The herald., 1898-02-05
LINDSAY
RESENTS
The Action of Kentucky's
Legislature
HE AFFlRMS HIS DEMOCRACY
REFUSES TO SURRENDER HIS
COMMISSION
Private Pension Bills Occupy the At.
tention of the House-Insigni-
hcant Business Done
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Speaking to
a question of personal privilege in the
senate today, Lindsay, Democrat, of
Kentucky, commented sharply on the
motives of the authors and promoters of
the resolution recently passed by the
Legislature demanding his resignation as
senator. Lindsay, after defining his
position on the financial question, made
it clear that he was the representative
of the whole people of Kentucky and not
in any sense the agent of the Kentucky
legislature. Above all he was, he said,
senator for the whole American people,
and as such would perform his duty and
cast his vote in accordance with his con-
victions and with the dictates of his
conscience
No business of importance was trans
acted in the brief open session. After the
executive session of three hours the
senate adjourned until Monday.
A bill providing for the erection of
public building at Beaumont. Tex, at
cost not to exceed 100000, was passed.
Mr.. Platt (New York; offered a reso
luton which was referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, directing the
Secretary of War to return to the Sew
enth Regiment Artillery formerly the
18th New York V. - the flags of the
regiment. .tggA:
Mr.. Lindsay then took the floor to
speak on the resolution of the Kentucky
Legislature, asking him to resign. He
had the resolution read at the clerks
desk and then said:
while this processes to request my
resignation, 1t is couched in language
which disregards the ordinary amenities
of life and is in effect demand that
shall surrender my place in order to
create vacancy and thus make room
here for some one holding political views
in harmony with the author and promo
ters of the resolution. l desire to pro-
test against this usurpation of migrant
ed power, and l propose to give it
place on the records of the Senate and
to make such comments as deem nee
essary and proper under the circum-
stances.
1T is to be observed that in the ar
raignment which precedes the resolution
there is no charge that have ever dis
OUtytu Tic CAPltSScu WILL VI tilc pcOplC
Of Kentucky; no intimation that have
ever given vote which did not reflect
the views of my constituents or that
have at any time failed to look after
their interests, or have been wanting in
any duty owing to them or to the coun-
try or that am now opposing legisla-
ton which the majority of the people of
Kentucky regard as essential to the pub
lie welfare, or that my personal conduct.
at any time or in any respect has been
to the slightest degree incompatible
with the high position of an American
Senator.
THE substance of the complaint Is
that l am opposed to the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the ratio of
16 to 1, and that opposed the election
of the nominees of the late Chicago con-
vention, and. by so doing, betrayed the
trust reposed In me by my constituents.
My constituency is made up of the peo-
pie of Kentucky, and that people voted
against those nominees, and twelve out
of thirteen of the electoral votes were
registered against them
The Senator reviewed his votes against
silver in the extra session in 1898, which
repealed the purchasing clause of the
Sherman law, and continued:
"In the discussion of the bill I de-
clared that would vote for no amend
ment which merely experimental with
change of ratio or that did not provide
reasonable safeguards to insure the
maintenance of the parity of gold and
silver dollars
"Those votes and that declaration
were known to all the intelligent peo-
pie of the State of Kentucky. In the
month following the adjournment of
this extra session, the General Assem-
bly,, charged with the duty of selecting
my successor, was chosen. 1t convened
in January 1894. My name was the only
one presented to the Democratic caucus
and when the election came to be held
/ received the votes of every Democratic
member present.
II stand today precisely where I stood
when received the unanimous indorse.
ment of the Democrats in Kentucky
| If those who were in accord with me
| four years ago are not so today, 1t is
because they have changed their opin.
| ions, whilst I have remained steadfast
criticize no one for changing his opin.
ions, but protest against being de-
nounced as betrayer of my trust be-
cause my views remain unchanged.
II deny the right of self-seeking politi-
cal changelings, who were with me in
opposition to free silver when free coin
age was unpopular and are against me
now when free coinage seems to meet
Democratic approval in Kentucky, to
sit in judgment on my Democracy, or
to call in question my fealty to the con-
stituency I represent. I will remind
those who voted for the resolution that
l am not the mere agent of the Ken
lucky Legislature. do not exercise nv
Senatorial duties subject to legislation
nor hold my place at the Legislative
will. I represent. not merely a party or
la faction. but all the people of Ken
lucky. My term of service is fixed by
! the Constitution Of the United States.