Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-03-26
rrom onr wnshlngton correaronaent.

From Our Washington Correspondents
Washington, March 25.-The con.
sideration OF the du Pont case has been
postponed until next Monday. Seoa-
tor Mitchell, in explanation of the de.
lay, said that during the past week he
had given way with the expectation
that the Cuban resolutions would be
speedily disposed of, but as nothing
final had been done he had intended to
lay his resolution before tho Senate
and insist that il be debated and finally
disposed Of. Ho had, however, CON
sented to the further postponement OF :
the matter at the personal request of
Mr.. George of Mississippi, who desired
to make quite lengthy speech and
was not in physical condition to pro-
coed. Tho question was of the highest
privilege and would take precedence
over appropriation bills, and con-
ference reports However, he continued,
that in view Of the request of Mr..
George he would allow the matter to
go over until Monday, and would then
urge its iiual settlement.
Mr. Platt OF Connecticut, Mr..
Mitchell said, desired TO leave the city,
and as he wanted to make some re-
marks on the election case, he would
call it up for that purpose sometimes
this week, Senator Gray said that he
also desired to address the Senate on
the subject this week. Mr.. Mitchell
readily consented to this arrangement
The other Senators who have an
nounced their determination to speak
are Chandler and Burrows, in favor of
tho seating of Col. du Pont, and George
of Mississippi, and Palmer Of Illinois,
against his claim. Mr. Peffer, Populist,
may also present his viows on tho case
Unless others take part in tho debate,
and Senator Mitchell maintains his
present determination To settle the
question, vote will probably be taken
about tho Sd or possibly the 9th Of
next month.
1t ia generally conceded in political
circles that the Republicans will be
unable to seat their claimant. The
case will be pushed to an end with
little hope of sLccess. II is known
that il vote was taken tomorrow Col.
| du Pont would be defeated. The
speech Of Mr.. Allen last Friday against
the resolution is accepted as mean
ing that tho Populists would vote
solidly against the resolution. As has
been heretofore stated in Every
Evening, Mr.. Allen was designated at
the last caucus of the Populists to
thoroughly look into the merits of tho
case and report 70 the other members
of his party tho result of his investiga-
| tion. In concluding his speech Mr..
Allen said:
Since attempting to examine il,
has appeared 10 me to be clear that Mr..
Watson, upon the death of Gov MNyil,
had simply added to his dutiA as
Speaker of the Senate, for the time
being, those of Governor, and that he
discharged or exercised the latter on
tirely by virtue of his Office of Speaker.
l am unable TO view tho question in
any other light, and think this con
clusion is established beyond reason
able doubt by the language and policy
of the Delaware Constitution.
"Mr. President, this case presents
pure question of law. There is nothing
OF passion or sentiment in it. II tho
State of Delaware has properly elected
Mr.. du Pont to seat in this chamber,
he should be promptly and cheerfully
seated; if it has not, in the interest Of
good government, both State and ma
tional, it becomes our duty to exclude
him until such time as he may come
to uH with proper credentials.
have not noticed nor shall notice
the many queries and suppositious
cases and propositions that have been
presented in this case. | do not regard
them IN possessing any Importance
We should never discuss a great CON
stitutional question in the atmosphere
of awkward anu suppositious state
ments that may or may not arise; We
should discuss it in the light Of the
facts presented, in the light of the
great cardinal truth that it was the
honest and patriotic intention Of the
trainers of the constitutions, who were
themselves common men, TO present to
the people governments simple of con-
struction and easy of execution; +; govern
ments that would be practical in the
hands OF honest, patriotic men. rather
than those that would he capable of.
being made anomalous in the hands Of
ekilful lawyers and statesmen seeking.
merely for the supremacy of a particular
political party.
"ln this light | have examined the
case, and | have reached a conclusion
which is, to my mind at least, salts
factory, and which will guide my vote
| affirm, therefore
First. That Mr.. Watson was at no
time Governor of the State of Della
ware, but after the death of Gov.
Marvil simply discharged or exercised
the duties of that office ex-oflcio- that
is, by virtue Of his Office Of Speaker Of,
tho Senato-and that he had clear
right 10 participate in the deliberations
of tho joint conyention of the General.
Assembly that voted for tho election of n
United States Senator and TO vote; and
"Second. Having possessed that
right and having participated in tho
deliberations of the joint convention,
15 votes were not majority of 30, and
Mr.. du Pont has not received a ma.
jority of the votes Of the members Of
both houses present and voting, as re.
quired by law, and is not, therefore.
entitled to seat in this chamber.
81 do not regard his title as possesa
ing any higher, greater, Or more sacred
character than would be the title of
any other citizen OF the State who had
not received vote. He has no batter
right than such an individual womb
have; and having reached this con-
clusion my duty is plain. will al
the proper time vote against his being
recognized or seated as a member OF
tho Senate. -
The Senator plainly and clearly stated
his position, and tho five other mem
bers of is party will probably accent his
conclusions. Besides, tho fact that
Mr' reiier has also announced, in.
formally, that he would vote against
the resolution, leaves but little room
for speculation as to tho course Of the
Populists. Some feeling has been
aroused 10y tho effort Of Senators