Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-09
From Our washlngton correeponaent.

tine seating OF GOl. IL. a, uu IOnt,
yesterday. He reviewed every phase
of the. various conventions of tho
claimant, and proved conclusively that
Col. du Pont could not be seated.
The debate was livened by several
amusing and interesting incidents. Mr..
Mitchell presented a number of his
irrelevant conundrums, and at one time
was forced TO assume position SO ab-
surd as, to cause general laugh, in
which even the spectators in the gal
leries joined Senator Gray took
hand in the debate and played trump
card. Senator George had repeated his
former assertion that the State Legis.
lature was the exclusive and final
judge of the qualifications of its own
members, and for the purpose of
making this argument more emphatic,
Senator Gray asked whether the United
States Senate could inquire into the
election of a Senator, if member of
the State Senate, who had voted and
been recognized as member of the
body, was concerned in any army or
navy contract-a disqualification under
section II, article 2 of the Delaware
Constitution, the same section under
which it is claimed that Mr.. Watson
became disqualified. Mr.. George, in
answer, stated that he did not suppose
a few months ago that any person
would for moment contend that the
Senate could set aside Judgment of
the State Legislature in any case. He
said that however, since the argument
ofkthe majority had been submitted, he
had made discovery.
The question was really aimed at
Senator Mitchell, who made an evasive
reply, claiming that it was different
kind of disqualification. Senator Gray
pressed his question, stating clearly
the point he had made. Mr. Hoar,
who evidently realized the effect of an
admission that the Senate would be
estopped in such a case, entered into
discussion, and after two minute
talk about incompatibility, smilingly
resumed his seat leaving the question
unanswered so far as the majority were
concerned. Mr.. George, who desired
TO conclude his remarks declined to
yield further.
At the conclusion of his speech
Senator Gray took the floor and made
another effort to get an Interpretation
by the supporters of Col. du pont to
the question he had presented. Mr.
Mitchell said be was not on the wit
ness stand, to which Mr.. Gray replied
that he intended to put him there, and
then in his calm and mastery manner
proceeded with his "cross. examina.
ton. Mr.. Micthel tried in every
manner possible to escape from making
a positive reply. and succeeued in get.
ting pretty badly mixed up. He was
putting himself in ridiculous atti
tude by his evasive replies, and yet it
was necessary for him to follow such
tactics or overthrow the entire case of
his client. The able Senator from
Delaware saw the victory he was
making, and closed every avenue of
escape. His pointed questions com
petely blocked evasions. Mr. Mitchell
was in the midst of rambling state
ment when the Republicans, realizing
his embarrassing position, came TO his
rescue. Mr.. Allison made point of
order on the ground that there was
nothing before the Senate. For n
moment all was confusion. Half a
dozen Senators were on their feet
Mr. Gray said he was discussing a
privileged question and did not want
to be taken OIL his feet. Mr.. Allison
replied that he was entitled to the floor
on the Postotlice Appropriation bill.
Mr. Wolcott asked that Mr.. Mitchell
be allowed to complete his answer; but
Mr.. Mitchell was not anxious, and the
Senate proceeded with the considera
tlon of the appropriation bill.
In his argument yesterday Mr..
George continued the discussion Of the
right of the State Senate to pass upon
the qualifications of its own members.
II asserted that tho State Senate Of
Delaware had adludged of the ouali
lcation of Mr.. Watson On MAY 9th and
therefore tho claimant could not be
seated. If Mr.. du Pont is given a
seat, he said, lit will be by nm
election by this body and not by the
State Legislature. 7 He argued that
If Mr. du Pont was elected il was on
the first ballot cast, for Tho two houses
were in Joint assembly far the purpose
Of electing a United States Senator,
and il there was an election it was on
the iirst vote, and thr Joint assembly
had no right to cast second yoro. He
asserted that by their action in yotinp
again and again, they hal made dis
tlnct and unequivocal adjudication Of
the right u Mr., Watson 10 lis aeat
They had decided by each vote cast
that MT. WGtson's vote was LEGAL and
proper and he asserted enphatically
that the Senate Of the Gnitad States
could not reyerse that Judgment.
ne said there was another absolute
Judgment, not only by the State senate
but by the joint assembly that Mn
Watson was entitled to his seat, which
mad not heretofore been called 10 the
attention Of the Senate. lie referred
70 the journal Of the State Legislature
on Nay ath, and called attention tn
the fact that after tho fourth ballot
VT fcnlmprc Of the Senate, moved
that the two houses sepaate. II
tAefe hai been an election, he Argued.
II was their duty TO separate, aHit VA
on an yea and nay vote, III which 'ati
OF me inemherh supporting The cain
ant had voted, the motion IL separate
was defeated. lilo assertali tEat nj
Interpretation could bo nut uIDn th4f
Action other than that there was no
election On tho first ballot of tha suh-
seqlaht ballot. lle called attention ID
the iaet tIat tle inotion Id arate
was put lye times ana each time de.
The Senator said the m5 jnitv III tFa
committee had prr5' Etet, pr5pt4ition
never before heard Vi, N5i3ei. f.Ey
asserted Tint tae StN$ ~arafe e5a5.l
lhase"f eartaia qualifications 81 I'LL
menii sa Int n6t aG .rfeIral I.
thq =tUf tbe s;i4 aoagatlec m.
the 'I4frip ease aatad ETH t6s
speesa af Na ifo#, 5r8sts4ted Hin
report D which tl 85&z1Etf#r. .s=td il.
ms n inquire iUldtal #QiiiaHtjans
O t&4 50epi4eFs q. De laGama iugiala
t9li. .ii, Mitehe i tli pat6t asked
n t'1f tl2tl ~ Ha sta mt
tle sAist ae dt3 nat gnpf The laafrine
.752tt5gl n ihe EaplL and atlaatfed
tla' ihe state SaUarG hal thecyc .siye