The evening times., 1897-02-05
SENATOR KENNEY SEATED
His Credentials We're Accepted
by the Senate.
Mr.. CHANDELIERS STATEMENT
He Believed That Mr.. Dupont Should
BE Given the Seat, But Did Not
Object to the Swearing in-Mr.
Hill stepped Proposed Debate on
the Capitol Liquor Bill.

During the routine morning business in
the Senate today Mr.. Gray presented the
credentials OF Richard K. Kenney, as Sen.
atoT-elect from the State OF Delaware
the credentials being in due form and
signed by the governor and secretary OF
state OF Delaware.
The credentials having been read, Mr.
Chandler asked Mr.. Gray what action he
proposed to the Senate:
Il was about to state it, Mr. Gray
replied. land l will now state it. Mr.
Kenney is present and ready to be sworn
in; and 1 ask that the oath be admins
tered to him.
Before he is sworn in" said Mr. Chand-
Ter, II desire to make brief statement l
shall not object to Mr. Kenny's being & sworn
in on these credentials l believe how
ever tnat the vacant seat should be filled
by Mr.. Dupont. Even il Mr.. Dupont is
not entitled to the seat l believe that the
legislature of Delaware, which chose Mr
kenney, was legislative body that was
fraudulently created, and was not entitled
10 elect Senator This ruAtter will
doubtless be brought before the Senate in
due time, in a contest OF Mr. Kenney's right
to a seat in this body
Mr. Hoar recalled the decision OF the
Senate last session against tile claim Of
Mr. Dupont to a seat, and spoke OF TIE peti-
ton Of that gentleman at the present ses-
sion to lave the case reupened. While he
tMr Hoar1 had believed in MI Dupont's
right before the Senate had decided the con-
trary by a ma jority of one, the Committee
nd
an able argument for Mr. Dupont by tie
late Attorney General, Mr.. Garland, had
decided unanimously this morning against
reopening tie case.
He proposed tn act on that doctrine.
He thought it very important TO constitu-
tional government and to the dignity and
authority OF the Senate and to the peace
of the country that the Senate should
stand by its decision.
1t was a very unpleasant thing to him
that Mr.. Dupont was not to take the seat
and that somebody else was to take it,
But ir the decision OF the Senate were cor
rect, il followed that there was vacancy
in the Senate from the State OF Delaware
and that Mr.. Kenney. who now applied for
the seat, had a prina faCie title to it,
subject to an examination on the merits
hereafter, if such examination should he
determined on. He therefore favored the
motion OF the Senator from Delaware
Mr. Teller asked Mr.. Uoar whether there
was written report from the Committee
on Privileges and Elections.
Mr.. Hoar replied that he had been in
structed, as the acting chairman of the
committee to file a written report, and
he would do so in week or two.
Nj Gray remarked that Mr.. Kenney,
whose credentials had just been read, was
present in the chamber, and ready to take
the oath of office.
The Vice President invited MIR Kenney
to come forward and take the oath OF
office
Mr. Gray stepped back to the lobby, gave
his arm to Mr.. Kenney, and escorted him
to the Vice Presidents desk, where the
oath of office was administered to the
new Senator, who then signed the oath at
the secretary's desk, aud afterward took
a seat on the Democratic side of the cham
Der.
Mr.. Kenney is a tall, slender and dark
skinned man, of apparently thirty-five or
forty years of age. With the exception
of dark mustache, his face was closely
shaven.
An effort was made by Mr. Morrill, to
have the House bill taken up prohibiting
the sale OF intoxicating liquors in the Capt.
tol, and Mr.. Thurston, who had the floor
on Mr.. Aliens Pacific Railroad resolutions,
consented to yield it in order to accomno-
date Mr.. Morrill,. But assurance was given
by Mr.. Hill that the vote on the bill could
not be reached in the morning hour
Thereupon Mr.. Aliens resolutions were
taken up and Mr.. Thurston proceeded with
his argument against his colleagues reso-
lutions and in favor Of a compromise ar
rangement by which the government would
receive from the Union Pacific Company
at least twenty nine millions net for its
claim against the company.
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