The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-06

VI Getting of Republican Antf.Quay
LEGISLATORS - Their Address to the

M eering of Republican Antf.Quay
LLegislators Their Address to the
Public
Harrisburg, Pa. January 4.-1he re-
publican senator's and members who
signed the pledge not to TAX part in
last nights senatorial caucus organized
this morning at the Commonwealth
Senator Quay until after the supreme
court has disposed of the Peoples
bank conspiracy cases. The meeting
was attended by nearly all the signers
and two others who did not sign, but
kept away from the caucus.
Senator Flynn said there was no ne
cessity for holding a senatorial caucus
last night and that SO long as those
who stayed away stood together there
could be no election of a United States
senator. What he wanted was more
light on the charges pending against
Senator Quay, to ascertain whether he
is a proper person to be elected to the
United States senate. Mr.. Flynn also
said that he interpreted the pledge
binding the Independents to keep out
of the caucus to mean that they would
not vote for Senator Quay until the
supreme court has disposed of the con-
spiracy cases and that if the senator
was in no better position after its ac-
ton than he is now they cannot vote
for his reelection.
Senator-elect David Martin, of Phila-
delphia, c%oncurred in what Senator
Flynn had said. This was his interpre-
tation of his pledge and he would stand
upon this platform.
Senators Flynn and Weller, of Bed
rord, and Representatives Coray, of
LuZerne; Savage, of Philadelphia;
/ Moore, of Butler, and Young were ap-
pointed a committee to take charge Of
the work Of the organization.
The committee issued the following
address this evening:
"To the Republicans Of Pennsylvania:
1--WE, the undersigned committee, ap-
pointed by, and representing the alb
sentees of the alleged republican eau
Gus, desiring that our fellow republic
cans throughout the state should I'M
derstand clearly the motives which an
innate us in u present position with
reference to the United States sena-
torship hereby briefly set forth our
reasons:
SIN our present attitude, we are
prompted by what we believe to be
the best interest of our party and state.
We believe that a republican senator
should and will be elected n that no
combination of circumstance can pre-
vent it. We believe that the unques-
toned sentiment Of the republicans OF
the commonwealth is against taking &C
ton that might result in the election
of a person as United States senator
who is charged with crime before his
innocence is established in a court OF
justice and that the failure to determine
hat question prior to this time is due
to the act of the alleged caucus nomi-
nee in delaying the trial and not to any
act of ours. We feel that in justice tt
the public and our own sense of self:
respect, we are justified in refusing tt
be committed to any proposition tina
might cast a stigma upOn our common
wealth, and our integrity as citizen:
and legislators.
Feeling hat we are sustained in Jul
position by the unbiased sentiment OF
the state, we deem it unwise to vote
for any person for United States sena.
tol VIM - July cudrSeu WIFI crime 81
long as those charges remain unde
termined. We cannot justify ourselve!
for voting for any person for offict
who is indicted for criminal offenses
and who simply alleges that he is tn
victim Of a political conspiracy. W.
believe that the public, as we'll as our
selves, is not interested in the motive
of the person making the charges, blu
rather in the truth or falsity of thes,
charges.
Entertaining these views, we sub
nit our action to the unprejudicet
judgment of our fellow citizens"