The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-05
ATTITUDE OF ANTI-QUAYTTEs.
Cannot Vote for Anyone for Senator
Who Is ChmrEed with Crime

Who Is Charged with Crime.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Jan. 4-The Repub-
Ican senator's and members who signed the
pledge not 10 take part in last nights SEN
atorial CAUCUS organized to-day to keep up
the fight against Senator Quay until after
the Supreme Court has disposed of the Peo-
PIES 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. Gen. William Fl. L. Kontz
Of Somerset. called the meeting to order
and nominated Senator William Flynn, of
Allegheny, for chairman, ard Senator Bay
ard Henry, Of Philadelphia, and Represent
ativc Robert *. Young, of Tioga, for secre-
taries. Senator Flynn said there was no
necessity 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
10 the United States Senate Mr. Flynn
says he also interpreted the pledge binding
the Independents to keep out of the caucus
10 mean that they would not vote for Mr.
quay until the Supreme Court has disposed
OF the conspiracy cases. and that if the SEN
ator was IN no better position after its
tion than he is now they cannot vote for
his reelection Senator-elect David Martin
OF Philadelphia, who will qualify Jan. IT,
when the House and Senate will vole for
senator, cOncurred in what Senator Flynn
said This was his Interpretation of his
pledge, and he would stand upon this Plat
form. committee was appointed to take
charge OF the work of the organization.
The committee tonight issued 70 public
statement outlining the policy and plan of
action of the independents. 1t follows: =
In our present attitude we are prompted
by what we believe to be the best interest
of O8r party and State. We believe that a
Republican senator should and will be elect
cd, and that no combination of circum-
stances can prevent it. We believe that the
or the commonwealth is against taking &C
ton that might result in the election of a
person as United States senator who is
charged with the crime before his inno-
cence is established in court of justice,
and that the failure to determine that ques-
ton prior To this time is due to the act of
the alleged caucus nominee in delaying the
trial, and not to any act of ours. We feel
that in justice TO the public and cur own
sense of self-reSpect and duty. are JuSti-
fled in refusing to be committed 10 any
proposition that might cast a stigma upon
our commonwealth and our own integrity
as citizens and legislators.
Feeling that we are sustained in our
position by the unbiased sentiment of the
State. we deem il unwise to vote for any
person for United States senator who is
duly charged with crime. long is these
charges remain undet armined. We c:jnnot
justify ourselves for voting for any person
for office who is indicted for criminal Of
lenses and who simply alleges that lie is the
victim of a political conspiracy. We believe
that the public as well as ourselves, is rot
interested in the motives of the person max
ing the charges but rather in the truth or
1he falsity of these charges. Entertaining
81 hese views. We submit our action to the
unprecedented judgment of our fellow-citi
Zens."