Evening star., 1897-02-05
The New Senator Takes the Oath of
Office.
Mr.. HOAR'S STATEMENT OF TIE Case
Why DuPont's> Case Could Not
Now Be Reopened.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE


Senate had been disposed of today Mr..
Gray (Del.) arose and sent to the desk the
credentials of Richard r. Kenney, as SEN
ator from Delaware, for the vacant seat
now existing. The credentials were in the
usr al form. and were signed by Governor
Tunnel. with the seal OF the state attached:
Mr.. Gray stated briefly that Mr.. Kenney
was present and desired to be sworn in
and to take his seat under these creden-
tals
This was the elimination Of the long
contest over the vacant Delaware seat
which has agitated the state and has found
frequent echoes in the Senate.
Mr. Chandler On. HI, replying to Mr..
Grays request. said no objection would be
made to the swearing in of Mr.. Kenney on
the creds ntials now presented. He believed,
however. that the seat should be filled by
III. A. DUPONT, who. in the Judgment of
the tor was legally elected to the
Senate If. however, Mr.. DUPONT had not
been elected then, in the Judgment of Mr..
Chandler. the Legislature which named Mr.
kenney was not legally constituted. as It's
organiZation was attended with fraud and
irreSuiarity- These matters would be
brought before the Senate at later stage
ard full hearing asked
Mr.. Chambers statement cleared away all
present opposition, and brought the contest
10 an unexpected close.
Mr.. HOar's Statement.
Mr.. Hoar (Mass.) said he concurred in
the view that the credentials gave Mr.
Kenncy prima facie right to a seat in the
Senate which could be questioned only in
subsequent proceedings. The senator re-
viewed the Dupont contest of last year
and the recent effort OF Mr. DUPONT to have
the reonened. Such course, in Mr.
HoarS judgment, would be clearly irreg
lar. The Senate had passed on the Du-
Pont case. and its decision was as final
and binding that of any court. 1t could
be reviewed only on newly discovered evil
dence, or when 1t was apparent that error
had beer made But no new evidence, no
error was brought forward. and Mr.. Du
Points application was simply a request
reOpening of the original case, which
this great constitutional court, the Senate
of the United States, had already dec ided
once. With this view of the case, the COM
mittee on privileges and elections today
mad decided unanimously-wit one excep-
uon-that nothing further was to be done
in that case.
1t was most unpleasant thing for him,
Mr. Hoar SAID. to see Mr.. DUPONT denied
seat III the Senate. Yet, it was of pro-
found Importance to the country and to
the dignity of the Senate that personal de-
sires should not actuate the conclusions of
the Senate. 1t followed If Mr.. DUPONT was
rot elected. that vacancy existed and
Mr. kenney now presented credentials GER
tifying his right to that vacant seat. His
right was prima facie, and might be
brought in question hereafter, but for the
present IL was unQueStionable.
Mr.. Kenney Sworn In.
As Mr.. Hoar closed Mr.. Gray moved up
the middle aisle and Joined Mr.. Kenney.
Arm in arm tkey proceeded to the desk of
the presiding officer. where, with uDlfted
hand. the new senator from Delaware took
he
vote and opposition.
Mr.. Kenney was assigned a seat on the
democratic side alongside Dir. Hill of New
York The new senator Is one of the
youngest men in the chamber. He Is broad
shouldeTed and athletic in build. with dark
brown hair and heavy mustache. He was
warmly congratulated by democratic sena-
tors as he took his seat.
Pacific Railroads Resolutions.
The Senate then turned to the Allen reso-
lutions questioning the right of the execu-
tive to foreclose the Pacific railroad obliga-
tions. Mr.. Thurston (NebD continuing his
speech in opposition to the resolutions.
Nicaragua Canal Bill.
Consideration of the Nicaragua canal bill
was resumed at o'clock. Mr.. Daniel Ua }
presented letter from Lieut.. Col Ludlow,
one of the army engineers. who made q
recent report on the project. questioning
recent statements criticising the work Of
the engineers. Col Ludlow also arraigned
Lieut.. Merocal the engineer of the canal
company. for alleged inaccuracies.
Mr. CaTery Ia.) was about to begin a
speech in opposition when Mr. Daniel made
an unexpected move to take up the bank
ruDtcy bill
MIR. Daniel was prevailed upon to with
draw the motion, however.
Mr.. Allen tNeb) spoke against the canal
| bill. saying it was a colossal undertaking
which should not be considered when the
country was bond-ridden and our financial
condition was depl0rable.
Mr. Caffery ua) spoke In opposition to
the bill.