The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-03-18
POLITICAL NOTES.

The Senate has some novel questions to de-
eide in regard 10 the successor 10 Senator
Mitchell. The Republicans elected majority
in both Houses of the Oregon Legislature.
Senator Mitchell was the choice of the isepnb-
lirau caucus 10 succeed himself But certain
members refused 10 bc bound by the action Of
the caucus. aud affiliated temporarily with tho
Popnliss. The Mitchell Republicans organized
the House. and seat notice 10 the Senate. But
! the Senate refused 10 recognize as lawful this
organ zaton, Claiming that it was only by
majority vote, whereas a two thirds vote WAS
required. This the Mitchell Republicans were
unable TO obtain because eight Republicans and
l9 Populists refused to participate. For weeks
the House and Senate continued TO meet, with
out doing any business, because the Senate re-
fused to recognize the House. The House de-
ciared the seats of the % recalcitrant members
vacant. The Mitchell men in both Houses met
in joint convention and tried TO elect Senator,
but they lacked one vote of majority. After
a session of as days the House adjourned and
went home. The Senate took no notice of this,
claiming that the House was never legally or
ganized. The Senate continued i'm session, and
it is claimed is still so. Now the questions are:
Was the House legally organized by q majority !?
Was the Senate wrong IN refusing rec0gnitioni
Was the Houses action in expelling the q
members legal? Has there been any legal adj
journmeBt OF the House, since the Senate has
not consented to il? If there has been no legal
adjournment, how can the Governor call an
extra session? Has the Governor any right to
appoint Senator? All this will have to be
considered by the Senate in passing upon Mr..
Corbett's right to seat. II is to Senator
Mitchells credit that he did his best to prevent
this ENHANCEMENT. He withdrew from the
contest in very manly letter, in which he
said that the election of Republican Senator
was a paramount consideration with him. and
that he would not allow his own interests and
desires to stand in the way of such a result.
strong effort is being made in Virginia to
unite the Republicans Gold Democrats and
others opposed To the present regime into one
party aud il is not unlikely that this will be
done and Consul Gen. Fitzhugh Lee be nomi.
mated for Governor. Lee has made much repu-
tatiou by his course in Cuba. which has been
such as to render him acceptable to the Rcpub-
lcans. He also feels that he has been badly
treated by the present>rarty bosses in the mat
ter of election TO the Senate two years ago.
Many of the Oregon Republicans are not lis
posed to regard the seating of Mr.. Corbett as
good politics. They claim that the Mitchell
men are now more strongly united than ever,
and that Gov. Lord is largely responsible for
tie condition OF things which resulted in the
failure TO re-elect Senator Mitchell. They say
tha: to seat Corbett will split the party wide
open, and give the State to the Populists.
The long struggle IN kentucky promises to
draw 10 a close. March IL caucus WAS held of
the Republican members Of the Legislature,
] which was attended by 60 of the 20 members
There was renewal Of the sharp fight against
I DIR. w. Godfrey Hunter, but the ballot resulted:
| Hunter. 80; Holt, 10; Boyle. 5 Lewis, S;
| Yerkes, 5. Hunter was therefore declared the
nominee. and the meeting closed with a love-
| feast There is no doubt expressed that the
Eve absent members will accept the decision of
the caucus and il is believed that they will be
Joined by several Gold Democrats. The only
obstacle 10 speedy termination is the decision
of Leut-Gov. Worthington that ballot cannot
be taken before March %. Strong pressure is
being brought TO bear 10 have him recede from
this ruling and allow ballot to be taken at
once. Senator Black burns friends are Laying
low" to take advantage Of possible dissensions
among the Republicans.
After stormy convention, the Democrats OF
| Cleveland. o., nominated John II. Farley for
| Mayor. Farley is Senator Brice's Lieutenant,
an exceedingly able man, and strong Gold
Democrat. Last year Cleveland was a storm
center FOR Free Silver.
The New York Democrats contemplate elect
ing ID. b. Hill to the House of Representative:
and, expecting that the Democrats will have q
majority in the next Congress, to make him
Speaker. 1t is anticipated that he will be
bitterly opposed by the Southern and Western
Democrats. but it is net expected that these