The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-04

bett to q seat in the Senate, gave notice
that he would press the question to a vote
as early as possible.
Mr.. Caffery presented an extended legal
argument in support OF the resolution pre-
scented by the majority OF the committee on
privileges and elections. Mr.. Caffery con-
tended that the Legislature Of Oregon
which met in January. 1897, was duly and
properly organized under the Constitution
of the State. In response to an inquiry of
Mr. Spooner as to whether legislature of
er as would enable it to elect senator and
yet. under the Constitution, be unable to pass
a law, Mr.. Caffery replied that in certain
circumstances such condition might arise.
IF. however" said Mr.. Caffery "a ma
Jority of the Legislature can pass laws. a
majority of the Legislature under the Con-
stitution of Oregon, can SO organize as to
elect United Stats senator. That is the
proposition upon which / stand"
Mr.. Caffery's contention was that a Gov
ernOr of a State could not appoint to fill an
original yacancy-a vacancy beginning with
new term-especially where the Legisla-
ture has had an opportunity to elect and
had failed to do so. This point he sup
ported by a long list Of presidents and quo
eations from law He maintained al that the
could not be transferred to the Governor.
He commended that the Oregon Legislature.
by intrigue or otherwise. failed to elect: but
that the Senate of the United States could
not place premium upon such dereliction
of duty on the part of Legislature as
would enable the Governor to appoint a
faVorite of his to seat III the Senate.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Caffery's speech,
Mr.. Lindsay, of Kentucky. gave notice that
tomorrow, at the conclusion of the routine
business he would submit some remarks
upon a matter personally concerning him
self and in which he thought the Senate
would have some interest
Mr.. CulIom then called up the agricuI-
tural appropriation bill. the reading of
which was concluded last evening Pending
the submission of certain amendments to
the BILL Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut expressed
his regret that the COMMITTEES had not
stricken from the bill the appropriation for
the purchase and distribution of seeds. He
read a letter from q number of members OF
a Connecticut grange, in which the state
ment was made that the seeds sent out by
the Agricultural Department were not good,
could not be depended upon and were of no
use to the farmers or gardeners.
In reply to Mr. Platt's brief statement
Mr.. Allen thought that the chief opposition
to the governments distribution of seeds
came from those who themselves had seeds
for sale.
Mr. Bacon, of Georgia. thought there
ought to be reform in the distribution of
seeds. He believed the department ought to
sons who were known to raise or produce
seeds of value. III many instances the seeds
purchased were neither valuable rare
THAT is the unmitigated humbug of the
whole thing" interjected Mr.. Platt, of Con-
necticut.
The amendment to the agricultural bill
offered by Mr.. Warren, providing for di-
vision of irrigation and reclamation of arid
lands, for the investigation of the methods
VI cOHSlIuClulS iSdtAOil anu VI
storing and distributing water in the recla-
nation of arid lands, the whole to cost $751;
300. was discussed briefly.
Mr.. Cullom proposed as a substitute for
Mr.. Warrens amendment the following:
For the purpose of collecting from agricul-
tural colleges, agricultural experiment sta
lions and other sources, including practical
agents and engineers, practical information
and data on the subject Of irrigation and
publishing the same in bulletin FORM $780,,
000" The amendment was adopted and the
bill. carrying So, POP. was passed.
A bill providing for the appointment of an
additional district Judge for the Northern
judicial district of Texas was passed. The
Senate then at 5:25 p. M, went into eXecu-
journed.