The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-05

tion to free silver. when free coinage was
unpopular and are against me now. when
Tree coinage seems to meet Democratic APP
prevail in Kentucky, to sit in Judgment on
my Democracy, or to call in question my
1eaity to the constituency / represent. /
VIII remind those who voted for the resolu-
ton that l am not the mere agent of the
kentucky Legislature. | do not exercise
my senatorial duties subject to legislative
supervision, nor hold my place at the legls-
lative will
L represent not merely party or fac
uon, but all the people Of Kentucky. My
constituency is equal to the combined con-
Stltuency of all the members of the present
General Assembly, and / feel the utmost
confidence that my views on all questions
exciting public interest are the views of
decided majority of voters of my State. Ny
term of service is fixed by the Constitution
OF the United States. 1t cannot be abridged
by the action of the Kentucky Legislature
ana an attempt of certain members of that
body to abridge it is the assertion of
right which does not exist, and could not
exist, without imperiling the independence
OF this great branch of the federal legisla-
ture.
Resolutions emanating from state iegis-
latures touching matters pending in the
federal Congress are entitled to most re-
speetful consideration and always receive
1t, but they cannot determine the duty OF a
senator, or relieve him from the response
bihties of his position. His judgment and
conscience are at last to guide his conduct.
j am q senator from Kentucky, but | am
also senator for the United States. In
questions local to Kentucky [ am always
4Cduy 10 serve neT interests 10 the pest OL
my ability, consistent with the obligations
of honesty and fair dealing. and regardful
of the limitations of the Constitution. When
great public interests, affecting alike every
portion OF the Union, are to be acted upon,
they are to be considered from the stand
point of the broadest patriotism, and this
propose to do, no matter who may condemn
my action or who approve it.
There are occasions when consideration
of local favor and party discipline must for
the time give way. and if 81 senator who
acts on that principle Is to be driven from
his place by his state legislature whenever
he may contravene local sentiment or tenn
porary passion. the dignity of the Senate
Will soon be q thing of the past.
"A ScrupulOuS regard for the division OF
powers between the state and federal gov
ernments, and the careful observance of the
boundary line which separates these pow
ers, is cardinal doctrine of Jeffersonian
Democracy. yet we have here the spectacle
of q controlling majority of a state legis-
lature boldly overstepping that line of de-
marcatfon and in the name of Democracy
demanding that / shall surrender my COM
mission because, in their estimation, have
ceased to be a. Democrat They seem ig-
norant of the underlying principles of the
historic Democratic party, or else regard
less of their obligation to observe those
principles their right to impeach my
Democracy to put me through the de-
tense of my record a Democrat utterly
and absolutely repudiate. This much |
have thought it proper to say, and with
these remarks / dismiss the So-called legis-
lative request for my resignation"
AT 1926, when Mr.. Lindsay closed, ON mo-
ton of Mr. Davis, chairman of the foreign
relations committee, the Senate went into
executive session.