New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-05
MR.. LINDSAY WON'T RESIGN.
THE SENATOR RETORTS ON THE KEN
lucky LEGISLATURE.
HE DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE ON THE FINANCIAL
QUESTION AND A SENATOR'S REsPoNsI-
prIr1,v N, HIS OpNSTrrT-ENTS

QUESTION AND A SENATOR'S REsPoNsI-
BrI.rTY no HIS CONSTITUENTS.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4-Senator William Lindsay
~ Kentucky took occasion this morning TO retort
with telling effect upon the free-coinage Blue Grass
legislature which week or two ago passed resolu-
,iors calling him to resign his commission. The
differences between the Senator. who one of the
leaders OF the sound money Democracy in Ken
lucky in the last Presidential campaign, and the
ee-silver managers. who now control the Legis
sture and the party organization In that State, are
IN the main OF local consequence only; Yet to-day
specch in which the Senator emphatically refused
80 honor the demand him. had n certain general
Importance. as IT defined the position on the money
question which Mr.. Lindsay is likely 20 maintain
Tor the rest OF hts Senatorial service and also
raised the always interesting questions OF a Sena-
tors responsibility to his constituency and TO the
legislative body to which he owes his election. Mr..
Lindsay spoke In part follows:
The substance OF the complaint Is that l OPP
,osel 10 tho free and unlimited coinage OF silver
a. the ratio Of Is 20 l. and that opposed the cleo
ZION and hy so dons betrayed the trust 1eposed
n di'lfrtiai campaign OF 1896 IL is NOT necessary
- 40 SO 20 meet the charge that BETRAYED the
,rus, % my constituents by opposing the election
Nine Chicago nominees My constituency is made
vn OF the people OF Kentucky and that people voted
- me electoral votes OF Kentucky were registered
oranst them. II to be opposed TO the free coinage
or eold and silver dollars II 10 be deemed Il be
travail of trust. then may he pardoned for call
ne attention 10 the history Of current politics in
kentucky from 1895 when was first elected 70 the
Sorate ~ to tho time Of my second election.
HIS FINANCIAL RECORD.
was elected TO FL unexpired term in Febru-
.,v SO In August of that year Congress met
q, extra session TO consider the proposed repeal OF
,sa purchasing clause Of the act Of July Il, 1880
oo-,oorlv called the Sherman law. In october.
,va voted against proposed amendment to the
bu nroyidnF for the free coinage of silver at the
,a,io Of e 70 / ! voted against an amendment
nrov,ding for the re-enactment Of the Bland-Alli-
son act voted against the amendment provid-
de- Tor the free coinage Of silver upon condition
~, The Government should receive In the way or
ssH'gnj6race the difference between the market and
~ re bil I declared that would for no
amendment which merely experimental with a
change Of ratio that did not provide reasonable
safeguards 20 insure the maintenance OF the parity
Of gold and silver dollars. .,.- -. ,...,.-. -.
These votes and that declaration were knoWA 10
III .be intelligent people Of the State of Kentucky
In the month following the adjournment OF ms
eytra session. the General Assembly. charged win
tbs duty If selecting my successor was chosen
II convened in January. lS4 My name was the
onv one presented 70 the Dem0crauc caucus ana
Wben the election came 10 be held received the
vote u every Democratic member present; My
,ber ~ they are known to-day. They were then
the Views OF an overwhenins maJolly oi ne
democrats Of Kentu Ky and Of an oEer"I!e',li'if
majority Of the Republican party In ihat state
stand to-day precisely where STOOL wen t NJ re-
60 60. ~ Kontucky II those who were in accord
with me four years ago are not SO io,uay' IL - pe
couse they have changed their opinions. WINE !
have remained steadfast l crltcise no one lor
Changing his opinions. but protest against oeing
J.~o1nCed a. a betrayer Of my trust because my
Tis,ys remoIn unchanged
denv The right OF selt-seeking political change
ungs Who were with me in opposition TO free ST.
yer when free coinage was unpopuier, anu an MI aie
Democratic approval in Kentucky; to SIT IN juas-
ment on my Democracy, or to can IN question: NY
fealtv 10 the constituency / represent
NOT AN AGENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Will remind those who voted for the resolution
that am not the mere agent Of the Kentucky
legislature DO not exercise my Senatorial duties
subject 10 legislative supervision. nor hold my
place al the legislative will. represent not merely
q party or faction but ell he people Of Kentucky.
My constituency is equal 10 the combined con-
s,ituency Of all the members of the present Cen
q eral Assembly and ! feel the utmost confidence
terest are the views OF decided majority OF voters
Of my state ny term OF service "a nxed ny me
abridged by the action OF the Kentucky Legis,at-
body to aoridge 1t is the assertion Of right which
perLing the Independence Of this great branch Of
the Federal legislature.
Resolutions emanating from State Legislatures
ioacaing matters pending in the Fedora. Congress
entitled 10 most respectful consideration, and
always receive II: but they cannot determine the
duty Of Senator or relieve him from the RESPONSE
billy OF his position. His judgment and conscience
from Kentucky' but am also senator FOR the
United states In questions local TO Kentucky am
ability, consistent with the obligations % hon
esty and fair dealing and regardful Of the nmita-
lions Of The Constitution. When great public inter
ests affecting alike every portion of the Union, are
10 be acted upon they to be considered from the
standpoint Of the broadest patriotism and this
propose 20 do. no matter who may condemn my
action who approve II. There are occasions when
considerations Of local favor and party discipline
mus, for the time give way, and II Senator
who acts upon that principle is 10 be driven from
hs place by mis- state Legislature whenever he
may contrayene local sentiment or temporary pas
sio4. the dignity Of the Senate will soon be
thing OF the past
scrupulOus regard for the division OF powers
between the state and Federal Governments. and
the careful observance OF the boundary line which
separates those powers. is cardinal doctrine Of
Je1erscnian Democracy yet We have here the spec
tac'e ~ controlling majority o. State Icgisa-
ture boldly Overstepping that line OF demarcatiOn
and IN the name OF Democracy demanding that
shall surrender my commission because. in their
estimation. have ceased 70 be n Democrat 1gno-
rant " the underlying principles OF the historic
Democratic party. or else regardless OF their OBJ
LEGATION 20 observe those principles. their right 10
lmpeach my Democracy or TO put me upon the de-
fence OF my record as a Democrat utterly and
absolutely repudiate.