Middletown transcript., 1896-03-21
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.

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THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.
The discussion Of the resolution te
seat Col dupont in the Senate drew
itself slowly along until it struck
another privileged question:" ths
Cuban resolution, to which it tempo
rarily gave way. At once the Demo
cratic papers raised the cry that it wa.
proposed to defer further consideration
until the next session. This was pure
ly Democratic conjecture as it is un'
derstood thatsa vote willbe taken al
soon as those who have speech tt
make upon it have gotten through.
1t is impossible to keep up with ths
false impressions that have been giyer
out in this matter. Those who have
played the social game of gossip :
and those who participate as actors Of
subjects in the unsocial game Of the
same name, know how distorted the
simplest statement will grow as il
passes from mouth to ear and out
again by way Of that little member
the tongue. The pen is not quite SC
great an offender but men are much
inclined to put matters in the way
they hope to have them. The TRAN
SCRIPT asks for at least one correction
on the part of an old friend.
sAs to whether acting Gov. Watson
had right to vote is beyond the
jurisdiction of the U. S. Senate. That
was matter for the Delaware state
Senate and that body decided in the
affirmative. - Sussex Journal"
Will the "Journal" tell US how and
when the Delawaae State Senate de-
cided that acting Gov. Watson had a
right to vote in the Senate after he
had become "acting Governor" We
believe the "Journal" wan is to be
fair and that it is honest. 1t is not
like the Every EveDing, y that makes
misstatement and then refuses to
correct it. If We are right in our
reading the journal" will find that
the Senate in no way passed upon act
ing Governor Watson's right to vote
or to participate. in that body. The
Journal of the Senate shows that he
did not and three of the Democratic
Senators, by their silence, show that
they had no knowledge of any such
participation. 1t is true that the re
port made by the committee of which
Senator Gray was member makes the
statement that the Senate passed upon
Mr.. Watson's righ 10 seat in the
Senate, but that report is very mis-
leading, whether Intentional or not
every reader must judge for himself.
The Senate did pass upon Mr.. Wat
sons title to seat but it was in JAN
uary, 1898, at the time he took his
seat as State Senator, and more than
two years before Governor Marvil was
inaugurated. A casual reading of the
report has deceived the "Sussex Jour-
nap. We hope it will set itself right.
By inference the ''Joulnap' takes
pleasure in its belief that the U. S.
Senate has no jurisdiction in the ques-
tion of Gov. Watson's vote for U. S.
Senator though he may have done vio-
lence to the Constitution of Delaware
as well as his conscience. Though it
may be a wrong, nay crime, the
'Journal' would say, the U. S. Sem
ate has no power to right it. That is
the opinion of the "Journal." but hap
PLY the journal" does not decide the
question for the members of the Sem
ate. We trust the journal" will SIT
itself right as to the State Senate hav-
ing passed upon the privilege of Gov.
Watson to vote. Upon Governor Wat
son rests that act, and the members Of
the State Senate in no way share it
with him.
There are many interesting facts dis
closed in the discussion of this sena-
torial question. The TRANSCRIPT
has already stated that of ten persons
who have become Governors or tact
ing Governors" under the constitu-
tions of 1892 and 1881, five under the
former and five under the latter con-
stitution, not one of them ever at
tempted to exercise the Office of State
Senator or Representative during the
period he was Governor or 'sexercis-
ing the Office of Governor" until Will
liam T.. Watson on the 9th of May
last so. attempted. The Ten ''acting
have been:
Daniel Rogers, speaker of the senate,
succeeded Cunning Bedford, who died
September 30, 1897, ninety-eight years
ago last September.
James Sykes, speaker of the senate,
succeeded Governor Richard Bassett,
who had created vacancy in the Of
fee of governor by the acceptance Of
judicial appointment under the United
States.
In January, 1920, Jacob Stout,
speaker of the senate, succeeded Gov.
James Clark, who died that month.
In April, 1922, Caleb Rodney, speak
er Of the senate, succeeded John Col
Inns, who died in that month.
In June, 1928, Charles Thomas,
speaker of The senate, succeeded Gov
ernor Joseph Haslet, who died in office.
These SUGGESTIONS were all under
The constitution OF 1892.
On May II, 1886, Charles Polk, then |
speaker Of the senate, succeeded Gov
srnor Caleb P. Bennett, who died May +
,, 1885.
On March 5. 1916, Jos ph Maull, |
speaker of the senate, succeeded Co..
srnor Thomas Stockton, VIII died |
March 2, 1846.
On May 6, 1845, William Temple,
speaker Of the house of representatives,
succeeded Governor Joseph Maull, who
lied May 3, 1S46.
Ga March /, 1866, Cove saulsbury, !
speaker of the senate, succeeded Gov
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