The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-05


ate today. Lindsay OF Kentucky COM
mented sharply on the resolution recently
passed by the legislature demanding his
resignation as senator. He had the reso-
luton read at the clerks desk. and then
said:
White this processes TO request my
resignation. IL Is coucaed in language
which dsregards the ordinary amenities
OF life, and is In effect a demand that /
shall surrender my place in order 10 create
vacancy and thus make room here for
some one holding political views in har-
mOny with The authors and promoters of
the resolution. i desire to protest against
this usurpation OF ungranted power and
! propose 10 give ii place on the records
OF the senate. and 10 make such comments
as l deem necessary and proper under the
circumstances.
The substance of the complaint IS that
] am opposed 10 the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at the ratio of Is 10 l.
and that l opposed the election of the
nominees of the late Chicago conventions,
and by so doing betrayed the trust re-
posed in me by my constituency. My con-
stituency is made up of the people of
Kentucky, and that people voted agains;
those nominees. and twelve out of the
thirteen electoral votes OF Kentucky were
registered against them"
The senator reviewed his votes against
silver in the extra session Of 1879. which
repealed the purchasing clause of the
Sherman act. He continued:
I'm the discussion of the bill / declared
i would vote for no amendment which
merely experimental with change of
ratio. or that did not provide reasonable
safeguards 10 insure the maintenance Of
the parity OF gold and silver dollars /
stand today precisely where ! stood when
l received that unanimous Endorsement of
the Democrats in kentucky for senator
II those who were in accord with me four
years ago arc not so today. II is because
they have changed their opinions. but |
protest against being denounced as be-
trayer Of my trust because my views re-
main unchanged.
Il deny the right OF self-seekiug political
changelings. who were with me in opposi-
tion 20 free silver when free coinage was
unpopular and are not with me now. when
free coinage seems to meet Democratic
approval in Kentucky. to sit In Judgment
on. my Democracy or 10 call in question
fealiy 10 the constituency / represent
Il will remind those who voted for the
resolution that / am not the mere agent
of the Kentucky legislature. | do not ex-
srciso my senatorial duties subject TO leg
nj the legislative Will. | represent not
merely party or faction. but all the peo-
pie of Kentucky Ny term Of service Is
fixed hy the constitution OF the United
States. 1t cannot b. abridged by the ac-
tion OF the Kentucky legislature. and an
attempt by certain members OF that body
10 ahrdge IL Is the assertion Of right
which does not exist and could not exist
without imperillng the independence of
this great branch Of the Federal legisla-
ture. am senator from Kentucky. hut
l am also a senator of the United States.
"ln questions local TO Kentucky. am al
ways ready 10 serve her interests to the
best of my ability. consistent with the
obligations of honesty and fair dealing
When great public interests. affecting
alike every portion Of the Union. are to lee
acted upou. they are 10 De considered from
the standpoint ct the hroadest patriotism
and this | propose 10 do no matter who
may condemn my action or who may ap-
prove IL. There are occasions when con-
sideraticns Of loe8l and party discipline
must FOR the time give nay. and IL sem
ator who acts upon that principle j. 10 BE-
driven froIn his place hy mis- state i.Gisia-
turc Whenever he may contrAveue local
sentiment OF temporary passion. the dig
nifty % The senate VIII soon he . thing cf
the past
a s,runui5as regard for tha division OF
errsrenfs and tire careful ooSerVanc- gf
the boundary fine which separates these
powers IS a cardinal doctrine Of Jefferson
lsn ID rnoCTaeS. Net We htFe here t3e spec
tsste of q controlling majority cf state
legislature boldly OVERSIZE pp.nE thr Hire and
tr the name ~ she party Demanding THAI
I sha3l Surrender uy commission. becaus.
in the3r estimation. I GaVe ceased - be a
Denoersl Thsy seem ignorant OF the
underlying principles of tae historical
T,e-uorrastr parsv. o~ else regardless Z
their obligation ~ ohservs ta0se pr.nci-
pl-s Their rtEh; 20 impeach NV Democ-
rs-s ar eu1 ne upon the defense ~ NY rev
ord - u -rocra. I utterly and absolutely
rtp&dsate-
..Ta8s ruace have thought IL proper to f
say. and wi;h these gsnltrsIs d-ssalss ne
so-s,sUet legislative request for my res.s-
nation
4, 1s.-5 the senate on motion Of DAVIS.
went snto executives session. and a. 40 p.
-. sI}aurnel ua;a Monday
FILTBI >rERtNG IN rHE Hot 81.