The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-23
BATTLE ROYAL IN SENATE.
The Republican Scheme to Secure a
Safe Majority.
ANOTHER VOTE or VITAL IMPORTANCE
An Attempt to Defer the settlement "i the
Delaware Senatorship lnti Ater
the Fourth of March-Ihe DEM
ocrafs 50 Tar Ahead.

WASHINGTON. -. c. Jan. 22.-Special'
The fight over the Delaware senatorship
I'm the senate will be preclpiiated early
next week when the credentials oi
ecnator-Elcct Kenny are presented by
Senator Gray. and Mr.. Kenny presents
himself to take the oath and bis seat
The part to Doe played in the matter
bv fbo friends OF Mr.. Addicks. who claims
the seat. on certificate from his ''rump
LEGISLATION. will bee small and inslgniii-
cant. the real contest being between Mr.
Dupont and Mr.. Kenny. Mr.. Dupont, 1t
will be remembered. claimed the election
nearly two years ago, when, with the
vote Of the Lieutcnant-Govcrnor of The
state. then acting as Governor, bee secured
a majority Of the votes cast in the Lcgis-
Jature.
REFUSED TO SEAT DUPONT
The Senate. at the last session, how
ever. refused 10 seat Mr.. Dupont. on the
ground. that the Lieutenant Governor
could not act as Governor and mem
Der Of the Legislature at the same time
a week or TWO ago he again made claim
to ~ seat in the Senate. and IBIS petition
was referred TO the Committee on Elec-
Dupont was made at the instance of tho
Republican leaders of the Senate, for tho
sole purpose of afording them am OPP
portunity to oppose the admission Of Mr.
Kenny.
KENNY REGULARLY ELECTED.
There is no question that Mr.. Kenny
was elected by the present legislature
of the State. and ne comes TO washing
ton with the proper certiication of cleo
ton signed by the Governor. The kepub-
Hcans. however will when he presents
himself, contend that Mr.. Dupont was
elected by % preceding Legislature, ana,
that there was therefore no vacancy TO
Doe filed by the present Legislature.
They will ask that his case bee referred
&c the Elections Committee. where tho
cases of Mr.. Dupont and Mr.. Addicks
have already gone The Democrats it
is expected Will oppose the proposition
TO refer. and will endeavor 70 secure an
immediate vote.
a SILVER MAN.
AS Mr. Kenny is a silver man it is be-
Heved. that "a majority of the Senate VIII
sustain his claim TO 20 seat
The purpose Of the Republicans in using
the cases of both Air. Dupont and Ar.
Addicks. TO cast doubt upon the validity
of Mr. Kenncys election, is 10 have the
whole question postponed for settlement
until after the 4th of March. II they can
do this. they believe they can seat w.
Dupont. and thereby increase their own
strength. while they diminish that Of
the Democrats and the silver men.
or VITAL IMPORTANCE.
The matter Of securing single adli-
uonal vote ls Of such vital consequence
10 the Republicans that the fight over
the Delaware senatorship will bc TO them
more important than any other questions.
yet TO be considered at this session.
While the battle is still I'm IT'S prelmi-
nary stages. 70 would seem that the
Democrats have the best Of the situation.
and that Mr. Kcnney VIII probably be
seated.
The whole question has narrowed down
10 one Of mere political advantage. Sir
Konney. according to all the rules and
proccndcnts of the Senate. IS clearly ent-
| tied 90 Dis seat The effort 20 reopen the
/ Dupont case. after the Senate has once
rejected HIS credentials as worthless, is
most unusual.
PART or A GENERAL SCHEME.
Their plans with regard 90 the Delaware
case form but part Of general scheme
TO secure control Of the Senate organiza-
ton when the next Congress assemblies.
COUNTING ON FLORIDA.
II is almost certain that from tho time
| the next Congress assemblies In extra scs-
sion. until the Florida Legislature meets
I'm April, and elects % successor TO Sena-
tor Call. there viii be a. vacancy IN the
| Florida representation in the Senate.
This. with the absence from the Senate
also OF Mr. Kennoy. will. il is estimated.
give the Republicans temporary control
Of the body. and allow them an the ad-
vantagcs which inure TO the party that
secures possession of the Committee on
Organization. The Republicans now count
on having 40 votes in the next Senate. Dee
yond all question of doubt. And, If they
can seat Mr. Dupont and secure sena-
tor. they can CONTROL from either Wash
ineton or Idaho they believe they can
mass anv legislation they desire.