The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-05
LINDSAY WILL NOT RESIGN
ReDudIQ|eS The Den01d OF The Ken
lucky Legislature.
HIS idea OF jEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Approaching SnIo or the kansas Pa.
cInc Road Discussed tn the House
Value ofthe Opinion of Senator
Harris VnrioUsIy Estimnted-Pris
vate Pension Bills Passed.
HIS idea OF jEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Washington, Feb. 4, 1898


Speaking to question of personal
privilege In the Senate to-day, Mr..
Lindsay, Of Kentucky, commented
sharply upon the motives of the author
and promoters Of the resolution recently
passed by the Legislature of Kentucky
demanding his resignation as Sena tor.
Mr.. Lindsay said in part:
With the relations existing between
Senator ard his constituency this body
has generally no concern. But there
are exceptional cases in which a Sena-
tor may be justied in calling attention
to transa ctons. semi official In their
character which, If left unexplained,
nigh create the impression that he
stands officially charged with conduct
which would render him unworthy of u
seat on this floor and an unfit associate
for his fellow Senators.
hold in my hands a paper purport-
Ing to be an official copy of resolution
recently adopted by the two houses of
the Kentucky General Assembly, and
which it is due to myIef and to the
Senate shall be fully understood" He
then had the resolutions read at the
clerks desk and continued:
While this processes t6 request my
resignation, Il Is couched in language
which disregirds the ordinary ameni-
lies of life, and is. in effect, a demand
tnat l shall surrender my place in order
20 create vacancy and thus make
room for some one holding political
views In harmony with the author and
promoters OF the resolution. l desire to
protest ag2!na: this usurpation of un-
granted power, and inaSmuch as the
resolution has been made 4 matter Of
record on the journals of the two houses
OF the State Legislature, to which I
have no access. | propose to give /: n
place on the records of the Senate. and
in that connection make such comments
as deem necessary and proper under
the circumstances
1T is 20 be observed that In the ar
raignment which prcceies the resolu-
ton there IL no charge that / have ever
d.sobeyed the expressed will of the peo-
pie of Kentucky. The substance of The
complaint is That I am opposed TO the
free and unlimited coinage of silver at
the ratio of l6 20 ], and that / opposed
the election Of the nominee Of the late
Chicago Convention, and by so doilS;
betrayed the trus; reDosed in me by my
constituency.
Il shall not discuss the Presidential
campaign of 1926. II Is not necessa I ry
to do 81 to meet the charge that be-
traycd the trust of my constituents by
opposing the election OF the Chicago
nominees. My constituency is made up
or The people of Kentucky, and that
people voted against those nominees,
and twelve on: of thirteen of the cleo
toral votes of Kentucky were registered
againSt them. If 10 be opposed to the
free coinage of silver and for maintain
Ing the parity of our gold and silver
dollars is to he deemed betrayal Of
trust. then may be pardoned for call
Ing attention 10 The history of current
politics In Kentucky from 1895, when l
was first elected 10 the Senate, up 10 The
time Of my second election"
Mr. Lindsay then defined ha position
on the financial question and quo ed
facts to make Il clear that he was the
representative OF the whole people Of
Kentucky, and no; In any sense the
agent az the Kentucky Legislature.
Above all he was, he said. Il Senator
for the whole American people, and "a
such would perform his duties and east
his vote in accordance with his convic-
tlons and with the dictates of his con-
science.
In conclusion. Mr.. Lindsay said: "a
scrunulous regard for the division of
powers between the State and Federal
governments, and the careful observ-
ance OF the boundary line which sepa-
ihkes' tioSe powers, Is 4 cardinal doc
trine of Jeffcrsonian Democracy. We;
we have here the spectacle of a controll-
ing majority of n State Legislature
boldly overstepping that line of demar-
cation, and in the name OF Democracy
demanding that ! shall surrender my
commission because in their estima ton
] have ceased 70 be n Democrat. They
seem ignorant Of the underlying prin-
ciples Of the historic Democratic party.
or else regardless of their obligation TO
observe those principles. Their right to
impeach my Democracy. or TO put me
upon the defense Of my record as a
Democrat, | utterly and absolutely re-
pudiate.
This much | have thought Il proper
to say. and with these remarks dis
miss the so-callcd legislative request for
my resignation"
Shortly after Mr.. Lindsay concluded
the Senate, on motion Of MIR. Davis;
Winnc2ota), chairman OF the Foreign
Relations Committee, went into cSacu-
tive session. No business of importance
was transacted In the brief open ses-
sion. At 3:i0 p. m. the Senate adj
journcd Until Monday.
HOUSE.
This was private bill day in tho
House but by systematic fillbusternc
the private calendar. containing bills