chandler asked unanimous con-
sent mat final vote be taken on the
resolution on Wednesday at p. m.
MIR. Allen argued that the question
OF the alleged Alabama irregularities
was one of the higest privilege He dis
claimed, however, any desire TO prose-
y, ,<,I,
the right of Mr.. Morgan Dem, AIa.) to |
his seat.
Mr. Faulkner Dem., w. va) inter |
Jected the remark that this disclaimer |
or any purpose to question the right Of |
Mr.. Morgan to his seat at once took
from the question any privileged char |
acter it might possess.
ALIENS MOTION AND DEFEAT.
Mr.. Allen responded sarcastically that |
ne would not go so far as TO term this |
suggestion 'pettifogging" yet he knew |
1t would not deceive the intelligence of |
the senate. Mr.. Allen added that in or
der TO relieve the presiding officer. Vice /
President Stevenson, from ruling on !
the question of privilege, he would move |
to take up the resolution. This precipi- |
tated an unexpected vote.
The motion was defeated: Yeas s.
nays Al
Those voting in the affirmative We're.
Messrs. Chandler, Frye, Gallinger and
Morrill, Republicans and Allen and
PETER Populists).
On the announcement of the vote Mr.
ALLEN said with some feeling that this
disclosed TO him what he had long sus-
pected. that there was no sincerity on
the part or Republican senator's. with
the exception of the author of the reso-
tuition, MIR. Chandler, as to proceeding
with the investigation. He had felt sat
lsf1ed, he said. that when ii came to a
showdown, Republican senators would
join with Democrats in feating the in
resignation. He said he desired this
vote to go before the country. in vievv
of the claim that the Republican party
stood for fair election and an honest
count.
FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS.
Mr.. Sherman answered briefly that
Mr.. Allen had entirely nisapprehended
he causes leading to the adverse vote
Il was not for the present ongress. bur
-or the one assembling March 4 next to
inquire into any questions affecting the
seats of senators or members whose
-erms began at that time.
Inc senate had no jurisdiction, Mr..
sherman said, to examine into the gen.
sral subject Of an election. Its juris1ic-
ION extended TO an investigation as TO
ne right of a senator to his seat when
nat right had been formally challenged.
I would not investigate the election OF
members OF the house. He made this
explanation. he said, in view of Mr..
Aliens suggestion of insincerity.
MIR. Allen rose TO state that in his
Judgment the vote was a deliberate re-
usal TO carry out party claims of cham
bong the cause of a fair election.
Mr. Chandler said that the vote had
'esulted largely from the unwilIinguess
o displace appropriation bills. II he
lad been consulted he would have ad-
Used against crowding a vote. as
Igalnst appropriation bills.
MI Allen expressed willingness TO let
dr. Chambers explanation stand for
What il IS worth
With this furry over, the senate took
ID the bill relating TO the price Of gas
2 the District OF Columbia
The debate involved a general discus
ion OF the cost Of gas, lasting through
ut the day, the bill being passed az 6 I
clock, when the senate held an exc
utlve session and adjourned I
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED.
Washington, D. c, May IS.-The sen
i ,